posted March 08, 2000 12:14 AM            

Late

Lobo

FACTS ON ORIMETEN
A very misunderstood drug
Blocks all steroid synthesis therefore not useful without anabolics Steroids produced by the body can be anabolic, e.g. testosterone or catabolic, e.g. cortisone. Cortisone is produced by the adrenal glands in both Men and Women. Testosterone is produced largely in the testes of man and in much smaller amounts in the adrenals of females.

THE MAIN ACTION OF ORIMETEN IS TO STOP THE CONVERSION OF ANDROGENS TO OESTROGENS
Most female breast cancers are made worst by the presence of oestrogen, hence orimeten is used as a breast cancer therapy, primarily.
The traditional argument for its use in bodybuilding is to block the catabolic cortisone; the drug is often referred to as an anti-catabolic, but when anabolic agents are given with Orimeten I believe any benefit is likely to be gained from its anti aromatising action, i.e. it works similar to that of Proviron, in this instance.

The dosage is usually preached as 250 to 500mg; i.e. 1 to 2 tablets a day on a 2-day on 2 off system. It preached that this would not affect the natural production of testosterone, but this is an inaccurate belief. If the person is going to use this drug then the 2 day on 2 off regimen can be applied.

* There is no role for the use of Orimeten being used alone
* The benefit of this drug to body builders is probably mainly from its anti aromatase activity
* Drug use should be limited to a maximum of 3 weeks
* Should not be used in females.
* Has a list of side effects which can occur suddenly, consult if unsure.

I have left the fact sheet unaltered. My investigations in to Orimeten were prompted when I first became aware that body builders were using the drug. I was particularly interested in anti catabolic processes, as it became obvious that if they were halted or slowed then the anabolic processes would have more effect. On the face of it this is beautifully simple and all a person would need to do is find the necessary pharmacology and hey presto. My medical knowledge of the cortical and other systems were, however, ringing alarm bells for the following reasons: I will agree that lowering catabolism is, in a way, increasing anabolism. The question I was asking myself was, to what extent is this safe? At what point would this work against a person. You must understand that increasing anabolism is not the same as decreasing catabolism because the factors involved in catabolic processes have many functions. If we take the popular catabolic cortical (the adrenal gland steroid hormone) as our main catabolic factor for this article:

Cortisol's main action in the body is not to degrade muscle tissue. It is true that in elevated amounts, especially over ext6nded periods, that cortical would contribute to muscle catabolism. In the list of functions of cortical, muscle stripping is down on the list. More prominent actions of cortical are as an anti-inflammatory agent (a steroidal anti-inflammatory). This is why drugs like Aspirin are termed non-steroidal anti inflanimatories. Cortical is catabolic for inflammatory material. In very basic terms cortical helps breakdown and remove inflammatory cells, factors and biological debris from a site of inflammation; let me explain. If you receive an injury, infection, burn, etc. in any area of the body there is a movement of inflammatory cells, factors and mediators to that area, most of which are part of the immune system. They deal with the damage being caused by fighting infection and clearing up the disorder that is present. This is often a necessary action in the overall healing process, although admittedly if this becomes extended then the healing process can be slowed or halted. This is when it is necessary to remove the inflammation with pharmacological means. Normally our own mechanisms will do this, yes you guessed it, cortical has a key role in this anti-inflammatory process. Damage occurs in the body by means of infection and inflammation constantly. Mostly we are unaware of this because the immune system and mechanisms above deal with it before it bothers us. Cortical and other factors come along and make sure the debris is cleared and that the processes dealing with disorder do not last too long.

Right back to Orimeten and catabolic suppression. It must be clear that if cortical is suppressed then so is its role in the above functions. The inflammatory, immune and anti-inflammatory functions are not minor events. Indeed, our well being and life is dependent upon them. I agree that suppressing cortical is a way of decreasing catabolism and therefore growing muscle, but as these other important events are affected, at what point does suppressing catabolism through cortical suppression work against you. Surely if you are not going to deal with your cellular debris and clearing up processes of the body then you can not clear the way for health and growth. I therefore believe that some catabolic processes are necessary for correct growth. Looking at virtually every biological system can back this up. I would not insult you and expect you to just believe me; I will give you examples.

Our first example of catabolic processes being necessary for growth and development are seen in the developing embryo. Many cells are formed as a type of structural Framework that later on have no function and need to be removed by catabolism. This is seen during the Formation of the first embryonic structures and right through development e.g. the forming limbs. Cellular wastage is a large part of the developing embryo, Without which we would never be born; indeed the human race would not exist. Examples are clearly evident in the adult; e.g. a severed peripheral nerve must make its way back to its target organ, or other nerve. The mechanism is complicated, so much so that it can not occur within the brain or spinal cord. Nerves in the periphery find their way to their targets through a type of constructed cellular tunnel. The part of the nerve distant from the severing or damage degenerates and leaves cellular debris. This debris has to be cleared by means of a catabolic process before the new nerve can grow through the constructed path. Moreover, once the nerve has re grown the pathway structures can not remain in their current form. A catabolic process occurs that structurally reorders the cells and allows for correct functioning. Embryo formation and nerve growth are dynamic examples of necessary catabolism, there are many others. One could easily argue that the catabolism of glycogen for energy is necessary to provide the means to train and therefore partake in a process that leads to the eventual anabolism of muscle.

The process of training is, in the short term, catabolic. Muscle tissue is broken and then, providing the nutrients are present is rebuilt larger and stronger. The chaos caused within a muscle directly after it has been trained is huge. There is cellular and molecular debris that must be cleared before anabolism can occur. Lactate must be dealt with as "the oxygen debt" incurred during training is paid off (see later articles on cellular metabolism). Inflammatory mediators need to be removed, as explained above. The processes of cell and tissue inflammation and damage are, as explained, occurring all the time; in joints and in muscles. You need catabolic processes to function and remain well. You need to remain well and injury free to be able to train and to grow. In my opinion it is ludicrous to directly take cortical suppressants. Since I had this thought I have done some searching around. I have conferred with some of my medical colleagues and they agree with me. Moreover, I have had numerous reports from people that have claimed they have had injuries and joint pains more than would be expected by chance alone, when they were taking cortical suppression. The manufacturers of Orimeten have also advised me that the use of this drug for suppressing cortical is ill advised.

You will see from the fact sheet why I believe people perceive a derived benefit from this drug. After all it is an anti aromatase. Use of it will lead to lower oestrogen levels and this is beneficial from a cosmetic body building point of view. I don't want you to misunderstand my intentions. I want you all to be as big and successful in this sport as you can. I do want you to realise that some things work, some do not and some things work for reasons other than is originally thought. I also want you to realise that most of the current pharmacological beliefs in this sport are spawn from unknown sources.

There are people in body building that make their living from being what is commonly known now as a Guru. What nonsense is this. What qualifies them for this position, certainly, in most cases, not an education. Kerry Kayes is an experienced
body builder and a man of the world. I have never heard him speak nonsense. He never speaks about subjects he is not sure of. Like myself he is never afraid to say I don't know. These guru figures we hear of have to bring out new theories to keep their greatness. Who would keep buying their books with the same information in them? Most body builders want to hear the secrets. There are no secrets. The best body builders in the world have the simple approach. The greatest breakthroughs in bodybuilding have been nutritionally, believe me. If there were a secret I would know and I would tell it.

To get back to the point, growing muscle is a battle. You need to keep anabolic and you need to have few catabolic periods. The catabolic effects that need to be combated are the ones that are derived from under eating, over training, under training, getting vexed, etc. These are the damaging catabolic actions that can be warded off with the correct training, sleep, nutrition (e.g. plenty of good protein) and an approach to life that enables you to stay calm and focussed, with goals. Some catabolic actions are necessary and I hope I have now convinced you of this. The suppression of cortical to aid bodybuilding is a naive and one-dimensional thought action. It does not account for the complex way the body works and the numerous interactions of different bodily systems. Think of the bigger picture with things, get all the details, if you don't know where to start, phone me on the technical helpline. I will help you by providing you with real information. Information you can use to make informed decisions about your life and bodybuilding. Believe it or not I have kept this article simple and short. I would be only too pleased to discuss this or any other matter though.