Do Steroids AGE You Faster? The Unseen Truth Behind The Gains

Summary

In this conversation, the speaker reflects on the evolution of their approach to bodybuilding and fitness, comparing their experiences in their 20s to their current lifestyle at 41. They discuss the physiological changes over time, the role of performance-enhancing drugs, and the impact of steroids and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on long-term health. The speaker touches on recovery, energy, and stamina differences, as well as the effects of diet, including a carnivore diet, on cholesterol levels. The conversation ultimately explores balancing health, aging, and the pursuit of fitness goals while considering the risks of enhanced performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bodybuilding in the past involved a single focus on training, but using steroids or extensive pharmacology, which poses health risks, isn't sustainable long-term.
• 😀 Aging impacts recovery, stamina, and energy, making it harder to train at the same intensity as in younger years, even with enhancements like steroids.
• 😀 At age 41, hormonal changes, mitochondrial efficiency, and the impact of years of stress on the body make recovery and performance harder than when in the 20s.
• 😀 In the past, high stamina and recovery allowed for intense training, manual labor, and late nights, whereas now balancing multiple priorities, including a business, has shifted focus.
• 😀 Physiologically, aging may impact cellular efficiency, blood flow, and mitochondrial function, leading to decreased stamina and endurance despite the use of steroids.
• 😀 Despite high testosterone levels from performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), the body still experiences less stamina and endurance than when naturally younger.
• 😀 The use of steroids and pharmacology in bodybuilding can lead to oxidative stress, potentially damaging DNA, and shortening lifespan if not carefully managed.
• 😀 Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) can be beneficial for aging men as it helps prevent the effects of declining testosterone, promoting better energy, metabolism, and muscle function.
• 😀 The effectiveness of TRT is dependent on lifestyle choices, with factors like diet, exercise, and oxidative stress having a significant impact on health outcomes.
• 😀 Excessive saturated fat intake combined with TRT and a carnivore diet may result in unhealthy lipid profiles, leading to increased cholesterol levels, and may not be sustainable long-term.

Q & A

What is the main concern of the speaker about bodybuilding and steroids?

The speaker is concerned about the impact of excessive steroid use on health. They express a desire to avoid relying heavily on pharmacology to maintain bodybuilding performance, as they acknowledge the long-term health risks of such practices.

How does the speaker's approach to bodybuilding change as they age?

As the speaker ages, their priorities shift. While bodybuilding was once their main focus, they now have other responsibilities, such as managing a YouTube channel, a family, and business ventures. They also recognize that their body’s ability to recover and endure the same intense workouts has diminished over time.

What are the key differences the speaker notes between their physical condition in their 20s versus now?

In their 20s, the speaker had more stamina, endurance, and recovery capabilities, even while engaging in intense training and less sleep. Now, at 41, they experience less stamina, slower recovery, and reduced energy, despite being on performance-enhancing drugs like testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

What physiological factors contribute to the speaker’s decreased performance over time?

The speaker suggests that factors like metabolic changes, hormonal shifts, and possibly cellular inefficiencies may contribute to the decline in physical performance. They also speculate that accumulated stress on their body might have made recovery less efficient over the years.

Does the speaker believe that steroids always shorten life expectancy?

The speaker believes steroids can potentially shorten life due to their effects on oxidative stress and DNA damage. However, they emphasize that TRT, when used properly, may not have the same harmful effects, as it addresses the natural decline in testosterone levels with age and can actually have anti-aging benefits.

How does the speaker differentiate between TRT and more extensive steroid use?

The speaker differentiates TRT from steroid abuse by stating that TRT is a controlled, preventative measure to address declining testosterone levels with age, while steroid abuse involves taking high doses to achieve extreme muscle growth, which carries greater health risks and potentially accelerates aging.

What lifestyle factors impact the health of someone using TRT or steroids?

The speaker highlights that lifestyle choices such as diet (e.g., high saturated fat intake), smoking, drinking, and general health habits can affect the outcomes of TRT. A poor lifestyle can exacerbate the negative effects of TRT, while a healthy lifestyle can enhance its benefits.

What was the speaker’s experience with using TRT alongside a carnivore diet?

The speaker shares that their experience with combining TRT and a carnivore diet led to poor lipid markers, with dangerously high cholesterol levels. They suggest that while TRT may offer benefits, combining it with a high intake of saturated fats, as found in a carnivore diet, is not sustainable for long-term health.

What dietary changes did the speaker make to improve their cholesterol after using the carnivore diet?

After experiencing high cholesterol levels on the carnivore diet, the speaker switched to a diet that included more vegetables and less saturated fat. This change helped bring their cholesterol levels back into a healthier range.

What is the speaker’s overall stance on using testosterone therapy as you age?

The speaker supports using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as an anti-aging measure, particularly for older individuals experiencing a natural decline in testosterone. They would consider continuing TRT indefinitely, as long as their health allows, but acknowledge that the approach should be individualized based on health status and age.