We have found regular cardiovascular exercise to be the most beneficial protocol for lowering high blood pressure in patients. He attributed the damage to his heart as the result of his own experimental steroid use (when creating Dianabol). Coincidentally, Dr. Ziegler, in his later days, suffered from heart disease, eventually dying from a heart attack in 1983. Consequently, this can increase the chances of a heart attack or an ischemic stroke. LDL is the negative kind of cholesterol that can clog arteries when high, resulting in a spike in blood pressure. Trenbolone also has strong fat-burning properties (39); thus, we have seen it effectively used in cutting cycles. Trenbolone is a powerful steroid, producing large gains in muscularity and strength. This isn’t ideal, as more water will cause even more bloating and viscous blood, potentially exacerbating blood pressure. A bodybuilder’s goal when cutting is often to achieve maximum muscle definition and a small waist; thus, Dianabol will counteract this. We have seen users abstain from lifting weights and still see noticeable improvements in body composition (being sedentary) from Dianabol use. The only other factor that might lead to subcutaneous fat gain is if Dbol users adopt a calorie surplus diet to maximize results when bulking. Research shows that taking 25–50 mg of clomiphene per day, or every other day, is effective at restoring natural testosterone production (21). Some users will simply wait for their natural testosterone production to recover after using Dianabol. Dianabol users can also experience low libido, decreased well-being, depression, lower levels of energy, and erectile dysfunction when testosterone levels plummet. The risk of gynecomastia from Dianabol is due to aromatization, i.e., the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. For this reason, trenbolone’s considered the superior steroid in regard to aesthetics. Dianabol and trenbolone are two contrasting compounds, yet both are used during bulking cycles thanks to their anabolism. However, there are considerable drawbacks, as it can amplify some of the side effects experienced with Dianabol. Thus, there is not much benefit in adding creatine to your Dianabol cycle. Furthermore, Dianabol causes significant extracellular water retention, causing bloating and a loss in muscle definition. Thus, a Dianabol cycle is likely to cause an increase in visceral fat and a decrease in subcutaneous fat. Dianabol will spike testosterone levels (initially), which is a powerful fat-burning hormone. Thus, gynecomastia and water retention (bloating) are less likely to occur with the addition of Proviron. It also binds to SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) with a high affinity, increasing free testosterone levels. Proviron does this by increasing the metabolites of other steroids, such as Dianabol. The reason why oral steroids become less active when taken in conjunction with food is that they’re fat-soluble compounds. Elite female bodybuilders can take high doses of 10–20 mg; however, such users can expect to experience masculinization effects. Gym-goers and bodybuilders seeking even bigger muscle gains commonly take higher doses, ranging from 30 to 50 mg per day. Upon its release in 1958, Dr. Ziegler recommended an original dosage of 5–15 mg per day. Dianabol is somewhat androgenic; thus, it’s not a common steroid taken among women, mainly due to virilization symptoms occurring. Research also confirms this, with 51.9% of men experiencing muscle loss or muscle tone when taking finasteride (24). DHT is a significantly more powerful androgen than testosterone, with it binding 3-5x more effectively to androgen receptors. Dianabol will raise blood pressure significantly, and it does this mainly in two different ways. Some side effects are severe and potentially life-threatening, while others are mild and more tolerable. Dr. Ziegler later regretted giving Dianabol to athletes, who were carelessly overdosing and abusing the steroid he created. This spike in vascularity is due to Dianabol’s vasodilation effect, where blood vessels dilate and become larger in size, thus being positioned closer to the surface of the skin. This is when the veins become more visible, often seen spiraling through a person’s muscles, resembling a human roadmap.
