Milk Thistle, Does It Affect Oral AAS Efficacy ??

Hi Guys

just a quick question about some opinions ive heard/read and decided to bring it to the Pro's(you guys )

so some guys are saying or even worried about taking their liver supplements at the same time as their AAS orals with the idea that the liver supplement would hinder the oral AAS efficacy due to the liver being able to break it down more effectively.

some guys have split their times to something like; oral AAS then 4hours later take their liver supplement to try get the most out of their aas.

Any input from the forum would be great to see what everyone else has to say about this.

personally id sacrifice 10% aas efficacy to save my liver!!

GrilledHake wrote: personally id sacrifice 10% aas efficacy to save my liver!!

That right there.

This study was published and then some steroid forum guru found it and decided that it conclusively means that silymarin/milk thistle will kill your gains. Next thing every bodybuilding forum caught this like the common cold. Could there be some truth to it? Yes. Any conclusive evidence? No. Any reliable anecdotal evidence? I've yet to see any. Have I been unhappy with any cycles where I used milk thistle. No.

Muscleaddict wrote:

GrilledHake wrote: personally id sacrifice 10% aas efficacy to save my liver!!

That right there.

This study was published and then some steroid forum guru found it and decided that it conclusively means that silymarin/milk thistle will kill your gains. Next thing every bodybuilding forum caught this like the common cold. Could there be some truth to it? Yes. Any conclusive evidence? No. Any reliable anecdotal evidence? I've yet to see any. Have I been unhappy with any cycles where I used milk thistle. No.

Ai, so milk thistle is ok. I was avoiding it 'cause previously I read Essentiale was the most trusted (highly regarded) liver supp, but it's quite pricey. Good to know milk thistle-containing-supps can be considered. Cheers for the analysis MA.

Muscleaddict wrote:

GrilledHake wrote: personally id sacrifice 10% aas efficacy to save my liver!!

That right there.

This study was published and then some steroid forum guru found it and decided that it conclusively means that silymarin/milk thistle will kill your gains. Next thing every bodybuilding forum caught this like the common cold. Could there be some truth to it? Yes. Any conclusive evidence? No. Any reliable anecdotal evidence? I've yet to see any. Have I been unhappy with any cycles where I used milk thistle. No.

Milk Thistle Pharmacology

According to this study Milk Thistle does indeed inhibit the nuclear factor kappa B (an androgen receptor) to some degree. As with all Anabolic Steroids there is limited evidence to directly link a causative effect, which leaves us with limited data and theories. To me, being certain that a compiund does affect the androgen receptors says there is a igh probability that it will affect gains. With the anecdotal evidence on cycle it begs the question: "Sure you are happy, but what if your cycle would have been even better without it?". If milk thistle was indeed a requirement to avoid liver problems then the 10% or 20% or so would be an acceptable sacrifice, but there are other compounds out there that give us no reason to suspect interfering with gains and that do the job well. Why risk 10% of your gains?

what other liver protection products are you referring to here ? Liv52? essentiale? any suggestions would be great.

if adding a 10 or 20% to gains or efficacy without causing liver damage then im all for it....

I don't buy it making a significant difference. I've done many cycles with and without to compare. I'm just speaking for myself and my experience. I've read the studies and the science behind steroid gains is too complex to come to a definitive conclusion.

I never use to in my younger years and never had an issue, is liver protection essential if your on a cycle and not using orals?
Now that I'm all grown up I do I'm just asking?