Anavar was first introduced to the world in 1964, when the Searle Company released the first version of the drug called Oxandrolone. Although not as potent as Dianabol, the other popular steroid at the time, Oxandrolone quickly became very popular with bodybuilders and powerlifters, because of its low risk of side effects. Oxandrolone remained at the top of the best-seller lists until the late 1980s when Searle discontinued producing the drug. As expected prices began to skyrocket as the remaining stocks of the drug dried up. Then in the mid 1990s researchers began to experiment with the drug as a way to combat the wasting effects of AIDS. The results were so promising that BTG, a US-based company started manufacturing the drug under the name Oxandrin. Despite the new name Oxandrin, most bodybuilders still use the name Anavar.

Anavar in sports

Men find that it doesnt carry the same risk of developing gynecomastia (the swelling of the breast tissue) and women like that it doesnt produce such side effects as a deepening of the voice, hair growth, and sex organ masculinizing. For these reasons Oxandrolone is probably the most requested drug by female athletes.

As a drug that doesnt cause water retention or produce excess estrogen, Oxandrolone is very popular as a precontest cutting drug and very useful for bringing out definition and vascularity at contest time. In fact more bodybuilders use Anavar for reducing body fat than building muscle mass. Another benefit of the steroid is that it seems to have appetite suppressant properties. This makes it easier for users to control calorie-cravings and stay strict while on a precontest diet.

While bodybuilders primarily use Oxandrolone for its great effects on fat loss and moderate effects on muscle building, powerlifters use the drug for strength. Soon after its introduction in the mid sixties, athletes noticed that the drug produced tremendous strength gains without a noticeable increase in bodyweight. These are two characteristics that make the drug so popular with competitive powerlifters and weightlifters as both sports have weight classes. The exact mechanism of action for this is unknown but it is believed that Oxandrolone stimulates the body to synthesize more phosphocreatine. Phosphocreatine is used in the production of ATP the bodys primary short-term energy molecule. Increased ATP levels increase an individuals short-term anaerobic performance, the type needed for such explosive actions as bench pressing and clean and jerking.

Are there risks?

Despite the continued popularity of oxandrolone, you shouldnt be in a rush to go out and buy the drug. As with any steroid there will be side effects; maybe not as pronounced as say Dianabol or Anadrol-50, but theyll be there nevertheless. As a 17-alkylated steroid (modified to survive passage through the liver and digestive system), prolonged use of Anavar may cause liver abnormalities.

Anavar may also be addictive. Lets face it the fat-burning properties alone will making it difficult for users to stop taking the drug.

Finally even if the drug was side effect free, steroids are illegal substances. You dont want to spend your days sharing a cell with some 300-pound guy named bubba.

Legal Alternatives!

If you want to experience the same results as oxandrolone without the risk of side effects or jail time, there is an alternative. They are called legal steroid analogs and they are fast gaining a reputation as the best way to increase muscle mass and lose bodyfat.

The previous information has been created by experts to help you increase your knowledge base about anabolic steroids and bodybuilding supplements. Be knowledgeable. Be informed. Make the right choice!

Bob Howard 03/24, 2006