Mike Arnold
Registered
YK11: SARM, Steroid, or Myostatin Inhibitor?
By: Mike Arnold
* The following is an advertisement for YK11 at IronMag Research
* The ONLY Genuine, Oral Anabolic Steroid Still Legally Available
* Powerful Anabolic Effects
* Imbued With Potent Myostatin Inhibiting Properties
* Non-Methylated (no liver toxicity)
* Mild Side Effect Profile (greatly reduced side effects in comparison to traditional AAS)
* Makes An Excellent Stacker With S.A.R.Ms (this combo can rival the muscle building capabilities of mid-level steroid stacks)
With new S.A.R.M technology being developed at such a rapid pace it can be difficult to keep up with the latest advancements. This is especially true when products classified as S.A.R.Ms are not S.A.R.Ms at all, but designer steroids in disguise. Although having additional steroids at our disposal is not necessarily a bad thing, such deception can make it difficult to separate fact from fiction, further muddying the waters in an already poorly defined market. Up until this point the only factor responsible for differentiating steroids from S.A.R.Ms has been their molecular make-up, as they lack the typical 4-ring structure characteristic of AAS as a whole. All previous S.A.R.M?s, including Ostarine, LGD-4033, S4, etc, have shared this universal trait, without which the boundaries between S.A.R.M and steroid become blurred.
Because no nomenclature currently exists for S.A.R.M classification, some researchers have taken it upon themselves to decide which compounds qualify as S.A.R.Ms and which ones don?t, using a drug?s effect profile as the primary basis for determination. This would allow virtually any steroid with a high degree of selectivity for predetermined traits to meet S.A.R.M criteria. Unfortunately, this idea has already taken root within the scientific community, with chemicals such as oxandrolone, nandrolone, and even trenbolone having been referred to as ?S.A.R.M-like? by those hoping to capitalize on the sale of these now off-patent drugs.
However, this would all be a moot point if not for the development of YK11; a testosterone derivative which is falsely being marketed as a S.A.R.M. Originally created at Toho University in Japan, this is one of those straight to market drugs we know very little about, as the total absence of both human and animal testing has made it difficult, if not impossible to determine exactly how it functions from both a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic standpoint. With such studies being critical for establishing a chemical?s ideal dosing range, potential toxicity, potency, bioavailability, and a whole host of other information, we are still largely in the dark with YK11. This has forced us to rely?in no small measure?on anecdotal evidence as a means of identifying this drug?s effect profile. However, with a relatively small number of independent user reviews currently available for evaluation and comparison, we have yet to come to a general consensus regarding even the most basic aspects of the drug?s character.
But here?s what we do know about YK11. 1.) It is a partial androgen receptor agonist. 2.) It functions as a myostatin inhibitor. Regarding number one, most of you know that steroids/S.A.R.Ms stimulate muscle growth mainly by attaching to and activating the androgen receptor. In the vast majority of cases, steroids/S.A.R.Ms are what?s known as full androgen receptor agonists, as they elicit a maximal response of the androgen receptor upon occupation. On the other hand, partial agonists activate the androgen receptor with only partial efficacy and may even display some antagonistic activity (an effect common to partial agonists). This means that partial agonists could potentially block or dull the effects of full agonists (other steroids/S.A.R.Ms) at the androgen receptor.
Because of this, some have proposed that using YK11 in concert with supraphysiological doses of AAS may lead to a reduction in muscle growth. However, this belief assumes that YK11 is unable, in all cases, to activate the AR with equal potency (note: partial agonists are not necessarily weaker from a myotrophic standpoint). It also assumes that the individual is in a state of androgen receptor saturation?because even if YK11 did knock some AAS off their receptor sites, they would just re-attach at the first available opening. Still, when it comes to muscle growth, there are no known advantages associated with being a partial agonist, at least not when it comes to steroids/S.A.R.Ms. Therefore, we must acknowledge the potential for a worst case scenario, which is that YK11 might have certain adverse effects at the androgen receptor.
However, before you write YK11 off as another failed experiment in a long line of S.A.R.M failures, keep in mind that YK11?s ability to initiate growth via AR activation was never its primary selling point. What I find really cool about this stuff, and what sets it apart from most other steroids/S.A.R.Ms is its ability to function as a myostatin inhibitor. More specifically, it reduces the effectiveness of myostatin by increasing the production of Follistatin?an antagonistic protein that directly stops myostatin from executing it inhibitory effect on muscle growth. This effect actually isn?t unique, as many steroids function as myostatin inhibitors to one degree or another. However, what is unique is the potency with which YK11 works to combat this muscle destroying molecule. In one study, YK11 was shown to increase Follistatin production several times higher than DHT, which is itself a potent inhibitor of myostatin. With myostatin playing such a prominent role in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass, any drug capable of elevating Follistatin levels to this extent should appropriately garner the attention of bodybuilders worldwide.
Over the next 1-2 years we should start seeing more user reviews in conjunction with verifiable US lab work. While this will allow us to draw more reliable conclusions regarding the effect of YK11 in bodybuilders, current user experiences are encouraging. Although there are some inconsistencies among the available reports (which is to be expected in the absence of confirmable mass spec testing), there are also numerous commonalities. One of the most frequently reported effects is an increase in muscle fullness/pumps, with many individuals claiming that YK11 exceeds even oral AAS in this regard. While I can?t vouch for the truthfulness of this claim, as a previous user of genuine Follistatin, I can say with absolute certainty that this is a primary feature of this particular myostatin inhibitor. Given YK11?s ability significantly increase Follistatin levels, I wouldn?t be surprised if there was a direct connection between the two.
For those of you who decide to jump on the bandwagon now, please keep in mind that we do not yet know what its half-life or optimal dosing range is. However, most bodybuilders have elected to remain within the 10-40 mg/day range, while breaking up their total daily dose into 2-3 equally divided doses?an approach which has thus far proven successful. Given YK11?s ability to significantly increase Follistatin production, along with its relatively weak activity at the androgen receptor, it?s likely that its myotrophic effects are mediated primarily through myostatin inhibition. If so, this would make YK11 a solid addition to just about any PED program, aside from those which already incorporate myostatin inhibitors. In my opinion, YK11 is one of the most interesting compounds to hit the market in recent years, but at this point most bodybuilders appear to be unaware, or at least unconcerned with its existence. I expect that to change in the days ahead, as we continue to learn more about it.
Get YK11 Here: https://www.ironmagresearch.com/products/yk-11/
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