5 Androstenediol (5-AD) Review - Increase Your Muscle Growth and Speed Up Recovery
5 Androstenediol or 5-AD is an anabolic testosterone precursor a lot like androstenedione. An enzyme in the liver converts it to testosterone, so it’s only one-step away. See the conversion process for the production of testosterone below.
Pregnenolone > DHEA > 5 Androstenediol >Testosterone
Therefore, 5AD by itself is not a muscle builder. Only after the liver converts it to testosterone do you start to notice huge muscle gains.
5 androstenediol has the ability to increase muscle growth, increase energy, and speed recovery times. It also intensifies the effects of norandrostenedione and androstenedione. Studies confirm that it translates to testosterone at a rate of 16%, compared to the 6% of Andro and 19-Norandro.
5 Androstenediol Benefits
One on the main benefits of 5-AD it may put forth anabolic effects in its unconverted state. This means that it might not have to be converted into testosterone for you to benefit from the anabolic effects.
This is very important because large portions of all prohormones are not converted in your body. However, with 5-AD the unconverted portion may possibly be anabolic enough for your muscle tissue.
Here are some addition benefits of 5-AD worth mentioning:
- It binds to receptor sites making estrogen futile for normal production.
- It blocks cortisol production, which is a stress hormone that is responsible for muscle catabolism.
- It protects the body from infectious disease by contributing to a higher level of immune protection.
Those who benefit most from 5-AD supplemental prohormones are those who are into bodybuilding, weight training, and other challenging sports. Because of its incredible testosterone producing effects being only one-step away, it has emerged as an important muscle-building supplement.
5 Androstenediol Side Effects
Since it converts directly to testosterone, it has some of the same anabolic side effects as testosterone. These consist of deepening of the voice, hair growth, acne, and male pattern baldness.
Since 5-AD must be converted, the side effects are generally not as distinct when matched up to direct testosterone (steroids). Because of its high androgenic properties, it is not a recommended prohormone supplement for women.
Technical Specifications of 5-Diol or 5AD (5-androsten-3,17-diol)
- Target Hormone: Testosterone
- Molecular name of target hormone: 4-androstene-3-one,17ß-ol
- Target conversion: low (0.19 %)
- Conversion enzyme: 3-ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3HSD)
- DHT conversion: None
- Estrogenic effects: High, no aromatization from compound, only from target hormone, but acts as an estrogen agonist
5AD is not tops on my list of recommended prohormones. It’s clearly the inferior out of all the other diol products available. However, it does have its good points. For example, its ability to enhance the conversion rate of other diol prohormones and it can elevate the conversion enzyme 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.
A very effective stack for you to try is 5-Androstenediol, Norandrostenediol, and tribulus terrestris (Tribulus terrestris works to increase your own body’s natural hormone levels). This consecutively produces an outstanding muscle-building stack.
Recommended dosage for 5 Androdiol are between 100 mg and 200 mg per day. Do not exceed 200 mg. Many bodybuilders supplement with 100 mg twice per day.
More Prohormone Reviews
- Prohormone Side Effects
- 1 Androstenediol
- 1AD Side Effects and FAQ
- ErgoPharm 1 AD Review
- Andro Nitrate Fuel Review
- 1 Testosterone
- 4 Androstenediol
- 5 Androstenediol
- Androstenedione
- DHEA - Dehydroepiandrosterone