Catabolic Blocking Agents
During my research for my article "Anabolic Steroid, Part II," I came across a new theory that was too exciting not to report. This month's topic is not yet a known compound, but could potentially turn around the way we attempt to enhance muscle and connective tissue growth, both for traumatic injuries and for athletic application. I want DCs across the United States and around the world to think about this theory themselves and be prepared for patient questions from the inevitable media blitz from the supplement and health food industries.
Natural nutritional alternatives to anabolic steroids are a multimillion and possibly billion dollar business. There are a wide variety of "aural steroid replacement substances" on the market. Protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and herbs are all touted by various companies to naturally stimulate the anabolic effects of steroids without the negative side effects: claimed effects include increases in intracellular nitrogen balance, natural stimulation of testosterone production, increases in micronutrient delivery, and enhancement of the metabolic process.
The big question is, what if the growth-inducing effects of steroids are only 25 percent anabolic and 75 percent anticatabolic, which is what researcher and author W.N. Phillips states.1 Every natural substance (those that work and those that don't work) attempts to mimic the anabolic effects of steroids. No company has attempted to design any natural products to block catabolism. Would natural athletic aids be more effective if, instead of trying to mimic the anabolic effects of steroids, they were designed to work anticatabolically, which may be anabolic steroids' major mode of action? The potential for the development of catabolic blocking agents could theoretically mean natural products that are much stronger than anything currently on the market.
The Cortisol Connecton
Cortisol is a glucocorticoid that accounts for 95 percent of the body's glucocorticoid activity.2 Cortisol secretion in the body is on a circadian cycle. Plasma cortisol levels increase during sleep and peak in the early morning between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.2 Guyton states, "It is amazing that almost any type of stress, whether it be physical or neurogenic, will cause an immediate marked increase in ACTH secretion, followed within a few minutes by greatly increasing adrenocortical secretion of cortisol."2 This includes "almost any type of trauma" as well as excessive exposure to heat, cold, infection, disease, psychologic stress, and exercise. When cortisol secretion is stimulated, oftentimes it will override both the negative feedback system and diurnal rhythms.3
Cortisol has many effects on the body:
The Theory
Anabolic steroids bind at cortisol receptor sites. This prevents cortisol-induced muscle and connective tissue breakdown. Although I have not been able to do an exhaustive literature search on this theory, I was able to find some interesting papers.
Barron showed an increase in plasma cortisol in overtrained endurance athletes.4 Dohm showed an increase in protein catabolism in eccentric weight lifting movement.5 Cummings demonstrated that cortisol decreases testosterone levels in males. Animal studies have exhibited that anabolic steroids bind at glucocorticoid receptor sites.7
If anabolic steroids work purely anabolically, one would assume that high dose steroids use would build muscles with or without exercise. We know when teenage males enter their anabolic growth stage they gain muscle size and strength regardless of exercise. Furthermore, we know that steroid consumption without progressive resistance movements will not build Mr. Olympia muscles. This evidence supports Phillips, who feels that the majority of steroid effects are, in fact, anticatabolic.
Conclusion
There are ergogenic aids which are legal and can help the athlete gain muscle strength and size. However, there are no natural legal substances that remotely approach the power of anabolic steroids. Although good research is needed to further investigate this theory, if it holds true, nutritional support may undergo an historic change with the development of catabolic blocking agents being the nutritional supplementation of choice for our athletes who are training intensely and an important component of the nutritional support of injuries. The most exciting aspect of catabolic blockers is the chance that we could develop natural substances that, although they would not be as strong as anabolic steroids, would be considerably more effective at building muscle than any of the so-called natural anabolic substances now on the market. If a legal natural substance was even half as powerful as an anabolic steroid, it would be much easier for doctors, coaches, and trainers to have athletes stay natural.
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
