Given the safety and legal concerns with using anabolic steroids, its not surprising that bodybuilders and other athletes have turned to the supplement industry looking for alternatives. One of the most important discoveries in the past decade is the action in the human body of various plant compounds called sterols. There are a number of different sterols and one of the most powerful is called stigmasterol. Sterols are essential components of cell membranes and also play a major role in health and functioning of the immune system.

The best sources of sterols are seeds, but modern refinement processes destroy much of the sterols contained in the seeds. For muscle building purposes, sterols most important role is serving as a precursor for the anabolic hormones Dehdroepiandrosterone and ultimately, testosterone.

Dehdroepiandrosterone is the most abundant androgenic hormone produced by the adrenal glands and its essential to bodybuilders and athletes trying to build muscle because in men, around 50% of all testosterone is derived from it, while women derive over 75% of their estrogen from it (and nearly 100% after menopause). Levels of Dehdroepiandrosterone are high at birth, decline during childhood, peak during the late teens and early 20s, and then start declining after the age of 30.

Given the relationship between Dehdroepiandrosterone and testosterone, its not surprising that products that contain stigmasterol are powerful muscle builders. Users report significant gains in muscle strength and size, while at the same time, vast decreases in body fat.

Besides increasing DHEA and testosterone levels, sterol products can also build muscle by decreasing cortisol production. Cortisol is whats called a catabolic stress hormone. Unlike anabolic hormones that build muscle, cortisol actually tears down muscle. Cortisol levels are especially high in bodybuilders who overtrain. Excessive exercise is in fact a source of stress, and is just as detrimental to gaining muscle as skipping workouts.

Elevated cortisol levels also depress testosterone production and decrease insulin sensitivity. Reducing testosterone levels will decrease your bodys ability to build new muscle tissue while decreased insulin sensitivity has been linked to increased body fat percentages.

Now do you see why using sterol-containing products is so beneficial for bodybuilders. The key to continued growth is increasing testosterone and decreasing cortisol levels. Stigmasterol is currently one of the effective compounds for achieving this. Whats more, its both safe and legal two characteristics not true about anabolic steroids.