Clenbuterol is a powerful bronchodilator or decongestant which was actually developed to treat breathing disorders both in humans (e.g. asthma) as well as animals (e.g. Inflammatory Airway Disease). While Clenbuterol has been extremely successful in treating such respiratory diseases, now-a-days it is being used extensively as a weight-loss tool by competitive body builders, movie stars, athletes and practically anyone who wants to shed considerable amount of fat from the body in order to get a ripped physique, due to its highly potent fat-burning properties. It is generally considered to be a ‘steroid’ as it contains some steroidal properties, but it doesn’t have a steroid structure.
How does Clenbuterol work?
Clenbuterol is a sympathomimetic that works on the sympathomimetic nervous system. Both in the cases of humans and horses, Clenbuterol, actively stimulates the beta-2 receptors within the body, which effectively reverses airway obstructions and provides improved breathing for those who need it. This same stimulation can also be used to enhance the metabolic rate of the individual. Clenbuterol does not actively burn fat by attacking fat cells, but rather stimulates the metabolism by increasing the body’s temperature. This occurs due to the beta-2 stimulation stimulating the mitochondria of the cells to produce and release more heat. In turn, this heat up the body’s temperature (slightly), enhances the metabolism and causes the individual to burn body fat at afaster rate.It imitates the effects of the body’s natural adrenaline (epinephrine), resulting in increased breakdown of fat.
Clenbuterol is also an illegal compound in certain countries, and is banned for usage by athletes under most sports agencies as it boosts performance and power output and such medicine-induced enhancement is clearly against the spirit and ethics of athletics. Clenbuterol is often regularly administered to racehorses throughout the racing season as it dramatically increases their lung-capacity. But, a research conducted with a group of race horses who tested positive for this substance, proved that after about two weeks of use, it quits working and actually makes the horses breathe a little bit worse.
Dosage
The most common method for weight-loss purposes is two weeks on followed by two weeks off. One has to start with 20mcg/day which is the safest initial dose and go on increasing it by 20mcg everyday till the 7th day when the dosage reaches 140mcg which is the highest limit of recommended dosage. Then he/she will have to similarly decrease it (20mcg/day) and after the 14th day, he/she shall discontinue using it for the next two weeks.
Side-Effects of Clenbuterol
Careless use or overdose of this drug can lead to serious side-effects. And the only way to prevent them is by correct usage and strict self-monitoring. Hypertension, Insomnia, Increased Sweating, Tremors are some of the most common side-effects. But these gradually subside as the body begins to get accustomed with the drug.
Among the race horses who tested positive for this substance, if anyone is found to have more than the allowable limit of Clenbuterol present in its system, the trainer of that particular horse can be suspended or even disqualified by the racing-officials from the competition. Therefore, this drug should always be used with caution, be it for human beings or for race-horses.
