Legal and Safe Alternatives to SARMs

Everybody wants to build muscle as fast as possible. Many are turning to performance-enhancing drugs to help speed the process along. Most people tend to avoid steroids, but others have started using SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) in their place. SARMs increase the number of androgens (male hormones) in the body, which can promote lean muscle growth. SARMs also help some people with their athletic performance and can even encourage fat loss.

There is one problem, though. SARMs are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency and have been since 2008. So what options do you have in their place? Well — there’s plenty to choose from. Here are the Top 5 Legal and Safe Alternatives to SARMs.

Vitamin D

Good ole’ vitamin D can be your best friend if you’re trying to build muscle. Most people don’t know this, but it turns out that vitamin D may help to stimulate muscle growth. Some researchers at the University of Birmingham found that athletes who had higher levels of active vitamin D also had higher muscle mass.

Not only that, but there is a correlation between vitamin D levels and testosterone levels. We already know testosterone helps to stimulate muscle growth. One study saw a testosterone increase of up to 20% in participants who took at least 3300 IU of vitamin D daily. You can get vitamin D by hanging out in the sun for a while, or you can find vitamin D supplements at your local health or grocery store.

Fenugreek

Here’s another option — and one you can add to your next meal. It’s called fenugreek. A common ingredient in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking, it has a number of incredible health benefits.

These include increased testosterone production and muscle growth. According to one study, 500mg of fenugreek had a “significant impact on both upper- and lower-body strength and body composition” when comparing two separate groups performing the exact same exercises.

You can buy this ingredient as a supplement, or you can just cook with the spice. It’s often used in curries, Indian 5-spice, and Garam Masala. This can be a great alternative to SARMs or just a great addition to your daily supplement intake.

Cistanche Deserticola

Now, I know this name is a little hard to pronounce, but it’s worth understanding what Cistanche Deserticola can do for you. The extract has a number of different health benefits that can really help you in your workouts. First, like most of the items on this list, it helps to boost your testosterone levels. Second, it helps with fatigue while you’re at the gym, which means you can go harder for longer. There’s nothing worse than failing your last set just because your body decided it was too tired.

Third, and most importantly, it helps with recovery. Researchers have shown it helps slow the production of lactic acid. This means you’ll be less sore, and you can get back to your workout sooner. That’s crucial to maintaining your gains and not plateauing when you’re near your max. And come on, who doesn’t want to be hurting a little less the next day?

Ashwagandha Root

Ashwaganda Root is another ancient Indian medicinal secret. It’s classified as an “adaptogen,” meaning it can help you manage stress in your body. It does this by lowering cortisol — reducing it by up to 30% in some people.

It can also boost testosterone levels and increase both strength and muscle mass. Ashwaganda Root is perfectly safe for most people, and you can readily get your hands on it. An average dose of 450-500mg daily should be plenty. You can find it at a number of supplement retailers in capsule form, or you can drink the powder mixed in milk if you want to do it the traditional way.

Safflower Seed Extract

Safflower seed extract has multiple health benefits. It is also full of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). CLA is correlated with fighting off cancer, reducing body fat, and increasing muscle mass. You can get CLA from a lot of sources. It is a common omega-6 fatty acid you will find in many vegetable oils.

Safflower seed extract specifically is best when it comes to heart health as opposed to other CLA-rich fats. In clinical trials, researchers found that safflower was better at reducing total cholesterol and LDL than alternative fats.

You can find Safflower oil online at a number of retailers. You can take it on its own, or you can cook a delicious meal with it depending on what kind you purchase.

Best Legal (Safe) SARMs Alternatives

All of the supplements listed here are great alternatives to SARMs. Try incorporating one or two of these into your daily supplement routine. If one doesn’t work for you, it may be worth trying a different one instead. Every person’s body is unique, and one may be more effective for you than another.

Vitamin D, fenugreek, cistanche deserticola, ashwaganda root, and safflower seed extract can all be a big help in the gym and with recovery. They all help increase testosterone, and many of them also help with muscle growth. Most importantly, all of these ingredients are safe to consume and are readily available. They can be a great option if you’re trying to increase your gains without taking on the health risks associated with SARMs.