RAD 140 vs. Ligandrol: Everything You Need to Know

RAD 140 and Ligandrol Suppress Natural Testosterone Levels

SARMS are not steroids but still exert their effects through the androgen receptor according to several research articles. If true, this would indicate these products elicit testosterone suppression. 

The known side effects of androgen receptors leads to decreased testosterone and researchers list the following as being affected: erectile dysfunction, infertility, reduced libido, loss of bone density, muscle weakness, insomnia, depression, and weight gain accompanied by increased body fat. 

Some Potentially Serious Side Effects 

The FDA issued a public health advisory letter in October 2017 stating that “life-threatening reactions,” including liver toxicity, have occurred with a correlation to SARMs. They advised that SARMs have a strong impact on health and can increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as strokes or heart attacks.

 Researchers have also noted effects on cholesterol, and are studying effects on HDL or “good” cholesterol. They have also found SARMs to cause GI issues and are researching the short and long-term effects.

Long-Term Effects Unknown

It’s important to remember that SARMs still don’t have FDA approval, and when looking at RAD 140 vs LGD 4033, they are still being studied in CS. On the flip side, this is why the long-term consequences are unknown and have not yet been studied. The lack of research also limits knowledge about potential drug interactions.

Please note: Both of these products are banned in numerous athletic leagues. They are not dietary or sports supplements and athletes should not participate in CS related to SARMs.

RAD 140’s Benefits Researchers Are Investigating

There are many known side effects of SARMs, but their original purpose of treating age and disease-related muscle loss continues to be explored by researchers. RAD 140 has also been studied for use against Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer in mice. Here are some of the benefits researchers are testing with RAD 140: 

• RAD 140 protected the prostate from androgens.
• LDL and triglycerides were lower after use of RAD 140 in some subjects.
• RAD 140 has shown neuroprotective and cognitive benefits. 
• RAD 140 may increase lean body mass in some subjects.

RAD 140 has unfortunately not yet entered phase II clinical studies, so there is much for researchers to discover about this SARM’s potential. Research need to study other areas of this compound as well such as its effect on water retention or loss that can be associated with common heart health issues mentioned by the FDA.

Ligandrol’s Benefits Researchers are Investigating

LGD 4033 is the second most popular SARM on the market (after Ostarine). Below are some of the benefits that researchers have associated with the use of Ligandrol in mammalian studies:

• There was a high affinity for lean muscle mass and it was generally well-maintained after cessation in studies with primates, meaning muscle gain from LGD 4033 are likely sustainable for the long term.
• LGD 4033 is thus far shown to be the most potent SARM for increasing muscle tissue.
• It produced a faster recovery of healing of muscle, bone, and connective tissue post-injury and post-surgery.

SARMs such as RAD 140 and Ligandrol risks must be assessed. The FDA’s lack of approval of SARMs, and the fact that they’re banned in so many athletic leagues, means they should only be considered for laboratory research purposes only. 

It is also important to note that SARMs packaged for human consumption are illegal, as is labeling them as dietary supplements. They can be purchased in their chemical form for research use only.

Those intending to conduct research should be sure to buy from a trusted supplier that does third party testing on their products and meets the standard of 98% purity set by researchers. Some products marketed as SARMs don’t actually contain SARMS, and some contain other unapproved compounds.