IGF-1 LR3

IGF-1 LR3 is a synthetic analog of human insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Its full name is Long arginine 3-IGF-1 or Long R3 IGF-1. It's a modified version of the naturally occurring IGF-1 hormone that has been altered to be more stable and potent. The key modifications are the substitution of a specific amino acid (arginine for glutamic acid) and the addition of a 13-amino acid extension. These changes allow it to bypass binding proteins in the body, which normally limit the activity of natural IGF-1, resulting in a much longer half-life and greater systemic effects.

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Benefits & Pros

• Anabolic Effects: IGF-1 LR3 stimulates muscle growth through hyperplasia (increasing the number of muscle cells) and hypertrophy (increasing the size of existing muscle cells). It also enhances protein synthesis, which is crucial for building and repairing muscle tissue.

• Fat Loss and Nutrient Partitioning: It improves the body's ability to utilize nutrients by directing them toward muscle tissue and away from fat storage. This can lead to increased fat metabolism and a better overall body composition.

• Enhanced Recovery: IGF-1 LR3 can accelerate recovery from injuries and intense training by promoting tissue repair and regeneration.

• Increased Potency & Half-Life: The modifications make it significantly more potent and give it a much longer half-life (around 20-30 hours) compared to natural IGF-1, which only lasts for about 20-30 minutes. This means it can be injected less frequently while still providing sustained anabolic effects.

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Side Effects & Cons

• Hypoglycemia: One of the most common side effects is low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, especially if used on an empty stomach. This can cause dizziness, sweating, and shakiness.

• Unwanted Growth: Due to its role in cell proliferation, long-term or excessive use could theoretically increase the risk of unwanted growth, such as organ enlargement (e.g., heart or visceral organs) or the promotion of existing tumors. This is a significant concern for individuals with a history or family history of cancer.

• Injection Site Reactions: Users may experience localized redness, swelling, or soreness at the injection site.

• Receptor Desensitization: With prolonged use, the body's IGF-1 receptors can become desensitized, leading to diminished effects and requiring longer breaks between cycles.

• Insulin Resistance: While it can initially improve insulin sensitivity, chronic exposure to high levels of IGF-1 LR3 can eventually lead to the opposite effect, causing insulin resistance.

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Dosage, Frequency, Half-Life & Detection Time

• Dosage & Frequency: A typical dosage for IGF-1 LR3 is 40-80 mcg per day, often administered once daily, usually post-workout. Cycles are generally kept to 4-6 weeks, followed by an equal amount of time off to prevent receptor desensitization and other side effects.

• Half-Life: As mentioned, the half-life is approximately 20-30 hours, which is a major advantage over natural IGF-1.

• Detection Time: The detection of IGF-1 LR3 and its metabolites in anti-doping tests can be challenging due to its rapid breakdown in the body. Some studies have shown the parent compound disappears within 4 hours of administration, while some metabolites may be detectable for up to 16 hours. However, advanced testing methods are continually evolving, and detection times can vary.

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Sterogenic, Progestronic & Prolactin Effects

• IGF-1 LR3 is not an anabolic-androgenic steroid and does not directly interact with androgen, estrogen, or progesterone receptors. Therefore, it does not have the sterogenic (estrogenic), progestronic, or prolactin-related side effects commonly associated with anabolic steroids.

• Unlike some other performance-enhancing drugs, it won't cause side effects like gynecomastia (which is linked to estrogen) or prolactin-related issues.

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Anabolic-Androgenic Ratio

• The concept of an anabolic-androgenic ratio does not apply to IGF-1 LR3. This ratio is used to measure the balance between a substance's muscle-building (anabolic) and masculinizing (androgenic) effects, and it's specific to androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS). Since IGF-1 LR3 is a peptide hormone that works through a completely different mechanism (cellular growth pathways) and does not have androgenic effects, it has an anabolic-androgenic ratio of undefined or N/A.