“Black label” medication and hypertrophy
Anti-inflammatory drugs can indeed hinder your muscle growth❗️Many people who lift weights use them indiscriminately to relieve the discomfort of muscle soreness…
Anti-inflammatory drugs
However, it is important to note that anti-inflammatory drugs may not be so beneficial, particularly because of their toxicity to the kidneys, liver, and even the central nervous system when used continuously.
That is why they should always be prescribed by doctors who know how long treatment should last in each case.
For lean muscle mass to increase, microtears must occur in the muscles, and when this happens, an inflammatory process is triggered—a “good inflammation.”
Tissue regeneration
Furthermore, the process is fully completed when the body “eliminates” the affected cells, thereby initiating tissue regeneration. What is known as the inflammatory cascade occurs, activating satellite cells, which do not function well when you take anti-inflammatory drugs.
Therefore, by inhibiting the inflammatory cascade, we relieve the pain, but we may also be removing the trigger for hypertrophy. Your body ends up thinking that there is “nothing wrong,” and therefore sees no need to “get stronger” to withstand new stimuli.
Only take medication under medical supervision!
So, can medication interfere with your gains?
Black label medications can negatively affect your workouts. You should carefully discuss this with your doctor.
My advice is: always keep your body healthy and hydrated.
Did you know that staying hydrated is just as important as eating a healthy diet, especially when taking medication?
The human body is made up of about 60% water. Proper hydration increases the body’s hormonal response after physical activity.
Keep in mind that the less hydrated your body is, the more hormones (cortisol, aldosterone) it will secrete to retain fluid, making you look puffy—in reality, this is swelling caused by water retention.
Proper hydration plays a key role in hormonal function and the muscle recovery process.
It is important to let your muscles rest so that the desired hypertrophy effect can be achieved. Therefore, if you train your upper body one day, it is recommended that you train your lower body the next day, so your muscles can recover and avoid injuries and overtraining.
Discuss all information about medications with a doctor you trust. They will know exactly how to advise you.
