When it comes to muscle development, illegal anabolic steroids are seen by most as the very best muscle building pills that you can get. They are known to boost muscle growth, speed up muscle recovery, and improve your exercise performance, to help you build lean muscle mass as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, there is a very good reason that they are illegal. Anabolic steroids not only pose a number of health risks, but the muscle gains they produce will often disappear when you stop taking your anabolic steroid of choice. Luckily, there are a number of natural and legal alternative options you can try instead.
There are generally two types of compounds that get catorgorized as natural steroids, either ones that mimic the effects, such as an increase in muscle mass gain speed and recovery time, like creatine (which really shouldn't be classified this way, but marketing departments are largely responsible for this). Or phytoecdysteroids, plant compounds that increase testosterone production or bind to estrogen in the body creating more free testosterone.
Although there is unfortunately an awful lot of misinformation and shaky scientific studies when it comes to natural steroids. There are a few reasonably well backed compounds however, and a couple of supplements that contain mixes of these in their correct doses. Amusingly, most of the higher quality products tend to not refer to themselves as natural steroids at all.
Unlike anabolic steroids, these natural supplements do not pose any health risks, while often being able to help you gain muscle mass a lot faster. The only issue is, when you come to buy legal steroids online, they will often contain a range of very unusual ingredients that most people will never have heard of before.
This can make it very hard for people to identify the best legal steroid supplements for them. That is why we have created the following list of the 5 best legal steroids on the market today, to ensure that everyone can find the perfect natural supplement to safely support their muscle development.
The Most Commonly Cited Natural Steroids
Several natural compounds have shown promise in improving muscle growth and testosterone levels. Here are some examples:
Creatine
Creatine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in food and has steroid-like effects. Research has shown that creatine supplementation can significantly improve strength, power, and exercise performance, especially in activities involving intense muscle contractions. It's been shown to be safe for long term use and whilst as it isn't a phytoecdysteroid if someone is looking to mimic the effects of testosterone to increase muscle mass creatine is the best starting point for most people.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. It has been found to enhance lower and upper body strength and promote favorable body mass distribution when combined with resistance training.
Tribulus Terrestris
Compounds found in Tribulus Terrestris, known as steroidal saponins, have been found to weakly mimic the effects of testosterone. This may improve muscle function and testosterone levels, although further research is needed to confirm these effects.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for bone health, but recent research suggests that it may also play a role in muscle health. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with a loss of muscle strength and mass, particularly in individuals with moderate body compositions and lower body fat levels.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace element that helps control muscle growth and repair. Studies have suggested that zinc may have links to age-related muscle loss, but more research is needed to determine its exact role in physical performance.
Magnesium
Magnesium is involved in enzymatic reactions that impact muscular performance during exercise. It may help maintain muscle integrity during strenuous activities and reduce muscle damage.
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor molecule that the body converts into testosterone and estradiol. These hormones increase protein production and consumption, promoting muscle growth and strength.
Ginseng
Certain studies have found that ginseng may help prevent conditions such as diabetes and trigger muscle growth. It has been shown to promote muscle-specific gene expression and cellular differentiation, leading to enhanced muscle growth.
Fenugreek
Research on fenugreek extract in mice has suggested that it may boost endurance, increase fatty acid use during exercise, and potentially have fat-reducing properties. It's also been shown to raise testosterone levels in both healthy and men with low testosterone, making it one of the most widely cited natural steroids.
DAA
DAA supplements have gained popularity in the fitness and bodybuilding community due to claims of increasing testosterone levels. Research suggests that DAA supplementation may have a positive impact on testosterone production, leading to potential benefits such as increased muscle mass, improved strength, and enhanced athletic performance. The only downside if you typically need quite a lot of it, although it still makes it into a lot of the best blended natural steroids.
Turkesterone
Studies suggest that turkesterone may have anabolic effects, meaning it can help promote muscle protein synthesis and inhibit protein breakdown. This can lead to increased muscle mass and strength. Additionally, turkesterone has been found to improve endurance, reduce fatigue, and enhance overall athletic performance. It's a more recent compound to gain traction among natural steroids, so research is still limited.
Our Top Picks For Best Natural Steroids of 2023
TestoFuel – Best For Lean Muscle Growth
Prime Male – Best Natural Steroids for Over 50s
Hunter Test – Best Premium Natural Steroids
The 5 Best Legal Steroid Supplements To Build Lean Muscle Mass
TestoFuel - The Best Legal Steroid Alternative To Anabolic Steroids Overall
TestoFuel is the a potent testosterone booster that is the most powerful natural steroid alternative on the market today and is one of the only dietary supplements that can even be used an alternative to hormone replacement therapy.
Promoted by successful bodybuilder Robby Robinson, he claims it is a great way to keep your testosterone levels high and help you either reach or stay at your physical peak, especially as you age. He even hails it as a key component to how he has maintained his muscle mass, body fat percentage, and training regimen.
TestoFuel is able to promote muscle gain by using a formula that consists of d-aspartic acid, maca root extract, fenugreek extract, panax ginseng extract, oyster shell extract, vitamin d, magnesium, vitamin k2, zinc, and boron.
A natural amino acid, d-aspartic acid is extremely useful for supporting our body's natural production of testosterone and taking it in dietary supplements can significantly boost testosterone levels even in elite athletes (1).
Maca root powder can improve your sexual drive and functions, boost your mood, and combat anxiety, stress, depression, and the symptoms of menopause (2). This makes it especially useful for people who are already suffering from low testosterone levels.
Fenugreek extract can boost your testosterone levels, libido, and muscle gains, while providing additional health benefits, such as treating diabetes and reducing your blood sugar and cholesterol levels (3).
Panax ginseng can also boost your testosterone levels, brain and immune system health and functions, mood, and ability to fight off illnesses and diseases (4).
Vitamin d does not aid your natural production of testosterone directly but a vitamin d deficiency will impair it, so keeping your levels up with dietary supplements is a great way to stop this from occurring (5). Vitamin k2 provides the same benefits in natural steroid alternatives, while making vitamin d easier to absorb (6).
The minerals magnesium and boron will directly enhance your natural production of testosterone, while the third mineral, zinc, stimulates the pituitary gland in the brain and causes it to release luteinizing hormone, which has the same effect (7)(8)(9).
Last but not least, oyster shell extract is rich in vitamin d and zinc, so can further enhance their effects, while also being able to boost your free testosterone levels, muscle gains, and prostate and reproductive organ health and functions, while helping to burn fat and prevent body fat storage (10).
By replicating virtually all of the effects of illegal steroids for muscle growth, fat burning, strength, energy levels, metabolism, drive, mood, self esteem, body fat storage, and testosterone levels and production, TestoFuel is about as close of a legal dietary supplement to an anabolic steroid as you will likely ever find.
Throw in its very reasonable price tag, and TestoFuel is easily the best legal steroid alternative on the market today for the vast majority of people.
Pros
Aids muscle gain, strength, fat burning, self esteem, mood, energy, drive, and testosterone production
Promoted by a legendary bodybuilder who uses it personally instead of anabolic steroids for muscle growth
These natural steroids contain only optimal doses of clinically proven ingredients
Replicates virtually all of the effects of anabolic steroids
Very reasonably priced
Cons
Can only be purchased directly from the official TestoFuel website
Prime Male - The Best Legal Steroid Alternative To Boost Testosterone Production
Prime Male is a supplement that works like natural steroids but is not as focused on directly boosting muscle gains as some of the others out there, although it still will. Instead, it focuses on improving your production of testosterone, libido, energy levels, sexual performance, and weight loss.
The Prime Male formula uses 12 high quality, proven natural ingredients. D-aspartic acid calcium chelate, boron, Korean red ginseng, zinc, magnesium, vitamin d, and vitamin k2 were all seen in TestoFuel, while black pepper extract, luteolin, ashwagandha extract, nettle leaf extract, and vitamin b6 are all new.
The recurring ingredients will again replicate some of the effects of illegal steroids while offering additional health benefits. They can boost your testosterone levels and production, mood, semen volume and mobility, sexual performance and functions, energy levels, and brain and immune health and functions.
Ashwagandha extract will improve your blood flow, testosterone levels, development of muscle mass, fat burning, weight loss, sexual stamina, strength, athletic performance, focus, memory, sleep, heart and brain health and functions, and anxiety, stress, and blood sugar levels (11).
Stinging nettle leaf extract contains beta-sitosterol, which binds to SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin), a protein that inhibits the production of testosterone. Preventing it from doing so will regulate your hormones and keep them balanced, while supporting the health of your urinary tract and sexual organs (12).
Vitamin b6 again regulates the production of sexual hormones, while improving your sexual desire, amino acid, fat and glucose metabolism, immune health and functions, and neurotransmitter production (13).
Luteolin is a flavonoid that can prevent aromatase enzyme activity and turn cholesterol into pregnenolone, which will aid your natural production of testosterone (14). Black pepper extract then has the bioflavonoid piperine, which improves the bioavailability, absorption, and efficacy of all of the other ingredients (15).
By combining most of the top benefits of natural steroids, Prime Male can optimise your hormone levels and boost your ability to develop lean muscle mass, while preventing the loss of sexual functions.
When you then add in the fact that it uses a totally transparent, vegan friendly formula, it is easily the best legal steroid on the market today for people worried about having or developing low testosterone.
Pros
Designed specifically to regulate your hormone levels
Contains nothing but proven, optimally dosed, vegan friendly, natural ingredients
Very reasonably priced
Can boost your sexual performance, libido, energy levels, blood flow, muscle growth and fat burning
Cons
Can only be purchased directly from the official Prime Male website
Hunter Test - The Best Legal Steroid Alternative To Enhance Athletic Performance
Hunter Test is one of the best legal steroids for muscle growth, athletic performance, mental health, and the overall regulation of your hormones, particularly in older adults.
Its formula consists largely of ingredients that we have already seen, as it includes magnesium, zinc, Asian ginseng, ashwagandha, boron, d-aspartic acid, vitamin d, and vitamin k, and they serve the same functions they did in the previous two natural steroids that we looked at.
There is one new one though, which is indole-3-carbinol. A natural compound made by the breakdown of glucosinolate glucobrassicin, it is commonly found in green vegetables in the brassica genus and can stop free testosterone from being turned into oestrogen, to naturally keep your total testosterone levels up (16).
All of the ingredients in Hunter Test are present in their optimal dosages and work together to offer a wide range of health benefits. This includes increasing muscle growth and strength, boosting mood, endurance, weight loss, protein synthesis, and energy levels, burning fat, and reducing hunger and high blood pressure.
A completely gluten, GMO, soy, and artificial additive free natural steroid that is made in FDA and cGMP approved facilities, it can be used by virtually everyone.
Throw in its ability to be stacked together with the other dietary supplements in the Hunter Evolve range, and Hunter Test is easily one of the best legal steroids on the market for people who want to optimise their health while building muscle mass.
Pros
Carefully designed to balance your natural hormone levels
Produced in a quality environment with no additives or allergens
Can aid muscle growth, physical performance, weight loss, and your ability to burn fat and stick to a healthy diet
Perfectly formulated to be stacked with other supplements to improve your overall health and fitness
Cons
One of the pricier legal steroids on the market
Is only able to be bought directly from the official Hunter Test or Hunter Evolve websites
HyperGH 14X - The Best Legal Steroid Alternative To Boost The Production Of Human Growth Hormone
Unlike most of the best legal steroid alternatives, which attempt to boost your testosterone levels in a similar way to anabolic steroids, HyperGH 14X instead focuses on recreating the effects of human growth hormone injections and naturally improving your production of human growth hormone.
HyperGH 14X is designed as a safe and legal alternative to anabolic steroids and synthetic human growth hormone, with its goals being to promote rapid muscle growth, speed up the recovery and repair of muscle tissue, and even stimulate body fat burning to support weight loss.
The HyperGH 14X formula consists of 15 ingredients. It has the amino acids l-arginine, l-glutamine, l-lysine, l-glycine, l-ornithine, l-tyrosine, l-valine, and GABA, tribulus terrestris extract, astragalus root extract, deer antler velvet, colostrum, anterior pituitary powder, phosphatidyl choline, and GTF chromium.
The essential amino acids l-arginine and l-lysine will help you produce more human growth hormone, train harder, gain muscle mass, burn fat, and recover faster, and improve immune functions and male fertility, and they are especially effective when used together in one natural steroid like they are here (17)(18).
The amino acid l-tyrosine will boost your metabolic rate and production of human growth hormone and thyroxine, while reducing depression and stress (19).
L-glutamine is another amino acid that reduces stress and depression, as well as inflammation, but it can also increase muscle mass and energy levels and lower high blood pressure and cholesterol levels and your risk of heart disease (20).
The amino acid l-ornithine boosts the efficacy of all of the other amino acids in HyperGH 14X, while GABA can improve your production of human growth hormone directly (21)(22).
L-glycine is another amino acid that aids growth hormone production, and also boosts the health and functions of your brain and prostate (23). The last amino acid, l-valine, will then promote muscle growth, repair, and recovery, boost your energy levels and protein synthesis, and balance your nitrogen levels (24).
Tribulus terrestris extract can enhance your sexual drive and functions, energy levels, and ability to gain muscle (25). Astragalus root extract then boosts the efficacy of some of the amino acids present in HyperGH 14X, at the same time as aiding the health and functions of your genitals and immune system (26).
Deer antler velvet is said to stop joint pain and degradation and directly enhance the production of human growth hormone (27). Colostrum then accelerates muscle building, wound healing, and human growth hormone production, improves immune functions and bone health, and reduces the effects of aging (28).
Anterior pituitary powder stimulates the pituitary gland, which helps increase muscle mass and human growth hormone production and reduce the signs of aging (29). Chromium also boosts growth hormone production, at the same time as promoting body fat burning, weight loss, and better blood sugar levels (30).
Last but not least, phosphatidyl choline will make the other ingredients in the HyperGH 14X muscle building pills easier to absorb and more effective, at the same time as helping you burn fat, lose weight, and avoid high blood pressure, heart disease, gallstones, liver problems, depression, and cognitive disorders (31).
There are, unfortunately, a few issues with HyperGH 14X that are common problems in natural steroid alternatives that contain such a vast range of ingredients.
Not only is more proof needed that some of the ingredients actually promote muscle gains, but most of those that have been proven to increase muscle mass are present in doses that are too low for them to be capable of producing optimal effects.
Despite these issues though, if you are specifically looking for natural supplements that will enhance human growth hormone production in a safe and effective manner, then HyperGH 14X is still one of the best legal steroids for muscle growth that you can try.
Pros
Created specifically to boost your natural production of growth hormone
Full of amino acids and other ingredients that aid lean muscle building and offer many other health benefits, like boosting protein synthesis
Can stimulate muscle growth, fat burning, and weight loss from a variety of different angles
Cons
Some of its ingredients have not been conclusively proven to aid muscle building, while most of those that have are present in dosages far lower than optimal
Will not boost your testosterone production or levels like most legal steroid alternatives would
Crazy Bulk Growth Hormone HGH-X2 - The Best Legal Steroid Supplement To Aid Exercise Performance
Crazy Bulk Growth Hormone HGH-X2 is produced by a brand who specialise in legal steroid supplements. Intended for use as part of their patented legal steroid stack, HGH-X2 is designed to accelerate body fat burning and the growth and recovery of lean muscle mass.
The Crazy Bulk HGH-X2 formula consists of one ingredient that we have already seen, maca root extract, in addition to three that we have not, mucuna pruriens seed extract, hawthorn berry fruit extract, and 2-amino-5 pentanoic acid.
Maca root extract will again boost your testosterone production, lean muscle growth, mood, libido, and sexual functions, and reduce anxiety, depression, stress, and the symptoms of the menopause, just as it did in the previous legal alternatives to anabolic steroids we saw that contained it.
Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume that contains a compound called l-dopa, which is a precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.
L-dopa can improve testosterone production and sperm concentration and mobility, reduce blood sugar levels, enhance the health and functions of the brain, gut, and immune system, repair damaged brain cells, treat certain illnesses, and supress your appetite, to make it much easier to stick to a healthy diet (32).
Hawthorn berry fruit extract can boost blood flow to your muscles and enhance testosterone production, both of which are useful for muscle growth and recovery, but it is best known to reduce inflammation, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and oxidative stress, which will all help your muscles recover faster.
Some studies even suggest it can improve the health and functions of your heart and digestive system and reduce anxiety and the signs of aging, which will help you train harder and enjoy more muscle gain (33).
Finally, 2-amino-5 pentanoic acid is an amino acid derivative that is said to aid lean muscle growth and recovery by reducing high blood pressure, burning fat, and improving your heart, gut, and immune health and functions, blood flow, and natural protein synthesis (34).
However, there are again some issues with HGH-X2 that we do need to mention.
While many of the ingredient dosages are a little on the low side for it to truly be classed as a natural and legal alternative to anabolic steroids, 2-amino-5 pentanoic acid also needs to be researched much more extensively before it is conclusively proven to boost muscle building or testosterone levels at all.
That said, while HGH-X2 is not as effective as some natural steroids for muscle growth or body fat burning, it can still be one of the best legal steroids for accelerating muscular recovery after exercise.
Being designed to be used as part of a legal steroid stack also makes Crazy Bulk Growth Hormone HGH-X2 perhaps the best legal steroid supplement for people who are not worried about money and want to combine multiple natural steroid alternatives to aid muscle building in as many ways as they possibly can.
Pros
Contains three ingredients proven to aid the recovery of lean muscle mass, help you stick to a healthy diet, and offer additional benefits like improved protein synthesis
HGH-X2 is designed as to be used as part of a larger stack of legal alternatives to anabolic steroids, to promote muscle gains in as many ways as possible
Cons
One of the ingredients is not conclusively proven to be of use in a safe and legal alternative to anabolic steroids
Must be combined with other legal steroid alternatives in the Crazy Bulk Ultimate Stack to truly enhance muscle gain
Using more than one natural steroid alternative at one time will get expensive in a hurry
The Testosterone-Boosting Foods Claiming To Be Natural Steroids for muscle growth
In addition to ensuring sufficient intake of magnesium, vitamin D, and zinc, incorporating specific foods into your diet can naturally boost testosterone levels. Let's explore some of these testosterone-boosting foods:
Spinach: Spinach is rich in magnesium, an essential mineral for testosterone production. Including spinach in your diet can help ensure adequate magnesium levels.
Bananas: Bananas contain bromelain enzyme, B vitamins, and potassium. The bromelain enzyme has a positive effect on testosterone saturation in the body, helping to maintain optimal levels even when not exercising.
Avocado: Avocados are a good source of magnesium, zinc, copper, and various vitamins. These minerals and vitamins contribute to increased testosterone levels and overall hormone balance.
Asparagus: Asparagus is rich in magnesium, D-aspartic acid, vitamin K, and vitamin B6. D-aspartic acid is particularly effective in increasing testosterone levels in the short term, and asparagus also offers additional benefits such as increased fertility.
Eggs: Eggs contain cholesterol, which is beneficial for testosterone production. They are also rich in amino acids, aspartic acid, calcium, and zinc, all of which support testosterone production and maintenance.
Quinoa: Quinoa, a grain native to South America, is packed with vitamins, zinc, magnesium, and folate. It is highly regarded among bodybuilders for its nutritional profile and testosterone-boosting properties.
Celery: Celery is not only rich in vitamin K but also contains powerful natural anabolics called androstenone and androstenol. These compounds, along with the vitamin K content, help maintain optimal testosterone levels.
Final Thoughts On The Best Legal Steroids For Muscle Growth
Legal dietary supplements are the best anabolic steroid alternatives for people who want to enjoy rapid muscle growth, without putting their health at risk. While there are a number of great natural steroid alternatives on the market today, none will promote muscle growth anywhere near as well as TestoFuel.
A totally natural supplement full of optimal doses of high quality, clinically proven ingredients, TestoFuel will not only boost muscle growth and athletic performance, but it will also speed up muscle recovery and help to repair muscle tissue as well. Unlike anabolic steroids, it also does all of this while being completely safe.
If, for any reason they do not sound like the right legal steroid pills for you, then one of the other entries on our list of the best legal steroids surely will be. For everyone else though, we highly recommend that you give TestoFuel a try and see how it can aid muscle development and physical performance for yourself.
resources:
https://examine.com/supplements/panax-ginseng/#dosage-information
https://www.endocrinology-journals.org/Nettle-Leaf-and-Testosterone.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1392788/pdf/jphysiol01431-0143.pdf
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Chromium-HealthProfessional/
