What Is ATD in Bodybuilding?

ATD is commonly marketed as a dietary supplement and a main ingredient in many post-cycle recovery products. Although ATD is supposed to provide benefits for those looking to develop muscle size and improve male fertility, the estrogen-inhibitor has come under scrutiny and is considered to violate several health regulations. It is not recommended that you take any products containing ATD.

What is ATD

The dietary supplement ATD is an anti-aromatase whose full name is 1, 4, 6-Androstatrien-3, 17-dione. The inhibitor prevents estrogen biosynthesis by constricting aromatase, permanently rendering it dormant. Testosterone in the body becomes more prevalent due to this inhibition, but ADT does not actually increase testosterone levels. ATD reportedly shortens the amount of time needed after strength training for muscles to fully recover. Other effects commonly associated with ADT are changes in mood and increased male fertility.

ADT Regulation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in the fall of 2010, notified manufacturers of dietary supplements that ATD does not meet the administration's definition of a dietary ingredient, putting any products containing ATD in violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The FDA states that ATD can cause "decreased rate of bone maturation and growth, decreased sperm production, infertility, aggressive behavior, adrenal insufficiency, kidney failure and liver dysfunction," according to the website Functional Ingredients.

Products with ATD

A number of products containing ATD have been voluntarily recalled. These include Novedex XT by Gaspari Nutrition; Reversitol by iForce Nutrition; Arom-X, Arom-X UTT, Arom-XL; 4-AD and Decavol by Advanced Muscle Science; Off Cycle II Hardcore by Fizogen Precision Technologies; ArimaDex by Genetic Edge Technologies; and Clomed by KiloSports. This is not a comprehensive list of products containing ATD. Most of these products were marketed as testosterone production solutions and libido boosters.

FDA Criticism

Bodybuilding nsiders contend that the FDA's valuation and criticism of ATD is falsely founded. The industry also claims that ATD actually counters any side effects and is safe to take. The FDA takes the downplaying of its findings seriously and is especially concerned with dietary supplement manufacturers who deliberately hide certain ingredients such as ATD in their products.