Comparison between Ostarine vs RAD 140: Selective androgen receptor modulators, also known as SARMs, are being developed as advanced alternatives to anabolic steroids in clinical settings. Unlike anabolic steroids, SARMs aim to stimulate muscle growth and regeneration (1) by binding to androgen receptors in a way that minimizes adverse effects through targeted action (2).
Among the various SARMs, Ostarine and RAD 140 are noteworthy, each with unique characteristics.
Ostarine vs RAD 140: Comparative Benefits
Muscle Development
Beginners often turn to Ostarine, a less intense SARM, for a gradual gain of up to 10 pounds of muscle while simultaneously losing fat.
For women, Ostarine proves particularly effective, with the potential to add over 20 lbs of lean muscle.
RAD 140, on the other hand, is recognized for its more intense effects and is typically used in bulking phases to achieve significant muscle and strength gains, with users sometimes seeing up to 14 pounds of lean muscle accumulation.
Strength Enhancement
Although Ostarine does foster an increase in strength, it’s not to the same extent as RAD 140.
RAD 140 is regarded as one of the most powerful SARMs for boosting strength, with only YK11 or S23 being similar in potency. Some users of RAD 140 have reported impressive strength increases, such as adding 65 pounds to their bench press or 90 pounds to their leg press during their initial cycle (3).
Fat Reduction
Ostarine is often preferred for cutting cycles due to its ability to promote fat loss.
Nonetheless, Ostarine and RAD 140 have comparable fat burning capacities. The distinction in perceived leanness post-cycle between the two is primarily because those on RAD 140 tend to consume more calories, leading to temporary water retention and bloating that can obscure muscle cuts during the cycle.
Ostarine vs Rad 140: Side Effects
With greater potency comes the likelihood of more pronounced side effects, as seen with RAD 140.
Testosterone Levels
It is not uncommon for those on Ostarine to skip a PCT (post-cycle therapy) as they generally do not exhibit symptoms of testosterone suppression.
Conversely, RAD 140 has a reputation for being highly suppressive, prompting many users to undertake PCT. Incidences of users with clinically low testosterone levels post a 12-week RAD 140 cycle have been documented, with levels dropping significantly.
While some Ostarine users have experienced substantial testosterone reductions, it’s important to note that these effects may vary from person to person.
Post-cycle, natural testosterone restoration typically takes a few weeks, extending to a month or two in clinically hypogonadal cases. PCT utilizing compounds like Nolvadex or Clomid can expedite the recovery of the HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis).
Cardiovascular Effects
Ostarine can lead to a moderate elevation in blood pressure by decreasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels.
For example, one individual’s systolic blood pressure rose from 120/75 mm/Hg before the cycle to 148/84 mm/Hg after starting Ostarine (4).
Being more potent, RAD 140 is observed to induce larger fluctuations in cholesterol and blood pressure.
A case was reported where a user experienced an increase in blood pressure from 110/60 mm/Hg to 155/98 mm/Hg after dosing with RAD 140 (5), including symptoms such as chest numbness and pain. Consequently, individuals with high blood pressure or cardiac concerns should exercise caution when considering SARMs due to the increased risk of heart-related events.
Dosing levels are known to influence the degree of blood pressure elevation (6).
Liver Health
SARMs, according to liver function assessments, have hepatotoxic properties that can raise ALT/AST enzymes.
For instance, a case of hepatocellular-cholestatic liver injury was reported in a 49-year-old after only four weeks on RAD 140. Notably, he was also on an antidepressant prior to his RAD 140 cycle.
Similarly, a user of Ostarine experienced cholestatic injury within three weeks but recovered three months post-cycle.
It is recommended to avoid combining antidepressants or other hepatotoxic substances with SARMs for safety concerns.Should individuals opt to use RAD 140 or Ostarine, they are advised to pair their regimen with a TUDCA supplement at a dosage of 500 mg daily and to closely check their liver enzymes at regular intervals during their cycle. It’s also crucial to abstain from alcohol to reduce liver strain.
Comparative Outcomes
While RAD 140 is generally recognized as the more potent SARM, the effectiveness of Ostarine, particularly when combined with a calorie-deficient diet, can yield similarly remarkable results in body composition.
Users engaging in a fat-reducing dietary regimen while taking Ostarine over several weeks often notice a significant improvement in muscle definition, more prominent vascularity, and clearer visibility of the abdominals.
On the other hand, those who use RAD 140 are less inclined to focus on dietary fat loss, usually preferring to consume more calories to bolster anabolic growth.
RAD 140
The participant discussed here consumed a modest 10 mg/day of RAD 140 for an 8-week period. Despite slightly increasing his calorie intake, he observed a noticeable reduction in body fat alongside an increase in muscle mass, with an approximate gain of 10 pounds on the scale.
Increasing the daily intake to 20 mg/day might have augmented his muscle development and fat reduction benefits. The 10 mg/day dosage is considered more appropriate for female users, with the advantage of producing milder side effects at this lower dose.
Ostarine
In this case, the user engaged in a 45-day Ostarine cycle at 20 mg/day. The result was a weight loss of 7 pounds, alongside a significant gain in lean muscle, particularly noticeable in the deltoids and arms.
Dosage Recommendations
For Ostarine, the typical male dosage ranges from 10–20 mg/day, while females often take between 5–10 mg/day—with the higher end of these ranges being more commonly used.
The recommended dosages for RAD 140 mirror those of Ostarine, indicative of RAD 140’s greater potency on a milligram-for-milligram basis.
Cost Analysis
- Ostarine: $49.99 (25mg/mL – 30 mL)
- Rad 140: $59.99 (15mg/mL – 30 mL)
Price-wise, RAD 140 is markedly more expensive than Ostarine per milligram. Matching the concentrations, if RAD 140 were available at 25 mg/mL, it would cost just below $100, in contrast to Ostarine’s $50.
Final Assessment
In the comparison of potential benefits, RAD 140 is deemed the superior SARM over Ostarine.
Nevertheless, when it comes to safety and the mildness of side effects, Ostarine is regarded as the less harsh alternative.
Accordingly, Ostarine is preferable for those who are new to SARMs.
Both compounds offer similar advantages in terms of body composition improvement, but RAD 140, with its more anabolic nature, is generally considered more suited to bulking phases.
It’s also pertinent to note that RAD 140’s cost is roughly twice that of Ostarine.
It is advised that RAD 140 be considered for use after an individual has already undertaken a SARM cycle, to better accommodate the body to the potentially more pronounced side effects.
REFERENECES
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907129/
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907129/
(3) https://www.reddit.com/r/sarmssourcetalk/comments/fp4nbc/rad_140_results_with_questions/
(5) https://www.reddit.com/r/sarmssourcetalk/comments/j6end8/high_bp_on_rad_140gw/
(6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4018048/
Dr. Grant Fourie, a specialist in male hormones, is based in Cape Town, South Africa. He provides comprehensive treatments for conditions related to low testosterone, such as erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and mood changes. His methods include hormone replacement therapy and other modern treatment options.
Contact me via email or phone to book personal appointment in my clinic: The Village Square, Cape Town - South Africa