The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show

Steroids & Testosterone: The Science Behind Anabolic Therapies | Nelson Vergel

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Mar 18, 2025
Guest
Nelson Vergel
Nelson Vergel, a chemical engineer and health advocate, shares his inspiring journey from an HIV diagnosis in the 1980s to becoming a champion for hormone optimization. He discusses the misconceptions surrounding anabolic agents, differentiating their medical benefits from bodybuilding use. Vergel highlights the importance of muscle preservation in health, especially for those with wasting conditions. He also examines the effects of GLP-1 medications on lean mass and emphasizes safe dosing practices for anabolic therapies, pushing for a better understanding of their role in medicine.
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ANECDOTE

HIV Diagnosis in the 80s

  • Nelson Vergel was diagnosed with HIV in the mid-1980s, a time of fear, limited treatment, and widespread wasting syndrome.
  • He witnessed friends and community members die of wasting and opportunistic infections like Kaposi's sarcoma, highlighting the era's desperation.
ANECDOTE

Bodybuilding and HIV

  • Vergel's life changed after transferring to LA, where he encountered bodybuilders with HIV who were using anabolic therapies.
  • These therapies helped them gain muscle mass and reverse wasting, inspiring Vergel to explore this approach.
INSIGHT

Muscle Mass and Survival

  • Bodybuilding and anabolic therapies offered a lifeline for people with HIV, allowing them to gain lean body mass and improve survival.
  • Research showed that losing a third of lean body mass was a critical threshold for mortality in wasting conditions.
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