IGF-1, or Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, has an insulin-like effect because it can actually affect blood sugar levels. Insulin’s job is to push glucose and amino acid into muscle tissue and help repair and grow tissue, which is also called hyperplasia.

Increlex is the pharmaceutical brand of IGF-1. But pharmaceutical companies didn’t make this for bodybuilders. It was actually developed to help kids with growth hormone issues such as pituitary dwarfism right. And they were trying to help blast bone receptors with a large enough amount of HGH to signal growth. They discovered that using IGF for that purpose actually worked better. This is because HGH doesn’t have a direct muscle-building impact on the body.

HGH relies on stimulating the receptors responsible for causing the release of IGF-1. But the problem was that the IGF only stays active for like 20 minutes. This is because of something in your body called binding proteins. The purpose of these binding proteins are to identify and deactivate foreign bodies to render them ineffective. So, scientists added a chemical group to the IGF to prevent the binding proteins from degrading it so quickly.

IGF-1 LR3 vs IGF-1 DES

The first iteration of this was a product called IGF-1 DES. The DES version worked a little better, but still only lasted for like 30 to 45 minutes. But they continued to experiment in creating a longer lasting analogue. They eventually found success when adding three side groups, which is the LR3. And they found out that doing this helps avoid the binding proteins for almost 20 hours. This prevented them from having to treat pituitary dwarfism with a huge blast of HGH and IGF every 30 or 45 minutes. They successfully made something that would stay active for nearly an entire day.

IGF-1 LR3 Dosage and Proper Use

However, bodybuilders and chemical researchers always have a way of finding these really exotic compounds and using it to their advantage. Based on my experience, there comes a point of diminishing returns with IGF-1 LR3 where the preceptors actually downgrade and it doesn’t work as well after 1 month. This means cycles of IGF-1 LR3 need to be isolated to 4 week intervals or the body will gain a tolerance to it.

This peptide really lives up to its reputation if taken correctly. I was doing like 50 micrograms a day and saw some of the best gains I’ve ever had. Within a couple of weeks, I had close friends commenting how it literally changed the way that I looked. IGF binds to the insulin receptors and can lower blood sugar levels, as well as negatively affect potassium levels. This means you will have to time your carbohydrate intake to avoid hypoglycemia. It is also advised to take a potassium supplement to avoid muscle cramps.

Speaking from experience, if not taking potassium, the cramps get extremely annoying and feel like charlie horses. I started taking potassium a couple weeks before starting my second cycle of IGF-1 LR3 and did not experience cramping. I would advise on taking 50mcg per day and consuming simple carbohydrates immediately after injecting the peptide. This will help push the carbs into the muscle tissue and help to mitigate drops in blood sugar.

Side Effects and Diminishing Returns

I made the unfortunate mistake of not eating carbs after taking LR3 one time. I broke into a cold sweat and nearly passed out. Luckily, a candy bar was close by and helped me return to normal after several minutes.

IGF-1 LR3 is one of the most potent muscle-building peptides available which also makes it one of the most abused peptides. This is because once people see great effects they tend to stay on cycle for too long or increase the dose to high levels. which results in side effects. Taking above the 100mcg range or staying on-cycle for longer than 30-days results in the rapid emergence of side effects. These side effects can include nausea, severe headaches, and Severe blood sugar disorders leaning towards hypoglycemia and diabetes. Stick between the 50mcg to 80mcg range per day. And also keep cycles at four weeks, and you shouldn’t have any problems with side effects.

Reconstituting IGF-1 LR3 with Acetic Acid

If you’re using these dosages and don’t notice any effect, you’re probably dealing with a bunk product or you’ve used the wrong water to reconstitute the peptide. It is imperative that you use Acetic Acid Water to reconstitute IGF sequence peptides like the beloved IGF-1 LR3.

Bac water vs Acetic Acid
Full article on Acetic Acid vs Bac Water

This is because the amino sequence for IGF peptides are so fragile that the alcohol in Bacteriostic water will damage the sequence and render the entire vial ineffective after just a couple of days. This is why most people mistakenly think they get a fake LR3. The acetic acid water doesn’t break down the sequence but still provides antifungal and antibacterial qualities to help your peptide product remain sterile.

Stacking IGF-1 LR3 with CJC1295 and Ipamorelin

I’ve tried countless Growth Hormone compounds over the years. Some better than others, like MK677 which I often refer to as a poor man’s growth hormone. Also some outstanding peptides like HGH Fragment 176-191 and AOD9604 which work exclusively to only burn fat tissue. However, I developed the following protocol to provide all the benefits of Growth Hormone while negating most of the unwanted side effects. The stack detailed has been effective in aiding in recovery, fat loss, and an acceleration of both Hypertrophy and Hyperplasia. The exact research stack that I use with various peptides including Ipamorelin and IGF1-LR3 with CJC1925 being my base.

CJC-1295

CJC1295 acts as the base of this peptide stack. This is an outstanding growth hormone peptide I’ve been using for years which I wrote a full article on HERE. Research amounts of the No DAC version are daily 300mcg divided into 3 shots. So, when looking at it without DAC, these doses are much smaller at 100mcg per dose and taken up to three times in a day, making your daily dose 300mcg. If you choose to use the DAC version, then do 1000mcg to 2000mcg divided into 2 shots a week. Keep the cycle duration at 4 weeks or you’re going to be reaching a point of diminishing returns and wasting money.

Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin is a complementary addition to this peptide stack. Research amounts
are once daily at 300mcg. This peptide has a tendency to give me lethargy for a
few hours post administration. To mitigate this issue, I use this at night which also
provides stronger GH pulses during sleep.

IGF-1 LR3

This is an extremely effective compound when utilized correctly! (The best
cycle I ever ran was TRT, MENT, Rad140 and IGF1LR3 and I looked outstanding). This peptide has such a fragile and complex sequence that it must be reconstituted with Acetic Acid water to prevent fast degradation that the alcohol in Bacteriostatic water would cause to it. A little goes a long way here and I research this at 50mcg post workout.

Reliable Sources for IGF-1 LR3

Amino Asylum has always maintained high quality products You can read my full review HERE. They are also the most reliable source IGF-1 LR3 which can be purchased HERE.

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Conveniently, They also sell the Acetic Acid Water that need to obtained to properly reconstitute this peptide. IGF analogues should not be used with regular Bacteriostatic water because the alcohol will degrade the amino sequence.

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The Enhancement Manifesto