Retain from ALRI:

Several hormones and hormone-like-substances trigger catabolism or muscle wasting. Glucagon does so by setting into motion a series of metabolic events that result in the release of fatty acids, amino acids, and glucose/glycogen from body tissues to restore blood circulatory glucose and energy substrate levels. However, the group we are most concerned with are called corticosteroids or glucocorticoids. This is a group of steroids that originate at the adrenal cortex of the adrenal glands (above your kidneys). The most commonly discussed hormone of this group is cortisol. When a cortisol molecule merges with a muscle cell cortisol receptor-site, it triggers the release of amino acids from the cell. That probably does not sound like a big deal until you realize that these amino acids come from the breaking down of the muscle cell proteins. This of course means all of that hard earned lean mass tissue begins to waste away and become energy or toilet trash.

Cortisol levels are elevated as a result of stress. Unfortunately, the body views stress stimuli such as increases in muscle tissue mass, training, sickness, and the spouse in a bad mood as reason to increase circulatory cortisol levels. Cortisol production can also inhibit endogenous GH and testosterone production while fueling pathways that allow fat to accumulate around the waste and upper legs.

* Lower cortisol levels in muscle tissue.
* Significant lean mass retention or addition
* Decreased water retention
* Faster recovery
* Increased strength
* Improved body composition