STEROIDS

Two Basic Types  CORTISOL-favors breakdown of cellular energy stores and even protein, to provide glucose. It can be useful during stress. Used in anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone. It can treat breast cancer and anemia.  ANABOLIC-favors the synthetic and accumulation of protein by muscle cells, which can increase muscle mass at an alarming rate.

Background history of Anabolic Steroids! Anabolic steroids are a group of powerful compounds that are closely related chemically to the male sex hormone testosterone. These artificial substances were first developed in the 1930’s to help men whose bodies produced inadequate amounts of the natural hormone that is responsible for the development of masculine characteristics occurring at puberty, such as the lowering of the voice and growth of body hair. By the 1930’s cholesterol and several steroids, including testosterone, had been isolated and methods of producing these established. Today 40 synthetic steroids are marketed worldwide. Some are effective orally (pills), others only after injection.

Why Steroids are abused

Steroids taken in combination with a muscle building exercise program may contribute to increases in body weight and muscular strength. As a result of this, some athletes, in a variety of sports have used anabolic steroids hoping to short cut their training while enhancing their performance. Today many young male and female body builders are abusing anabolic steroids.

Professional Athletes abuse: Lyle Alzado

Women body builders: Why they look like men

Olympic Athletes abuse: Ben Johnson

Farm Animals: Cows

German Soldiers during WW2

Chinese Women Swimmers: Olympic/World Championships

How Steroids work Anabolic steroids are commonly self- administered to produce significant side effects. Doses in a cycle are increased and decreased gradually, a process known as PYRAMIDING. Several different anabolics may be used simultaneously, a process known as STACKING. This method gives the user a theoretical range of different side effects. In general, steroids are naturally occurring hormones. When these are isolated, recreated and administered in doses 20 times the normal level, extreme side effects take place. The chemical changes in the body effect everything from absorption, metabolism, DNA, and other neurological factors. Anabolic steroids are commonly self- administered to produce significant side effects. Doses in a cycle are increased and decreased gradually, a process known as PYRAMIDING. Several different anabolics may be used simultaneously, a process known as STACKING. This method gives the user a theoretical range of different side effects. In general, steroids are naturally occurring hormones. When these are isolated, recreated and administered in doses 20 times the normal level, extreme side effects take place. The chemical changes in the body effect everything from absorption, metabolism, DNA, and other neurological factors.

Side Effects

There are least 70 side effects as a result of anabolic steroid use. These range from liver cancer, acne, as well as serious psychological effects. The areas most seriously effected by steroids are the liver and the cardiovascular and reproductive systems. Resulting in excess protein, heart disease, and sterility. In males steroids can cause withered testicles and sterility. In females it can cause irreversible masculine traits as well as menstrual irregularities and sterility. Psychological effects include aggressive, combative behavior, known as “roid rage” and depression. Some side effects might not show up for years, such as heart attacks and strokes. There are least 70 side effects as a result of anabolic steroid use. These range from liver cancer, acne, as well as serious psychological effects. The areas most seriously effected by steroids are the liver and the cardiovascular and reproductive systems. Resulting in excess protein, heart disease, and sterility. In males steroids can cause withered testicles and sterility. In females it can cause irreversible masculine traits as well as menstrual irregularities and sterility. Psychological effects include aggressive, combative behavior, known as “roid rage” and depression. Some side effects might not show up for years, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Caution! Most steroids used legally are obtained through the black market from under ground laboratories and foreign sources. The quality and purity of such drugs are questionable at best. Furthermore, while steroids may build muscle, their intended effect increased strength-may be offset by the fact that the strength of tendons and ligaments doesn’t increase with muscle strength. This imbalance may result in injuries that take a long time to heal. Little research has been done to assess the long-term effects of steroid use; nor is there much clinical evidence of the effects on women an adolescents. Young people whose bodies are still developing are particularly vulnerable, as are women, because they have less of the natural hormone.

Signs of Steroid use Athletes who use steroids in conjunction with a weight training program can be identified by their quick muscle and weight gains. Other signs that may signal steroid use are behavior changes, particularly increased aggression and combativeness; jaundice(yellow skin); purple or red color spots on the body; swelling of feet or lower legs; trembling; unexplained darkening of skin; and persistent, unpleasant breath odor.

Why Do Men and Women React Differently To Steroid Use Men Anabolic steroids mimic the natural hormone testosterone that controls the development of masculine characteristics in adult males. Steroid use may overload the body with testosterone thus triggering the hypothalmus, a portion of the brain that regulates basic body functions, to shut down further hormone production. Testosterone production may remain shut down when steroids are discontinued, causing an imbalance of male and female hormones the development by males of female characteristics such as enlarged breasts. Females The hormone is present is small quantities in females. In female bodies, steroid induced levels of testosterone in excess of the amount normal for women can cause the development of masculine characteristics such as the lowering of the voice and male pattern baldness that cannot be reversed when steroid use is stopped.

Steroid side effects Liver Cancer Jaundice Tumors Pelosis Hepatitis Cardiovascular System Cholesterol modifications Heart disease Anaphylactic shock Death High blood pressure Septic Shock Reproductive System Genital atrophy Genital Swelling Sexual Dysfunction Sterility Impotence Prostate Enlargement Fetal Damage Menstrual Irregularities Psychological Depression Listlessness Aggressive, Combative behavior

Steroid side effects-continued Other side effects Acne Edema Hairiness in women(irreversible) Male pattern baldness (irreversible in women) Oily skin Stunted growth Abdominal or stomach pains Bone pain Chills Diarrhea Changes in bowel and urinary habits Gall stones Hives Headaches (continuing) Excessive calcium Insomnia Kidney stones Kidney cramps Muscle cramps Nausea or vomiting purple or red spots on body, iside of mouth or nose Rash Sore throat Unusual weight gain Unexplained weight loss Unpleasant breath odor Unusual bleeding