| Anabolic (an-ah-BOL-ik)This term refers to the | | | | increase muscle mass by affecting the body the |
| process of building up. Steroids are called anabolic | | | | way that natural testosterone affects the |
| because they build up your muscles.It is a fact | | | | body.Steroids can cause mild or serious side |
| that today's bodybuilding arena is influenced by | | | | effects. Some of the minor effects associated |
| the use of anabolic steroids. The trend has | | | | with steroid use are usually problems that can |
| become more and more apparent over the years. | | | | occur without the use of steroids and are |
| The use and abuse has become so wide spread | | | | associated with abnormal hormone levels. These |
| that we can no longer afford to ignore the topic. | | | | minor side effects can include an increase in facial |
| Whether you feel strongly for or against the use | | | | or body acne, hair loss, irritability, and dizziness. |
| of steroids is your own decision. However before | | | | Steroid and supplement use can also cause very |
| making any decision it is your responsibility to fully | | | | serious side effects that can be harmful in the |
| educate yourself with the facts. Here is an | | | | short term and may even cause long-term side |
| analogy. A parent may not feel comfortable | | | | effects. Some of the side effects that can affect |
| talking to their kids about sex for the first time | | | | both men and women when taking steroids can |
| but they can't continue to avoid the topic. Simply | | | | be associated with several systems of the body. |
| because a parent talks to their children about sex | | | | Some hormonal problems that can occur include |
| doesn't mean that they want them to go out and | | | | premature balding and stunting of growth. Using |
| have sex. Instead they are hoping that with the | | | | steroids can cause cardiac issues such as rapid |
| proper information they will be able to make an | | | | heartbeat and hypertension that causes |
| educated decision.Until you can put yourself in | | | | permanent damage to the body's blood vessels. |
| someone else's position it is tough to know why | | | | The urinary system can also be affected by |
| they make the decisions they do. For example, if | | | | steroids and difficulty urinating can be a result.The |
| you are pro athlete and you have the opportunity | | | | risk of developing heart disease, strokes, and |
| to extend your career, or compete for a starting | | | | some types of cancer is also increased when |
| position perhaps you may be more likely to | | | | steroids are used when not needed to manage |
| consider the alternative. You may call this an | | | | medical conditions. Digestive problems such as |
| unfair advantage or cheating but where do we | | | | nausea and vomiting can start when the body is |
| draw the line. People that use bodybuilding | | | | subjected to the use of steroids or steroidal |
| supplements have an unfair advantage over those | | | | supplements. Other medical problems that can |
| that chose not to use them. Does that mean | | | | result from the use of steroids are sleeplessness, |
| they are cheating as well? It is a very gray area | | | | trembling, achy joints, a greater risk of injury to |
| and there doesn't seem to be a clear-cut right or | | | | muscles and tendons, liver damage, and skin |
| wrong answers to many of the questions we ask | | | | jaundice. Some of the most startling problems |
| ourselves. In some countries it is legal to take | | | | associated with the use of steroids are the |
| steroids. Does that mean it's ethically okay to use | | | | psychological problems that are created. Steroid |
| steroids in certain countries and not others? One | | | | use can cause paranoia, seeing things that don't |
| could argue yes to that question. In the United | | | | exist, severe mood swings, anger, and |
| States Steroids are illegal therefore it would be | | | | depression.There are also gender-specific side |
| wrong to take them here. The debate could go | | | | effects of using steroids or steroidal supplements. |
| on and on and I'm sure it will for many years to | | | | Men can experience painful urination, shrinking of |
| come.One thing you can do is educate yourself | | | | the testicles, impotence, sterility, and the |
| about the possible dangers of steroid use. Most of | | | | development of breasts and other female |
| the benefits are commonly known so this article | | | | characteristics. Women can also experience side |
| will discuss the other side of the coin.Dangers of | | | | effects from using steroids and supplements. |
| SteroidsWhen prescribed and used correctly, | | | | These side effects include changes in the |
| steroids can be very beneficial for many people. | | | | menstrual cycle, shrinking of the breasts, |
| Steroids are often used to control asthma or to | | | | deepening of the voice, and increased facial hair |
| improve the health of people with auto-immune | | | | growth. While taking steroids and steroidal |
| disorders. When used without the supervision of a | | | | supplements can have a positive short-term |
| physician, steroids can be very dangerous | | | | effect on muscle mass and athletic performance, |
| substances that cause many mental and physical | | | | the dangerous side effects make steroids a poor |
| health problems. Understanding the risks involved | | | | choice for gaining strength. A good diet and |
| with using steroids can be helpful in deciding | | | | exercise program would be a much better way |
| whether or not to proceed with this dangerous | | | | to increase performance and would also improve |
| habit.There are two major types of steroids that | | | | health.In closing I'd like to share a Critical Bench |
| can be taken by people looking to increase their | | | | Web site poll from 2003. 509 votes were tallied |
| muscle mass and enhance their athletic | | | | and the results were as followed.We asked how |
| performance. Anabolic steroids are synthetic | | | | you felt anabolic steroids and received the |
| hormones that are very close to the real | | | | following results.1. Best thing since sliced bread |
| hormones produced by the body. The most | | | | 10% |
| powerful one is testosterone. There are also | | | | 2. Worth a try 20% |
| steroidal supplements that contain DHEA and | | | | 3. Impartial 19% |
| androstenedione. These steroids and supplements | | | | 4. |
| have become popular because they can help | | | | |