There is no more argument over the use of anabolic steroids as muscle builder for bodybuilders. Illegitimate or non-medical use of anabolic steroids is banned by major sports organizations. However, some athletes are still taking them as muscle builder, thinking that these substances provide a competitive advantage.
But beyond the issues of popularity or legality is the fact that anabolic steroids can cause serious physical and mental injuries. In light of these risks, legal measures to curb the use of anabolic steroids are becoming widespread and escalating. Anabolic steroids are the artificial counterpart of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone.
Testosterone's physical androgenic effects spark the development of the male reproductive system during puberty, including the growth of body hair and the heightening of the voice for muscle builders. The hormone's anabolic effects aid the body in sustaining the dietary protein, which helps in the development of muscles for muscle builders.
Although there are many kinds of steroids that have different levels of anabolic and androgenic effects, it's the anabolic property of steroids that hooks athletes. They take them principally as testosterone boosters for growth of muscles, volume and strength. Steroids can be taken orally or they can be injected as muscle builder.
Anabolic steroids that are injected are categorized down into additional categories, those that are very long-term and those that are intended for short-term. Anabolic steroids were used to be categorized in short-term category as water-soluble injections, because the side effects of the oral form were found to be associated for liver damage.
But the injectible steroids aren't free of side-effects either; muscle builders have to pay the price for using either of the forms.
It is not only the weightlifters or sprinters who are taking anabolic steroids; nor is it only men. All constituents of the society including women and adolescents are also taking anabolic steroids due to their desire to perform and feel better as muscle builders, regardless of the perils.
Anabolic steroids are fashioned to imitate the muscle building characteristics of testosterone. Most healthy men produce less than 10 milligrams of testosterone each day. Women also produce testosterone but in small quantities. Some athletes however, are taking up to hundreds of milligrams a day, surpassing the ordinarily recommended daily dose for legitimate medical application.
Anabolic steroids are not responsible for physical agility, appearance or cardiac capacity. Although anabolic steroids are extracted from the male sex hormone testosterone, men who use them may actually have a feminization effect together with a decrease in normal male sexual features.
Some possible effects of anabolic steroids include decreased sperm count, impotence, breast development, contracting of the testicles and difficulty or pain in urinating.
On the other hand, women often experience a feeling of masculinity from using anabolic steroids, including some features such as facial hair growth, heightened voice, breast decrease and menstrual cycle changes. With continued use of anabolic steroids, both sexes can experience the same effects which can be life threatening in worst cases.
They include acne growth, fast weight gain, liver damage, advance heart strokes, increased cholesterol levels and weak bones.
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