Say no to steroids

Eisha Sarkar

Posted on Hello Wellness on Apr 6 2011 3:32PM


Once used by Hitler’s troops to increase their aggression and stamina, steroids have now become synonymous with controversies and foul-play in the world of sports. Steroids are organic compounds such as the dietary fat cholesterol, the sex hormones estradiol and testosterone, and the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone that used in the synthesis of hormones, are hormones themselves or act like hormones. Commercially available anabolic steroids are the synthetic compounds that mimic the structure of natural steroids and increase protein built-up in muscles.  We take a look at what these performance-enhancers do to your body:

Mode of operation
Anabolic steroids mimic the effects of testosterone and increase the production of proteins in the muscles and reduce recovery time by blocking the effects of stress hormone cortisol on muscle tissue, so that the muscle breakdown is greatly reduced. Anabolic steroids also affect the number of cells that develop into fat-storage cells, by favouring cellular differentiation into muscle cells instead. They also have androgenic and virilising properties and can induce the development of vocal cords and growth of body hair (something women athletes should take note before using steroids).

Harmful side-effects
Anabolic steroids can:

• Inhibit natural hormones: Adding a hormone into your body will send a message to your endocrine system to stop producing it so that the body remains in a balanced state (homeostasis). To achieve this, the body sends a message to the testicles to slow down, or even stop producing testosterone  when there is too much circulating.
• Lower good cholesterol: Steroids can lower HDL (good) cholesterol and raise LDL (bad) cholesterol thereby increasing risk of atherosclerosis and heart diseases.
• Cause gynocomastia: The formation of breast tissue in males due to intake of anabolic steroids is caused because of an excess of estrogen in the body. Androgens like testosterone are converted to estrogen which finds its way to the receptors in breast tissue and binds to them. This results in female-like breast tissue, which must sometimes be removed by surgery.
• Make you sterile: Steroids can disrupt menstrual cycles and impair normal production of sperms.
• Cause acne: The skin´s sebaceous glands have a particularly high affinity to Dihydrotestosterone, a derivative of testosterone. Increased sebaceous gland activity, combined with bacteria and dead skin, can cause clogging of pores.

The use of anabolic steroids is banned by all major sporting bodies, including the International Olympic Committee, International Cricket Council, World Wrestling Entertainment, ITF, FIFA, FINA, UEFA, the European Athletic Association, and the Brazilian Football Confederation.