Anabolic steroids: how anabolic steroids affect health

Author: Alexey - consultant of the site ru-steroid.site Place in the ranking of authors: 16

(become an author) Date: 2017-03-02 Views: 6,137 Rating: 4.5

Articles are loading...

Important! The “Your Trainer” website does not sell or encourage the use of anabolic steroids and other potent substances. The information is provided so that those who decide to take them do so as competently as possible and with minimal risk to health.

In this review, we will try to talk as much as possible about anabolic steroids, which, according to others, are a plague in the sports world. At the moment, they are trying to avoid the topic of steroids. One thing is clear: several dozen countries around the world have put steroids on a par with narcotic drugs, and their use is punishable by criminal liability.

It should also be noted that in almost all printed publications steroids are called anabolic drugs, which can be explained by the fact that steroids with a pronounced anabolic effect should be separated from other drugs belonging to the steroid category, because some drugs clearly have a number of positive effects .

However, it is more accurate to say that the use of steroids causes an anabolic effect on the human body. But what is the true reason for the hatred of steroid drugs?

What are anabolic steroids

There are a sufficient number of descriptions of what anabolic steroids are. All of them are taken from medical sources, using specialized terms.

We will try to illuminate this issue in accessible “human” language.

Anabolic steroids are biologically active substances produced by our body.

Most people have heard of anabolic steroids as a class of drugs. Artificial steroids are widely used in medicine to treat various hormonal diseases. And also in sports, in the form of doping, to increase athletic performance.

Their main function is to stimulate metabolic processes in the body:

• synthesis of muscle and bone tissue
• acceleration of wound healing
• fat metabolism and much more

The main anabolic steroid is testosterone (in men it is synthesized in the testicles).

There is also such a term as anabolic hormones - this is a more comprehensive concept.

This includes all the hormones produced by the human body that improve growth and recovery:

1. Testosterone
2. Growth hormone (somatotropin)
3. Insulin
4. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF).

All of them have a wide range of effects on the body.

First of all, the androgenic and anabolic effect is interesting here, which we will discuss below.

Antisteroid propaganda in bodybuilding

Nowadays there are fewer and fewer adherents of natural training. This is largely due to the amount of information available about steroids and how they can change an athlete's life for the better. Sometimes athletes find out that those they looked up to turn out to be ordinary “chemists”. Today's article is a kind of anti-steroid propaganda in bodybuilding. Today it is almost impossible to imagine sports without anabolic steroids. If the use of AAC by professional athletes can still be justified by their desire to earn a lot of money, then at the amateur level this is not justified.

At some point, all athletes must choose a path forward. They either continue to train naturally or prefer steroids. Very often you can hear that without steroids it is impossible to achieve high results, but most often their use is associated with banal laziness. They are confident that with the help of steroids you can quickly build muscle and not really strain yourself.

It also happens that if there is no result for a long time, people simply leave bodybuilding and stop training. However, the result will definitely come if everything is done correctly. You may not have the muscles of, say, Yates or Cutler, but you can definitely create a beautiful, athletic figure.

Now you can find a lot of information that any side effect that appears from the use of anabolic steroids can be reversed. If the rate of secretion of natural testosterone has decreased, then it is enough to take certain medications and everything will be restored. Or, for example, to prevent the development of gynecomastia, it is enough to start using antiestrogens and there is nothing to be afraid of.

If you wish, you can find a lot of different courses of taking AAS and descriptions of any anabolic steroids along with schemes for their use. In most cases, all this information is completely wrong. The main goal of many sites is to generate income from the sale of anabolic steroids. Their administrators do not care what happens to the human body after a course of anabolic steroids.

In some developed countries, the distribution of steroids is a criminal offense, and AAS themselves are equated to drugs. The point here is not getting used to them, but the strength of their effect on the body and possible consequences. In the CIS, the sale of illegal steroids is also prohibited, but today this business is thriving as never before.

Although the topic of today’s article is anti-steroid propaganda in bodybuilding, we will not talk about the problems of today’s sports. Many former athletes who now work in sports federations and declare war on doping have themselves actively used anabolic steroids.

For example, the head of the WPC of the Russian Federation, Ustinov, has repeatedly stated that his federation is not going to introduce doping tests in tournaments held under its auspices. He believes that the use of steroids is a personal decision for athletes.

If you carefully read most web resources dedicated to strength sports, they practically promote the use of steroids at all levels. Very often, such resources compare tobacco and alcoholic beverages, which are freely sold in supermarkets, as comparisons with steroids. A comparison of profits from the sale of steroids and tobacco with alcohol is also often given. It must be said here that comparing the money turnover of tobacco, drugs and alcohol with steroids is not entirely correct. But if you still really want to do this, then you should make the calculation per consumer. In this case, the difference in numbers will no longer seem so significant.

Although all athletes independently decide to start using AAS, most often this choice is not entirely conscious. Many simply do not have enough information to see the whole situation as a whole. On most specialized resources, almost all the information is not true.

Many people say that steroids are used in traditional medicine and need to be legalized. But some drugs are also used with prescriptions. If someone has health problems and needs hormonal therapy, then you can purchase an anabolic steroid with a prescription. After this, the drug will be used under the strict supervision of a medical professional. In addition, it is enough to compare therapeutic dosages with those used by athletes.

Statements are increasingly being heard that anti-steroid propaganda in bodybuilding has no scientific basis. However, it is precisely the propaganda of the use of AAS by athletes that does not have it. Any disturbances in the hormonal system can lead to the most dire consequences, and not all of them are reversible.

You should not trust advertising unconditionally. In the vast majority of cases, people who advocate for the legalization of steroids care only about personal gain. The more athletes start taking anabolic steroids, the more income sellers will receive.

In the same bodybuilding, it is now almost impossible to count on winning without using doping only for the reason that almost all professionals use steroids. Of course, without drugs it is impossible to compete with him. In the pursuit of profit and results, the very essence of sport is lost. Now the winner is not the one who is actually stronger or faster, but those who use more anabolic steroids, growth hormone or insulin.

Although sports officials are officially fighting the “chemical” scourge, they will probably not be able to defeat it. Especially if there are people like Ustinov in sports. You decide for yourself whether to use anabolic steroids or not. However, before making a final decision, consider this issue in as much detail as possible.

More information about anti-steroid propaganda in this video:

How anabolic steroids work

Our body synthesizes anabolic hormones in small quantities. For example, men produce 5-7 mg of testosterone per day.

These hormones enter the general bloodstream and are then delivered to organs and tissues, where they trigger anabolic reactions - tissue synthesis.

To make things clearer, let’s look at a simplified principle of how testosterone works:

Testosterone is initially synthesized in the testicles. Then it enters the bloodstream in a “bound”, inactive form and circulates through the blood until it finds its target. As a rule, these are muscle cells.

Next, part of the testosterone goes into an active state and penetrates inside the muscle cell, where it gives the command for muscle synthesis.

Scientists have been struggling for a long time with the invention of artificial anabolic hormones.

First of all, this was done to cure humanity of diseases caused by hormonal imbalance.

In the late 30s of the 20th century, when steroid drugs began to be prescribed to patients, it was noticed that in addition to treating the disease, taking steroids caused various side effects.

One of them was the rapid growth of muscle mass and strength even without strength training!

From that moment on, the triumphant march of artificial anabolic hormones into the world of big-time sports began.

In bodybuilding, taking anabolic hormones has become one of the main factors for rapid muscle growth.

In large dosages, they can actively influence the growth of tissues and physical qualities in the body.

We’ll talk about how positive and negative this influence can be a little later.

Truths and lies about taking steroids

Surely, from birth, our parents and educators hammered into our heads information about the negative effects of drugs, cigarettes and alcohol? At the moment, a similar situation is observed with sports-related drugs. Many blame the media and other print media for such a biased attitude towards sports drugs.

But who and, most importantly, why is it necessary for society to completely abandon the use of steroid drugs? And the strangest thing is that an active policy against the use of steroids is carried out not only in Europe and the USA, but also in other countries of the world. Russia is gradually joining the fight against steroid drugs, at least now it has equated these drugs with substances that have a strong and toxic effect on the human body. In our review, we will try to figure out where the truth is and where the lies are, and whether anabolic steroids can really cause serious harm to human health at the level of methamphetamine or cocaine.

First of all, it is worth taking into account that almost everyone claims that steroid drugs are harmful. One of the main reasons on which many opponents of steroids are based is the challenge of psychological dependence. But, this is only a psychological dependence, and not a physical one, which is caused by nicotine and/or alcohol. It is also worth noting that nicotine and alcohol, in addition to physical dependence, can cause lung cancer or cirrhosis of the liver. Moreover, alcohol destroys the human brain, penetrating into the body its components begin to destroy the protective membrane of red blood cells, leading to the fact that leukocytes stick together, thereby forming something like “bunches of grapes.” These clusters impede blood circulation in microscopic vessels, which can ultimately lead to massive cell death throughout the body. As a result, the brain suffers the most from drinking alcoholic beverages.

This is not all the negative consequences associated with the use of nicotine and alcohol. But, in spite of everything, alcohol and cigarettes are sold at every turn, and there are no prohibitions on their production and distribution. Unfortunately, steroids cannot boast of this. Of course, this example may not be entirely clear, but if you take into account the addiction associated with taking steroid drugs and addiction to drugs and alcohol, you can understand where we are going. The picture is clear, those who are hindered by steroids do not care at all about what alcohol-containing products and nicotine do to the body.

Many athletes taking anabolic steroids claim that their metabolic processes accelerate and the balance between food consumed and calories burned shifts. This effect allows you to increase basic physical indicators, such as endurance and strength, and therefore increase the quality and duration of training. The drug acts on the body of an athlete taking a course of medication, so the final result can only be noticeable after the end of the course of treatment.

But very often, after completing the course, the athlete experiences a setback, that is, a loss of the results obtained, and this is where psychological dependence can arise. But, if you approach the course correctly, you can not only maintain the effect obtained from the course, but also avoid psychological dependence on steroids.

Classification of anabolic steroids

Anabolic steroids are divided into:

1. Androgenic
2. Anabolic

This is their most common classification.

Steroid drugs with pronounced androgenic properties are the most powerful and effective anabolic steroids.

They are best for rapidly building muscle mass and strength. But the risk of side effects from taking androgens is also very high.

The most powerful, effective and popular androgen is testosterone .

It is responsible for sexual characteristics in men: body type, hairline, etc.

It is with the injection of testosterone that the “transformation” of female bodybuilders into masculine athletes is associated.

The effect of testosterone on the body:

1. Performance increases sharply, both physical and mental (memory and mental activity improves)
2. The body's resistance to various stresses increases - a person is in constant mild euphoria, and some people develop increased aggression and even a depressive state.
3. Sexual desire (libido) increases many times, as do sexual performance.
4. The rate of muscle growth and strength accelerates significantly

Gaining 10-15 kg of mass in 2-3 months or increasing the bench press by 15-20 kg is normal.

Another popular androgen is the steroid under the brand name Dianabol . In the post-Soviet space it is better known as “Methane”.

Dianabol is a tablet drug containing the active ingredient – ​​methandienone (less commonly methandrostenolone). It is preferred by people who do not want or are afraid to take testosterone injections.

Once in the body, dianabol is converted into testosterone. Well, what next, you already know.

Now let's talk about anabolic steroids.

Scientists decided to minimize the side effects of taking androgens so that the anabolic effect is maximum (gain in mass and strength), and the androgenic effect is minimal (risk of side effects).

Steroids with an anabolic effect have been synthesized. There were practically no side effects.

In medical therapy, they began to be prescribed to children from 7 years of age and to women, they are so safe.

The most well-known anabolic steroids include:

1. Anavar (oxandrolone)
2. Winstrol (stanozolol)
3. Anadrol (oxymetholone)
4. Trenbolone and others

However, it turned out that the less androgenic activity a steroid has, the worse the growth of mass and strength. Many drugs have proven to be very weak in terms of muscle building.

Anyone who wants to start taking steroids faces a choice:

1. Taking powerful androgens and quickly gaining weight and strength, but at the same time you are guaranteed to get a number of side effects.
2. Take mild anabolic steroids with virtually no side effects. But the muscle gain will not be that great.

Anabolic steroids: how anabolic steroids affect health

• - Minor injuries with prolonged convalescence.

Steroid users

They are very sensitive to tissue damage, and their wounds take much longer to heal. Despite the fact that these drugs strengthen muscles, this does not apply to tendons and ligaments.

Tendons

- This is connective tissue that connects muscles to bones, and ligaments are located at the places where bones connect to each other. This is why those who use steroids often get injured. This is due to an imbalance between muscle strength and the strength of tendons and ligaments. Even training with light weights can result in injury.

• - Decreased hormone production.

An inevitable side effect of taking anabolic steroids

will reduce the production of hormones. The fact is that they imitate the action of hormones of the endocrine system, which leads to a decrease and even complete stop of their production, as the body tries to balance hormonal levels using homeostatic processes.

• — Violation of reproductive function.

Almost all anabolic steroid

encounter sexual dysfunctions. Under normal conditions, the production of androgens (male germ cells in the testes) by Leydig cells is stimulated by hormones from the pituitary gland and hypothalamus (part of the brain). The supply of external androgens leads to the fact that the human body senses their level in the blood is high enough and automatically tries to reduce their production from within, reducing the stimulation of male reproductive cells.

• - Effect on cholesterol levels.

Steroids

can lower HDL levels and increase LDL levels.
Cholesterol
is a measure of the amount of fat in the blood. HDL protects the arteries by sending unused cholesterol to the liver for destruction. Depending on the type of steroid, the increase and decrease in HDL and LDL levels in the blood may vary.

• - Decreased sexual desire.

If you are taking anabolic steroids

stops, testosterone levels become insufficient, since its independent production by the human body has been reduced during the adaptation process. The most common effects are lack of sexual desire, risk of prostate cancer, and decreased mood.

• - Gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia (or feminization)

In men, it is characterized by breast growth due to a surge in estrogen. This is due to the process of aromatization, in which androgens are converted into female sex hormones. Excess estrogen attaches to existing cellular receptors in the male nipples, which leads to the accumulation of fat in the male breast area, creating the appearance of a female breast.

• - Liver disorders.

They are very diverse: from minimal lesions and jaundice to cancer. steroid use, research suggests

in oral dosage forms than when consumed by injection.

• — Cardiovascular diseases.

Steroid supplements

can also cause diseases of the heart and blood vessels, namely a high content of LDL cholesterol and an increase in the heart muscle. Elevated levels of LDL in the blood are associated with the risk of blockage of the coronary arteries, which ultimately leads to a heart attack. The consequences of heart enlargement are heart failure and sudden death.

• - Prostate enlargement.

In many cases, prostate enlargement

- a consequence of stopping the use of steroids. The growth of the prostate gland occurs during puberty as a result of the secretion of androgens in the testes. As a rule, drugs such as finasteride or dutesteride help cope with this problem.

• - High blood pressure.

This side effect is predominantly found when steroids are used by weightlifters whose training program includes a small amount of aerobic exercise. As a result, the heart has to work hard to effectively pump blood around the body.

• - Kidney complications.

Kidneys

- the most vulnerable organs when taking steroids. They are involved in filtering and cleansing the body as a whole. When foreign chemicals enter the body, the kidneys automatically start working harder. Some athletes have been known to have dark-colored urine, a sign that the kidneys are working hard to flush out the steroids they inject into the body.

• — Immune system disorders.

Steroid drugs

lower immunity, although this, again, depends on their type and dose.
There is also evidence that certain steroids, on the contrary, significantly strengthen the immune system. However, as a rule, the greater the increase in lean body mass due to the steroid
, the lower the body's ability to fight infections and overall quality of life.

• - Infertility.

Effect of steroids

on the reproductive system is so great that they have been approved by WHO as powerful contraceptives.
Infertility develops due to the ability of these drugs to disrupt the balance of hormones
in women with a regular menstrual cycle. In men, they reduce the production of FSH, as a result of which normal sperm production becomes impossible.

• - Blood poisoning.

Many steroid users are afraid to give injections because, as a result of using unsterile needles, they are more likely than other people to develop blood poisoning with a high risk of infectious diseases. They also often experience swelling and pain at the injection site, which can lead to abscesses and the need for medical intervention.

• - Impotence.

Steroid use

causes a decrease in normal testicular function.
After you stop using testosterone, it takes time for the pituitary gland to signal the testes to begin producing the hormone on their own. When taking testosterone
for a long time or in high doses, the testes can completely stop producing it and even atrophy, which ultimately leads to
impotence
.

Popular anabolic steroids

There are a lot of brands of anabolic steroids, but the mechanism of action is the same for all.

Whatever the active substance, when this steroid enters the body it turns into testosterone.

Hence the conclusion - the most effective anabolic steroid is testosterone!

There are many types of testosterone:

• aqueous suspension;
• testosterone propionate;
• enanthate;
• cypinoate

And also several testosterone esters at once. The most famous testosterone mixes are Sustanon 250 and Omnadren.

The downside of testosterone is that it is all injectable forms (you need to give injections).

Testosterone patches are used in medicine, but they are not suitable for sports purposes (the dosages are insignificant).

The second most popular is Dianabol , also known as Methane, also known as Methandienone. This is a tablet preparation with the active ingredient – ​​methandienone.

Previously, the form in the form of methandrostenolone was common. But in the last decade it has gradually disappeared from the market.

Another steroid from the “golden” top three is Deca-durabolin , also known as Deca, also known as Retabolil.

The active ingredient is nandrolone decanoate. Also an injectable drug.

It is distinguished by a very long “inclusion” in work with the same long-term preservation of the anabolic effect in the body.

These three anabolic steroids are classics of the genre for quickly gaining muscle mass and strength. The most powerful, effective, with a “bouquet” of side effects.

The next group of drugs solves narrower problems:

1. To gain strength without increasing body weight - Winstrol, Trenbolone, Turinabol.
2. “Anavar” and “Winstrol” are well suited for relief work.
3. Anadrol improves venousness.

Some are lighter versions of “heavy” steroids. For example, it is believed that Equipoise (aka Boldenone) is a mild analogue of nandrolone decanoate.

Is steroid use justified?

Bodybuilders, refusing to take steroids and other sports pharmacology, rely only on their own strength and lasting enthusiasm. They take a more responsible approach to planning training and develop a special diet. This choice is made by those who want to engage in bodybuilding, but due to certain prejudices or contraindications, they consciously refuse to take anabolic drugs.

Athletes who are devoid of such prejudices use special preparations in the process of cutting and gaining weight. This course provides the body with reliable support. These include oral steroids, injectable steroids and growth hormone and peptides. When deciding on auxiliary pharmacology in sports, you need to remember the rules for combining drugs. Taking them helps

• gain muscle mass,
• create a beautiful muscle relief,
• strengthen the immune system,
• increase endurance.

The main task is to contact a competent specialist who will draw up a correct schedule for taking steroids. During the period of using pharmacology, it is necessary to regularly examine the body and monitor indicators. This will avoid side effects and other negative reactions.