Anabolic steroid use has been in the news recently with
baseball player Roger Clemens's testimony before Congress
in regard to his alleged use.
Clemens allegedly used Anabolic steroids which are illegal
to use except for certain prescribed and specific medical
conditions. They must also be used under a physician's
strict supervision. However, when taken without medical
supervision, they can have dangerous and even deadly side
effects; even once off the drug, the side effects can be
permanent.
For example, in 1992, football player Lyle Alzado died of a
cancerous brain tumor that may in part have been caused by
his long-term anabolic steroid use. There are certain
steroidal medications, such as cortisone or other
corticosteroids, which are also carefully prescribed under
a doctor's supervision. These function as
anti-inflammatories and are different than the anabolic
steroids athletes use.
In sports, anabolic steroids are illegal in part because
they artificially enhance performance instead of relying on
the athlete's own innate ability and physical fitness to
bolster performance. This, of course, is unethical. The
only way to win fairly and without cheating is to rely on
your own abilities. You have to work hard to maintain peak
physical fitness and performance, but it's the only right
way to win.
Oftentimes, athletes, and especially young athletes,
overlook the dangers of taking steroids to get the
short-term performance benefits steroids can give them.
However, this is a dangerous and even deadly practice, with
long-term health consequences.
Here's what can happen when athletes or anyone else take
anabolic steroids:
* High blood pressure (which in turn can cause stroke or
heart attack)
* A reduction in "good" cholesterol
* Cancer
* Liver damage
* Aggressive behavior, even leading to violence
* Depression
* Acne
* Stunted growth in young people
* Hair loss
* "Reverse" gender characteristics' appearance, such as
breast growth in men and facial/body hair growth and breast
reduction in women
Although enhancing your performance by natural, honest
methods is not as quick and easy as steroid use, in the
long run, it's much healthier and ethical to do so.
First, there's no substitute for regular exercise. Exercise
produces a natural "high" of its own, because it releases
"feel-good" hormones called endorphins. However, endorphins
are a completely healthy high and only benefit you.
Second, a good diet is also essential. Without proper
nutrition, your body can't function as it should. You need
to fuel your "engines" properly in order to work out
effectively.
Third, if the person is still growing, they have to be
careful as to how much they challenge themselves with
weightlifting or other extremely strenuous sports. Of
course, weightlifting is good when done in moderation so
that you can build muscles, but young athletes especially
have to be careful of injury that may in fact be permanent.
Only perform extreme types of exercise such as
weightlifting under a coach's specific supervision.
Finally, there are some supplements you can take that
appear to be healthy and beneficial. A good multivitamin
supplement is a good start.
Even though the focus of many sports is "to win," remember
that you have to win honestly and fairly. If you don't, it
simply doesn't count.
----------------------------------------------------
Scott Becker is an expert in the fields of health and
nutrition. He has been writing on numerous topics for the
past 10 years. Along with writing, he now owns
http://www.scottbeckerlive.com , a sports nutrition company
serving the weekend athlete. For more information go to
http://healthfitnessvitamins.com
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