Steroids Essay, Research Paper

Muscle enhancers are exactly what they say they are. They are dietary supplements and drugs that increase mass and build muscle bigger and faster. There really is no reason for muscle enhancers to be fake. They work for almost all people. However it’s not whether or not they work you should be worried about as much as the side affects of them. The most well known side affects are genital shrinkage acne and “roid rage.” However there is a much more extensive list of side affects documented.

There are two types of muscle enhancers. Legal and illegal. It’s pretty obvious which ones are which. The people who get to decide which ones are legal or not are government agencies such as Food Drug Administration. There are many other government run agencies but the FDA decides what’s what. First of all there’s the more well known legal enhancers such as creatine and your common store bought supplements and weight gainers. The most popular however is creatine. This has become one of the most accepted new supplements out on the market. “So far companies that sell the supplement are cashing in on big profits. In 1997, there was $3 billion worth of creatine sales in Canada and the United States and sales continue to rise.(The London Free Press)” “Creatine is a nutrient naturally found in the body. In muscle tissue, creatin converts ADP (adenosine diphosphate) into ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is the ?fuel’ that powers muscle contractions. But there is only enough ATP ?fuel’ to power about ten seconds of muscle work. For brief, intense workouts, more ATP must continually be supplied to the muscles. With extra creatine supplementation, muscle cells can make and use more ATP. This helps prevent fatigue and helps muscle gain strength, power and size. (Rocky Mountain News)” One of the less well known legal enhancers is androstenidione. It is used by the famous Mark McGwire. It is a natural supplement just like creatine only it has a more potent effect. However little if nothing is known about this new miracle supplement As little is known about this drug it is thought that this can have side affects especially for young people. “… because the supplement, androstenedione, is essentially a building block of the male hormone testosterone, some researchers believe it has risks, especially for young people going through puberty who could face stunted growth or even liver damage.(The Associated Press)”

Of course everyone knows about steroids and that they are not legal, but most people don’t know the different types of steroids and how they work. Most often first time steroid users start out taking the pills orally. However when these steroids are introduced to the body for a long time this way is no longer as effective. Thus for quicker results the users inject the drugs directly in their bodies. They shoot up like any heroine addict would. Different types are taken different ways. “But when I took Winstrol, I said, ?Okay I’ll take this drug but I won’t take the stronger drug Dianabol because that’s dangerous.’ Even though Winstrol is probably just as dangerous. There was an older fellow that started working at my hometown gym, so when I came back from college to live back at home, this guy introduced me to Dianabol. He said, ?If you really want to get big, you’ll take Dianabol.’ … ?Yeah ok I’ll take Dianabol, but I’ll never shoot myself. I’ll never inject myself.’ And sure enough, if you really want to get big, you’re gonna ? you know ? here you go the testosterone injections and bang, go ahead, shoot me in my tricep. ( Lukas, PH.D.)

Although there are benefits to both legal and illegal enhancers the risks of illegal enhancers are much higher. “Oral Steroids are very hard on the liver. Since the steroid doses are so high, the liver cannot keep up and is overworked. As the liver becomes damaged, its liquid, bile, is released into the bloodstream. Bile is normally squirted into you stomach to help you digest fatty foods. But when bile gets in the blood, it makes your skin and the white part of your eyes turn yellow … Long term steroid use may decrease our defense against the thousands of viruses, bacteria, and fungi to which we are exposed. This same immune system also takes care of the occasional cancer cell. The reduction of immune function by steroids may let cancer cells develop.(Lukas, PH.D.)” Not only are there physical downfalls but steroids also cause mental problems. What is known as “roid rage” is the most well known and common symptom of steroid users. The use of steroids creates an increased aggravation level due to the presence of too much testosterone. This is considered a good thing by most football players who take steroids because it is good to be aggressive in a game. However you cannot control the aggravation. A person on steroids can erupt at any moment.

The problem of steroids can be alleviated in society today. We should teach our children about steroids just like we do any other drug. We should encourage learning about the consequences of steroids and how there are many more cons than pros. We can help with this problem it’s just a matter of trying.

318