Brain may be affected by steroid abuse

Leslie Henderson cares about teenagers. She is troubled because a lot of teenagers administer anabolic steroids that may be dangerous for them. These remedies may make adolescents aggressive. Furthermore, steroids may affect various systems of users. According to Leslie Henderson, the most dangerous aspect related to administration of these preparations by teenagers is following: these products influence on the brain negatively. They affect not only functions of the brain; they also change the way it acts.
Anabolic steroids have been introduced in order to treat certain diseases. These preparations can induce development of secondary male characteristics in boys with delayed puberty. They are capable to prevent muscle wasting in persons that have HIV/AIDS and other health problems. But these products are also widely abused. They are used for enhancement of muscle mass and endurance. When physicians recommend taking steroids to cure certain diseases, they indicate relatively reduced quantities that don’t produce grave unwanted effects. When these drugs are administered for performance-enhancing effects, dosages are enhanced. But it is necessary to know that enhanced doses may lead to dangerous undesirable results.
Non-therapeutic intake of steroids is very dangerous for adolescents. Their systems have not been yet developed. That’s why these products may cause irreversible changes in them. Steroids may destroy their physical as well psychological health of teenagers. As a result, side consequences of steroids are manifested in them not only during adolescence but also when they grow up. If adult persons abuse steroids, they usually don’t suffer from such long-term serious adverse reactions, as adolescents experience. That’s why Leslie Henderson and other specialists affirm that it is necessary to warn teenagers about negative influence of steroids on them. They should know about all probable risks. If adolescents know about grave negative effects of steroids, they will probably discontinue administering these preparations for improvement of appearance and performance.

Obesity may be treated at early stages of development

A recent study has showed that glucocorticosteroids promote developing fat storage. These natural steroids have direct influence on androgen receptors that reduce body fat levels.
This study is especially precious in our era, when a lot of persons experience obesity. According to affirmations of several scientists, it is required to decrease amount of glucocorticosteroids in order to avoid or cure obesity.
When scientists conducted this study, they had the following goal: they desired to comprehend ways, causes and stages of development of fat deposits. Basing upon results of the study, the specialists have affirmed that androgen receptors should be activated in order to reduce fat deposits. So, obesity could be treated even at the early stages of development.
The androgen testosterone binds itself to androgen receptors. Thus, androgen receptors become capable to control creation of muscle mass, increase defined muscles, etc.
According to the researchers, glucocorticosteroids lower activity of androgen receptors. So, they become ineffective to control creation of muscle mass and reduction of fat storage. That’s why especially abdominal parts become fatty.
The researchers confirm that this study can induce developing new methods to treat and prevent obesity. The new treatment strategies will be linked with glucocorticosteroids and androgen receptors.

British steroid law prohibits to buy steroids online

British citizens are not allowed to purchase steroids per internet. Importation of steroids into the UK is claimed to be criminal under a new amendment to the steroid law. Those who live in the UK and import steroids into the country are sanctioned by authorities. But Britons may freely purchase, possess and apply steroids.
According to the “personal custody”, those that arrived to London for the 2012 Olympic Games were allowed to import steroids for self-administration. It was not claimed to be illegal under British laws. Nevertheless, those that live inside the UK don’t have any right to purchase steroids at online pharmacies and import them from other countries to the UK.
Earlier British citizens were allowed to acquire steroids from outside the country. The amendment was provided by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) in order to protect health of those that administer steroids. But is the amendment able to do it?
A lot of underground labs produce anabolic steroids inside the UK. They prosper on account of the amendment. But it is necessary to take into account that a lot of underground labs produce steroids of low quality. So, British citizens have to buy steroids of low quality because it is prohibited to import steroids which are manufactured outside the country by safe pharmaceutical companies.
Authorities warned Needle-Syringe Program (NSP) workers that they would have to work more. It was claimed that the amendment would raise the number of steroid users.
Actually, the amendment is likely to have negative influence on health of steroid users. Steroid-using athletes and bodybuilders may get severe unwanted consequences because they switch from quality steroids manufactured by safe pharmaceutical companies to worse drugs manufactured by underground labs located in the UK.

While steroids don’t cause addiction, muscularity may be addictive

Federal prosecutors don’t possess sufficient knowledge about anabolic steroids, however they pursue those that manufacture, administer and/or distribute these preparations. They don’t study scientific literature about these products. The government uses information which is written in Wikipedia. However feds say about adverse reactions of steroids, they don’t know about these aspects sufficiently. Citing statements about steroids written in Wikipedia, they punish consumers/manufacturers/distributors of these drugs, confirming that these medications represent evil.
Several important questions appear here: Is it correct to base upon information provided in Wikipedia in such cases? Are these affirmations true? Aren’t they exposed to manipulations? Aren’t they mixed with personal opinions of contributors?
Maurice Hall, the associate professor of communication and culture at Villanova University, claims that it is not reasonable to base wholly upon affirmations presented in Wikipedia. He affirms that Wikipedia serves a good guide for footnotes. But statements presented in Wikipedia may be not true completely.
For example, when John Isaac Hudelson was sentenced to prison, federal prosecutors based their conclusions linked with illegal operations of this person upon affirmations cited from Wikipedia. Feds affirmed that Hudelson deserved to serve 47-54 months in prison because he used and distributed steroids. Stephen Greubel, the defense attorney for Hudelson, confirmed that 47-54 months in jail were too much for his client. He confirmed that Hudelson sold steroids, products that differed from such drugs, as amphetamine, methamphetamine, codeine, morphine, etc. Stephen Greubel confirmed that steroids didn’t cause addiction.
Feds affirmed that John Isaac Hudelson manufactured, used and distributed steroids to his friends. They confirmed that while steroids didn’t cause addiction, desire to be muscular could be addictive. Furthermore, they added that steroids could cause grave unwanted consequences. All statements of feds were based upon those provided in Wikipedia.
Ultimately, the government sent Isaac John Hudelson to 37 months in jail.

Tyler Hamilton: it is easy to take EPO and avoid detection

Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle have written a book related to intake of EPO and anabolic steroids. Guidelines described in the book can serve as a proof that the famous cyclist Lance Armstrong administered banned medicines. The book has been entitled following: “The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at all Costs”. The book contains instructions connected with application of EPO and steroids in cycling and ways to avoid detection. It demonstrates that drug testing is inefficacious in this sport.
Tyler Hamilton affirms that sportspersons can apply steroids without being caught. The author confirms that the WADA doesn’t have any possibility to win. Hamilton describes weakness of the WADA in testing athletes for forbidden substances.
According to Tyler Hamilton, it is not difficult to avoid detection while taking EPO. It is necessary to apply the procedure “microdosing”. What does it actually represent? Sportspeople should not introduce 2,000 Units of EPO under the skin each 3-4 days. They should inject 400-500 Units of EPO each 3rd or 4th night intravenously. This method is called “microdosing”. Using this way of administration, cyclists can avoid detection without any trouble.
Since microdosing is a suitable method to avoid detection while using EPO, this method must be appropriate in case of steroid use as well. So, Tyler Hamilton suggests that cyclists and other sportspersons can avoid detection while taking anabolic steroids. He presents recommendations related to this issue in details in the book.  The author describes how it is possible to hit tests of anti-doping agencies.
Actually, it is unlikely that recommendations provided in Tyler’s book will modify essence of cycling. While introduction of the biological passport into anti-doping system can’t stop doping, introduction of microdosing into usage of EPO is not the new beginning of doping in cycling. Tips of Hamilton may alter just the nature of doping in this sport. Intake of doping products is a part of cycling. Let notice the truth. Like clean sport doesn’t exist at the high level.

Efficacy of different steroids

Steroids may be classified into 3 groups: corticosteroids, estrogens and progestogens, and anabolic-androgenic steroids.
Essence of corticosteroids is similar to that of hormones secreted in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids may be in form of creams, ointment, inhalation medicines, etc. They are prescribed to treat inflammations, allergy, illnesses of respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal and other systems.
Estrogens and progestogens are female sex hormones. These hormones induce developing female secondary characteristics. Birth control remedies contain these substances.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids represent drugs which are also widely applied in medicine. They are capable to cure certain types of breast cancer, testicular cancer, anemia, etc. These medications are frequently prescribed to receive better and faster recovery after some surgeries. Burn victims, individuals with HIV/AIDS take anabolic-androgenic steroids in order to prevent muscle loss. Certain steroids are also indicated to treat osteoporosis. These drugs are also taken for treatment of infertility.
Moreover, anabolic-androgenic steroids are taken for athletic needs. These medications are able to create muscles and promote enhancing strength. That’s why a lot of sportspersons and bodybuilders take them for performance-enhancing effects. Several anabolic-androgenic steroids are capable also to promote burning fat, making muscles defined.
Usage of anabolic-androgenic steroids for non-medical purposes is forbidden under laws of several countries. Those who manufacture, distribute, buy and administer these medications illegally may be sentenced to jail and/or fines. These drugs belong to illicit preparations in several countries because they may cause various adverse effects. While several side results are slight and disappear after discontinuation of intake, others are sever and even irreversible. Those that desire to receive benefits, applying steroids for medical purposes, should apply these medicines under instructions of physicians.

Anna Watson doesn’t desire to use steroids

When it is noted about cheerleaders, we imagine active and thin females. But we should recognize that sometimes the reality differs from our imagination. Anna Watson is an example in this situation. She has great muscles. But she is very pretty.
Elite Model Management offered her a $75000 contract. But she refused to get it. In fact, it is surprisingly because numerous ladies want to obtain such contracts. But she didn’t want to get it because she had to take steroids for this purpose.
When Anna Watson entered Hawaii Pacific University, she started weight lifting. The lady trained hardly and consumed circa 3000 calorie daily. Finally she was able to lift 230 pounds. But her weight was not enough to get a modeling fitness contract. Although she ate much protein, she could not gain necessary pounds.
A modeling agent confirmed that Anavar could help her to increase weight. Anna Watson was required to add 50 pounds in order to get the contract. Thus, she began to take the steroid Anavar in order to increase body mass. She was eating “forever”, even if she didn’t feel hunger. Despites of her efforts, diet and application of Anavar, she could not get 50 pounds. The cheerleader added only 10 pounds.
The cheerleader Anna Watson is a religious person. She attends a local church. Finally, she made a decision to ask a weight lifting champion for advice. Hugh Kirby that is also a member of the church has advised her to stay far from administration of steroids. He affirmed that steroids could cause different adverse reactions. This man also reminded that steroids could cause infertility. Thus, Hugh Kirby claimed that it would be better to refuse the contract instead of getting health problems, especially infertility.
So, the cheerleader Anna Watson didn’t agree to obtain the contract. But she decided to continue her workouts. The cheerleader wants to become a personal trainer.
Actually, Anna Watson made a proper decision. It is reasonable to keep female characteristics without a modeling contract instead of getting the contract and suffering from effects of masculinization owing to administration of steroids.

Steroid dealers avoid imprisonment

Although it is illegal to sell anabolic steroids in some countries, some steroid dealers are not sanctioned appropriately. For example, lately two persons that sold steroids illegally avoided imprisonment. They were sentenced only to work several hours. However these individuals advertised and sold steroids per internet, they avoided prison successfully. These individuals sold preparations which could affect health of consumers. That’s why they had to be sanctioned more harshly.
Many users of steroids don’t know anything about risks related to them. They don’t know that administration of steroids may lead to certain health troubles. It is important to consider that certain steroids are aromatizable. It means that they may convert into estrogen, enhancing levels of this hormone. As a result, male users of such steroids may experience gynecomastia, abnormal fat distribution, water retention, etc. Of course, gynecomastia is very unpleasant effect for men. Sometimes it can’t be treated with preparations. So, it may require an operation.
Several steroids are dangerous for women. They may cause masculinizing effects in them. So, certain women that administer androgenic steroids have deep voice, excessive hair growth on the body, hair loss, menstrual irregularities, infertility, etc.
Many steroids may influence on liver negatively. They may lead to liver diseases. If anyone has had liver dysfunctions before administration of steroids, these medicines may lead to more serious complications.
Nevertheless, no one can doubt about positive effects that can be acquired owing to intake of steroids. These drugs promote creating new muscle tissues. They also increase existing muscles. Furthermore, these preparations help to gain energy. Certain steroids induce fat loss, making muscle more defined.
However probable benefits of steroids are great, it is important to consider potential side reactions. It is confirmed that steroids may lead to depression and uncontrolled aggressiveness. So, certain consumers of these drugs commit various crimes. While certain users may commit suicides, others violate, murder other individuals.
Steroids may lead also to other undesirable results that are not noted in the article. People should be aware of what they use. Those who sell these drugs illegally should be sentenced appropriately.

Administration of steroids by football players

Many articles report about administration of steroids in baseball. Sportswriters and journalists describe steroid scandals which take place in this sport. It is widely discussed about steroid era in baseball. Professional baseball players are subjected to many drug tests. It seems that every individual interested in sports demonizes baseball players for intake of doping products. Do only baseball players take steroids and other related drugs? What do you think about football players? Don’t they dope? Why do we blame only baseball players for application of banned preparations?
Intake of doping products is widespread in football. Since 1960s application of performance-enhancing drugs plays a significant role in this sport. It is difficult to imagine football without intake of steroids and other related remedies.
Strength and size are substantial features in football. Certain people believe that football players have great strength just because of intensive trainings and appropriate diets. But it is wrong. Numerous football players administer banned substances in order to gain strength and enhance increasing muscle size.
As you notice, intake of forbidden preparations is widespread in football. Nonetheless, baseball players are more widely blamed for application of steroids and other related products. Such baseball players, as Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds were exposed to public shame on account of steroid use. But such football players, as Lyle Alzado, Shawne Merriman, Chris Cooper and Thomas Romanowski, also administered banned drugs. Nevertheless, they were not so widely criticized, as dopers in baseball.
Moreover, it is important to take in consideration that usage of steroids is more dangerous in football.
It is affirmed that football is unlikely to be cleaned from doping.

Dangers linked with teens’ addiction to steroids

Teenagers’ addiction to anabolic steroids becomes a great problem today. Why do teens administer these drugs? They do it in order to enhance their muscles, lower fat deposits and make muscles hard. They desire to make their bodies more attractive. Actually, teenagers use these substances because they want to look like models, sports stars and heroes. Since teens desire to be celebrated so, as well-known athletes are, they put efforts to improve their physique and performance with anabolic steroids.
But teenagers don’t consider some important aspects in this situation. Firstly, professional sportspersons and bodybuilders ask doctors for guidelines. So, physicians indicate how they should administer steroids. That’s why application of anabolic steroids by famous sportspeople is relatively safe. As for adolescents, they don’t know what they administer; they don’t know how steroids should be taken. Secondly, the process of development is not over in adolescents. That’s why steroids may be dangerous for them. Anabolic steroids may damage functions of reproductive, cardiovascular and other systems in adolescents.
Unluckily, numerous teens administer anabolic steroids. Several surveys of the Michigan University manifest that the number of steroid users in high schools continues to enhance.
Furthermore, it is not a problem to get these remedies. High schools students get steroids without significant efforts.
As a result, several adolescents become addicted to steroids. While some teenagers try to cease administering these preparations, they can’t do it. In fact, it is quite difficult to escape from this addiction. Addicted consumers of steroids can’t discontinue using these drugs without help of high-qualified specialists. They must stay in special centers of rehabilitation where well-trained experts help them to escape from the addiction.
It is necessary to educate teenagers about risks linked with anabolic steroids. Teens must know not only about positive effects of these drugs. They should be educated also about adverse reactions of these drugs. If schoolchildren and high school students are not taught about disadvantages of steroids, they will take these medicines. Finally, their systems will be destructed. If the society doesn’t care about teenagers, they will experience many health troubles.

New drug tests elaborated by anti-doping agencies

While athletes that dope seek new ways to avoid detection, anti-doping officers create new tools in order to catch those that take prohibited products. One of new techniques elaborated into anti-doping system is biological passport. It helps to determine whether an athlete has doped. The biological passport measures some biomarkers that may indicate whether an individual has applied certain substances. Thus, it can measure hemoglobin levels. Unexplained low or high hemoglobin levels may indicate doping. Thus, the biological passport determines physical changes which play great role in detection.
It is obvious that anti-doping policy becomes more sophisticated. It introduces new techniques to catch dopers and clean sports.
If you compare drug tests which have been utilized earlier with those which are utilized nowadays, you can understand that the difference is essential. Anti-doping efforts are significant. Drug testing becomes more progressive.
It was also introduced a test for detection of CERA. This medicine was originally created in order to cure anemia related to kidney disorders. Since earlier there was not any drug test that could determine metabolites of this substance, Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain avoided detection at the Beijing Olympics. Recently his sample was re-analyzed. Anti-doping officers determined that this athlete had applied CERA. As a result, he lost his awards.
Earlier it was difficult and even quite impossible to catch those that applied HGH. Recently a blood test for this medicine was also elaborated.
Another new drug test, known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, was also lately developed. This test helps to set whether testosterone has been taken from outsides or it has been produced in the body naturally.
Thus, anti-doping system is more advanced nowadays. Anti-doping officials claim that they will be able to make sports free from administration of doping products.

Doping plays great role in sports

The American cyclist Lance Armstrong never tested positive for any prohibited substance. But the sportsman forfeited his seven Tour de France titles because the USADA claimed that he had doped.
You can notice that intake of banned medications is considered to be an ultimate sin of competitive athletes. They are banned, if they are found guilty or just accused of doping.
For example, Dwain Chambers, a British sprinter, was suspended because he tested positive for tetrahydrogestrinone. This sportsman confirmed that he was not the only Olympic  sprinter that used steroids. According to his statements, many runners of the US racing team applied prohibited medications.
Several persons are probably bothered by reading articles about war on intake of banned products in sports. It seems that the fight never ends. However anti-doping agencies try to eradicate doping from professional sports, many sportspersons continue administering banned medicines. It is impossible to confront doping. It seems that it is better to legalize intake of performance-enhancing drugs. Let athletes take whatever they desire!
Sportspeople break more breathtaking records from one year to another. It will be needed to measure thousandths of a second in order to set who the winner is. It seems that it will be impossible to define with a naked eye the fastest sprinters. That’s why some experts fear that it will be too difficult to keep sports interesting.
Certain specialists recognize that anti-doping systems fail. Athletes who have never tested positive for any banned medication are banned. Drug tests are not capable to induce catching those that use steroids and/or other doping products.
Doping reigns in sports. Almost every winner of Tour de France has been involved in a doping case.
The society has great expectations. Athletes have to push their bodies till the limits in order to win. They have to apply steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs in order to keep their reputations and not disappoint fans. The society should be blamed for athletes’ doping. Not only athletes should be blamed for intake of banned substances. The society creates such culture where athletes can’t prosper without application of certain medicines. That’s why it is necessary to discontinue blaming athletes. It is better to permit doping in sports. Every sport should compose own list of forbidden medicines. Just products which are harmful to certain sport itself should be prohibited. Let take boxing as an example. This sport must ban just those products which withdraw fear because removing of fear in this sport is against its spirit.

Influence of public fights against doping on manufacture of steroids

It is believed that steroid scandals must influence negatively on manufacture of these medicines. But manufacturers of these products find ways to take advantages of various steroid scandals. So, pharmaceutical companies use them in order to advertise own preparations.
Let take as an example the governmental case against Barry Bonds. However one may suggest that this steroid scandal must suppress purchase of some preparations, the reality has displayed opposite things. The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories could avail itself of the case. The company found many possibilities to advertise transdermal testosterone because of the accusations connected with Barry Bonds’ doping.
It was claimed that the former baseball player Barry Bonds used the transdermal testosterone product “AndroGel”. Of course, numerous journalists published news about this case. The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories utilized this public scandal and started to advertise this product. Many Barry Bonds’ fans started purchasing and using this gel. This situation influenced on profits of the company significantly. According to certain sources, the profits of Abbott Laboratories turned out to be great.
Testosterone products are widely prescribed and used. Numerous individuals administer them for testosterone replacement therapy. The number of steroid prescriptions has increased by 90 % during last five years. So, the number of those that use steroids is growing.
The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories manufactures and sells the testosterone product “AndroGel”. Since other companies noticed that testosterone gel was in high demand, they also started to produce it. So, such products, as  AndroDream and Axiron, appeared. While AndroDream is manufactured by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Axiron is sold by Eli Lilly.
Pharmaceutical companies promote selling their preparations. They claim that steroids have positive influence on males’ health. It is obvious that any company comprehends that since many males have insufficient secretion of testosterone and since these drugs are administered for obtaining of muscle mass and endurance, the number of potential customers is great.

Should persons with asthma administer inhaled steroids each day?

Inhaled corticosteroids are preparations which are applied in case of asthma by kids and adults. Individuals that experience mild, moderate and severe asthma administer these medicines each day. These medicines prevent inflammation of the airways. Health care providers supervise patients with this disease, adjusting dosage schedule each 6 weeks.
Unfortunately, inhaled corticosteroids, like other medications, may lead to unwanted reactions. Regular usage of these preparations is associated with certain risks. Is there any method for individuals with asthma to avoid these problems?
A recent study has manifested that doctors should not recommend using these medications daily to persons with mild-to-moderate asthma. This study turned out to be very valuable. It is likely to alter indications related to treatment of asthma.
The study was conducted by scientists of the Texas Medical Brach in Galveston. The doctor William Calhoun and his colleagues enrolled 340 individuals with asthma in the research. Certain individuals received inhaled steroids each day; others administered these medications, when symptoms of asthma attacks appeared. Bronchial reactivity and functions of lungs were measured by the doctors during nine months. The results of the research displayed that there was not any essential difference between these two groups.
According to the specialists, if inhaled steroids are applied, when symptoms occur, exacerbation can be prevented. Furthermore, these products have prolonged action. It means that benefits are felt even certain days after application. The scientists suggest that these preparations may be taken by persons with mild-to-moderate asthma only when symptoms appear.
Why is this study valuable? According to certain sources, 25 million Americans experience asthma. Of course, they must be treated. This piece of news must be valuable for them. Furthermore, if inhaled steroids are taken prolonged period of time, they may lead to serious undesirable reactions, such as hormonal imbalance, cataract, etc. So, if individuals that suffer from mild-to-moderate asthma don’t administer these preparations each day, they are more unlikely to get these unwanted results.
Of course, it is early to change recommendations linked with treatment of asthma. But this study may serve as a basis for further studies which may lead to several changes.