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Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are man-made substances related to male sex hormones. Medical uses of anabolic steroids include some hormone problems in men, late puberty and muscle loss from some diseases.

Bodybuilders and athletes often use anabolic steroids to build muscles and improve athletic performance. But using them this way is not legal or safe. Abuse of anabolic steroids has been linked with many health problems. They range from unattractive to life threatening and include

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Anabolic Steroid on Wikipedia

''' has admitted to years of anabolic steroid use. '''Anabolic steroids''' are a class of natural and synthetic steroid hormones that promote cell growth and division, resulting in growth of muscle tissue and sometimes bone size and strength. Testosterone is the best known natural anabolic steroid, as well as the best known natural androgen.

Effects

Most anabolic steroids work by activation of androgen receptors, producing ''anabolic'' and ''virilization'' effects. Examples of anabolic effects: * Increased protein synthesis from amino acids * Increased muscle mass and strength * Increased appetite * Increased bone remodelling and growth * Stimulation of bone marrow increasing production of red blood cells Examples of virilizing effects: * Growth of the clitoris (clitoral hypertrophy) in females and the penis in male children (the adult penis does not grow indefinitely even when exposed to high doses of androgens) * Increased growth of androgen-sensitive hair (pubic hair, beard, chest, and limb hair) * Increased vocal cord size, deepening the voice * Increased libido * Suppression of endogenous sex hormones * Impaired spermatogenesis Many androgens are metabolized to compounds which also cross-react with estrogen receptors, producing additional (usually) unwanted effects: * Accelerated bone age in children * Increased breast growth (in males) A hormone with purely anabolic effects would have many uses, but in many cases the usefulness is limited by unwanted virilizing effects. Many of the synthetic anabolic steroids were devised in an attempt to find molecules that produced a higher degree of anabolic rather than virilizing effects. Other side effects (some the opposite of intended effects) include elevated blood pressure ...   [ Read More ]

External Resources

Bio Comics - Take a comic book adventure inside the human body with Captain Biography as he faces off against smoking, HIV asthma, anabolic steroids, skin cancer and biological villans inspired by real-life health threats. Kids can face Sinister Smoke in an interactive games section endorsed by the American Cancer Society.

AnabolicSteroids.com - Sells a product which is a legal alternative to anabolic steroids and "The Steroid Bible", a publication about steroids.

SDI Labs - Offers sources and information about bodybuilding and anabolic steroids.

AnabolicEurope.com - A Slovenia source for anabolic steroids.

Anabolic Steroid Success - A Slovenian source with 20 sample cycles.

24HourPPC.org - A Cyprus supplier of anabolic steroids.

Medica-Center - Order anabolic steroids and other non-prescription medication.

Eurobolica - European pharmaceutical supplier offering wide list of anabolic steroids, protection and fat loss products.

Anasci.org - Large anabolic and bodybuilding forum and community. Offers access to a reliable steroid source list.

Medibolics - Newsletter on HIV and nutrition, including anabolic steroids and experimental and nontraditional medical therapies.

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