Basic about Anabolic Steroids

The history of Steroids

Anabolic steroids were developed in the late 1930s primarily to treat hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes do not produce sufficient testosterone for normal growth, development, and sexual functioning.

Anabolic Steroids

These are synthetic derivatives of testosterone; a hormone that occurs naturally in the body controlling many functions. Among these functions is the promoting of anabolism. Steroids mimic this natural occurring event and have the ability to do so at an accelerated rate. Though the exact means by which steroids exert their effects is still somewhat of a mystery, some aspects are known for certain. Onceanabolic steroids are in the blood, they bind to androgen receptor sites. Then they enter the cell, just like the endogenous hormone would, and alter the function of that cell. After changes in DNA and RNApatterns, an increased rate of protein synthesis is observed. This increase is thought to occur simultaneous to increased nitrogen retention by some and secondary to it by others. The important thing is that it happens, not how it happens actually, because this retention of nitrogen is actually a sign that muscle tissue is being deposited.Anabolic steroids also inhibit the amount of a catabolic hormone called cortisol that enters muscle tissue. Less of this hormone is thought to aid in muscle growth as well. Anabolic steroids can be broken down into two classifications; anabolic and androgenic. The type and concentration of androgen receptors found within an organ or tissue determine to what degree it is effected by the anabolic or the androgenic features. Since anabolic steroids are not totally separated between the two, both are felt to some degree when any steroid is used.Testosterone is a "male" hormone, because it is responsible for developing some of the male characteristics such as lowering of the voice and hair growth, and because the male body produces much more of it than the female.Testosterone in the male is produced mainly in the testis, a small amount being produced in the adrenal. It is synthesized from cholesterol. The regulation of its production may be simplified thus: the hypothalamus (part of the brain) produces gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) which acts on the anterior pituitary to increase the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). LH acts on the Leydig cells in the testis, causing them to produce testosterone. FSH, together with testosterone act on the Sertoli cells in the testis to regulate the production and maturation of spermatozoa. Testosterone in turn acts on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary to suppress the production of GnRH, FSHand LH, producing a negative-feedback mechanism which keeps everything well-regulated. The small amount produced in the adrenal (in both sexes) is regulated by secretion of adrenal corticotrophin hormone (ACTH), also secreted by the pituitary.Testosterone, and its metabolites such as dihydrotestosterone, act in many parts of the body, producing the secondary sexual characteristics often male: balding, facial and body hair, deep voice, greater muscle bulk, thicker skin, and genital maturity. At puberty it produces acne, the growth spurt and the enlargement of the penis and testes as well as causing the fusion of the epiphyses (through its conversion to estrogens), bringing growth in height to an end. It plays some role in maintaining the sexual organs in the adult, but only a low concentration is required for this.The normal production of testosterone in the adult male is 4 to 9mg per day. The normal plasma concentration is 22.5nmol/l, of which 97% is protein bound. Most is excreted in the urine as 17-keto steroids, but a small amount is converted to estrogen's. It would be great if steroids only exerted their effect on muscles but unfortunately, they effect many other parts of the body as well. This is why gains in muscularity are accompanied by side effects.

The legal use of steroids

Steroids are used for treating anemia, because of it's ability to increase the production of red blood corpuscles (red blood cells). They are also used for treatment of leukemia, cancer mammae, and at times steroids are also used for general strengthening therapy. Steroids have also been tried in combination with other drugs as a means of helping AIDS patients.

Oral vs. injectable

Injectable steroids are longer lasting in the body, but therefore they can be detected in your body for a longer period of time, so athletes that are likely to be doping tested have shifted from using injectables to orals.
The problem with orals however, aside from the fact that they are not as long lasting, is that they put a lot of strain on the liver as they must be processed there. Larger quantities are also needed as a lot of it is broken down before it enters the bloodstream.

Facts

1 Fact: 40% substances sold as anabolic steroids are diluted, contaminated, or simply fake.

2 Fact:Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances related to the male sex hormones, called androgens. Doses taken by abusers can be up to10- 50 times greater than doses used for treating medical conditions!

3 Fact: Under Federal law it is illegal to possess or distribute anabolic steroids for non-medical uses. However, heavy demand has generated a black market with estimated sales of up to $900 million a year!

4 Fact: The overwhelming majority of black market anabolic steroids contain little or no active ingredients at all. Many of them are counterfeit or completely fake altogether.