Leslie Henderson: steroids are very dangerous for adolescents

Leslie Henderson cares about teenagers. She is troubled because numerous adolescents administer anabolic steroids which may be dangerous for them. These products may make adolescents aggressive. Furthermore, steroids may affect various systems of consumers. According to Leslie Henderson, the most dangerous aspect related to usage of these medicines by adolescents is following: these drugs influence on the brain negatively. They affect not only functions of the brain; they also change the way it acts.
Anabolic steroids have been developed in order to cure some illnesses. These products are able to promote development of secondary male features in males with delayed puberty. They have ability to prevent muscle wasting in persons that have HIV/AIDS and other diseases. But these medications are also widely abused. They are applied for enhancement of muscle mass and strength. When health care providers recommend taking steroids to treat certain health problems, they indicate relatively low quantities which don’t produce dangerous unwanted reactions. When these drugs are taken for performance-enhancing effects, doses are enhanced. But it is necessary to know that enhanced dosages may lead to serious side results.
Non-clinical application of steroids is very dangerous for teenagers. Their systems have not been yet developed. That’s why these preparations may cause irreversible changes in them. Steroids may affect their physical as well psychological health of teenagers. As a result, unwanted results 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 dangerous negative effects, as teenagers experience. That’s why Leslie Henderson and other experts claim that it is necessary to educate teenagers about negative impact of steroids on them. They should know about all potential risks. If teenagers know about dangerous side effects of steroids, they will probably stop taking these preparations for improvement of physique and performance.

Researchers find new ways to treat obesity

A recent research has demonstrated that glucocorticosteroids induce increasing fat levels. These natural steroids have direct influence on androgen receptors that reduce body fat deposits.
This study is especially valuable in our era, when a lot of individuals experience obesity. According to statements of some scientists, it is required to decrease amount of glucocorticosteroids in order to avoid or treat obesity.
When specialists conducted this research, they had the following goal: they wanted to comprehend ways, reasons and stages of development of fat deposits. Basing on results of the study, the scientists have said that androgen receptors should be activated in order to decrease fat accumulation. Thus, obesity could be cured even at the early stages of development.
The androgen testosterone binds itself to androgen receptors. So, androgen receptors become capable to manage buildup of muscle mass, enhance lean muscles, etc.
According to the scientists, glucocorticosteroids decrease activity of androgen receptors. So, they become ineffective to manage buildup of muscle mass and decrease of fat storage. That’s why fat is stored especially in abdominal area.
The experts affirm that this study has capacity to induce introducing new ways to cure and prevent obesity. The new methods will be related to glucocorticosteroids and androgen receptors.

Purchase of steroids via internet is criminal in UK

British persons are not allowed to buy steroids at online drug stores. Importation of steroids into the UK is claimed to be illicit under a new amendment to the steroid law. Those that live in the UK and import steroids into the country are sanctioned by authorities. But Britons may freely buy, possess and use steroids.
According to the “personal custody”, those who came to London for the Olympics were allowed to import steroids for personal use. It was not considered to be illicit under British laws. Nonetheless, those that live inside the UK don’t have any right to buy steroids at online pharmacies and import them from other countries to the UK.
Earlier British citizens were allowed to purchase 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 use steroids. But could the amendment do it?
A lot of underground labs manufacture anabolic steroids inside the UK. They prosper on account of the amendment. But it is important to take in consideration that many underground labs produce steroids of low quality. Thus, British people have to get steroids of low quality because it is forbidden to import steroids that are manufactured outside the country by trustworthy pharmaceutical companies.
The government warned Needle-Syringe Program (NSP) workers that they would have to work more. It was confirmed that the amendment would enhance the number of steroid users.
Actually, the amendment is likely to have negative influence on health of steroid users. Steroid-using sportspeople and bodybuilders may get dangerous adverse consequences because they switch from quality steroids produced by safe pharmaceutical companies to worse products produced by underground labs located in the UK.

It is not reasonable to use information from Wikipedia while punishing steroid users

Federal prosecutors don’t have sufficient knowledge about anabolic steroids, although they pursue those that manufacture, use and/or distribute these preparations. They don’t read scientific literature about these medicines. The government uses information which is presented in Wikipedia. Although feds say about negative consequences of steroids, they don’t know about these aspects sufficiently. Citing statements about steroids provided in Wikipedia, they punish users/manufacturers/distributors of these medications, affirming that these drugs represent evil.
Some important questions appear here: Is it correct to base upon statements provided in Wikipedia in such cases? Are these statements true? Aren’t they exposed to manipulations? Aren’t they mixed with subjective opinions of contributors?
Maurice Hall, the associate professor of communication and culture at Villanova University, affirms that it is not reasonable to base entirely upon affirmations written in Wikipedia. He says that Wikipedia serves a good guide for footnotes. But information written in Wikipedia may be not true entirely.
For example, when John Isaac Hudelson was sentenced to prison, federal prosecutors based their conclusions related to illegal deals of this person upon affirmations cited from Wikipedia. Federal prosecutors confirmed that Hudelson deserved to serve 47-54 months in jail because he administered and distributed steroids. Stephen Greubel, the defense attorney for Hudelson, confirmed that 47-54 months in jail were too much for his client. He claimed that Hudelson distributed steroids, products that differed from such drugs, as amphetamine, methamphetamine, codeine, morphine, etc. The defense attorney confirmed that steroids didn’t lead to addiction.
Feds claimed that John Isaac Hudelson manufactured, applied and distributed steroids to his friends. They confirmed that while steroids didn’t lead to addiction, muscularity could be addictive. Furthermore, they added that steroids could cause serious side reactions. All statements of feds were based upon those written in Wikipedia.
Ultimately, the government sent Isaac John Hudelson to 37-month imprisonment.

How can athletes avoid detection while using EPO and steroids?

Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle have published a book related to administration of EPO and anabolic steroids. Guidelines provided in the book can serve as a proof that Lance Armstrong applied banned products. 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 tips linked with administration of EPO and steroids in cycling and methods to avoid detection. It manifests that drug testing is not effective in this sport.
Tyler Hamilton confirms that sportspeople can take steroids without being caught. The author affirms that the WADA doesn’t have any possibility to win. Hamilton indicates weakness of the WADA in testing sportspersons for banned preparations.
According to Tyler Hamilton, it is easy to avoid detection while taking EPO. It is necessary to apply the procedure “microdosing”. What does it actually mean? Sportspersons should not inject 2,000 Units of EPO under the skin each 3rd or 4th day. They should inject 400-500 Units of EPO every 3-4 nights intravenously. This method is called “microdosing”. Utilizing this way of administration, athletes can avoid detection without any great effort.
Since microdosing is a proper way to avoid detection while administering 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 applying anabolic steroids. He presents tips related to this issue in details in the book.  The author describes how it is possible to hit tests of anti-doping system.
In fact, it is unlikely that recommendations provided in Tyler’s book will alter essence of cycling. While introduction of the biological passport by anti-doping agencies can’t stop doping, elaboration of microdosing into intake of EPO is not the new beginning of doping in cycling. Tips of Hamilton may change just the nature of doping in this sport. Application of doping products is a part of cycling. Let see the truth. Like clean sport doesn’t exist at the high level.

Different purposes while using 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 taken to treat inflammations, allergic reactions, diseases of respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal and other systems.
Estrogens and progestogens represent female sex hormones. These substances promote developing female secondary characteristics. Birth control remedies contain these substances.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids represent medicines that are also widely utilized in medicine. They have capacity to treat several types of breast cancer, cancer of testicles, anemia, etc. These medicines are often prescribed to receive better and faster recovery after some operations. Burn victims, patients with HIV/AIDS utilize anabolic-androgenic steroids for prevention of muscle loss. Some steroids are also directed for treatment of osteoporosis. These preparations are also recommended for treatment of infertility.
Moreover, anabolic-androgenic steroids are used for athletic needs. These drugs are capable to stimulate muscle growth and increase strength. That’s why many athletes and bodybuilders apply them for performance-enhancing effects. Several anabolic-androgenic steroids can also promote burning fat, making muscles distinctive.
Application of anabolic-androgenic steroids for non-therapeutic purposes is forbidden under laws of several countries. Those who manufacture, distribute, purchase and take these medicines illegally may be sentenced to imprisonment and/or fines. These medications belong to illicit substances in certain countries because they may lead to various unwanted consequences. While certain undesirable consequences are insignificant and disappear after discontinuation of application, others are dangerous and even irreversible. Those that desire to receive positive effects, using steroids for medical purposes, should administer these products under instructions of doctors.

Anna Watson decided to refuse $75000 contract

When it is said about cheerleaders, we imagine active and slim females. But we should realize that sometimes the reality differs from our imagination. Anna Watson is an example in this case. She has great muscles. But she is very nice.
Elite Model Management offered her a $75000 contract. But she didn’t agree to get it. Actually, it is surprisingly because many ladies want to get such contracts. But she didn’t desire to obtain it because she had to use steroids for this purpose.
When Anna Watson began to study at Hawaii Pacific University, she started weight lifting. She trained intensively and consumed circa 3000 calorie per day. Ultimately she was capable to lift 230 pounds. But her weight was insufficient to get a modeling fitness contract. Although she ate much protein, she could not gain needed pounds.
A modeling agent said that Anavar could help her to increase weight. Anna Watson was required to gain 50 pounds in order to obtain the contract. Thus, she began to administer Anavar in order to enhance body weight. She was eating “forever”, even if she wasn’t’ hungry. Despites of her efforts, consumption of much food and application of Anavar, she could not get 50 pounds. The cheerleader gained just 10 pounds.
Anna Watson practices Christianity. She belongs to a local church. Finally, she made a decision to ask a weight lifting champion for recommendations. Hugh Kirby who is also a member of the church has recommended her to be far from administration of steroids. He affirmed that steroids could lead to different unwanted effects. This man also reminded that steroids could cause infertility. So, Hugh Kirby confirmed that it would be better to refuse the contract instead of experiencing health troubles, especially infertility.
So, the cheerleader Anna Watson didn’t agree to get the contract. But she decided not to leave her workouts. The cheerleader wants to become a personal trainer.
In fact, the cheerleader made a correct decision. It is reasonable to keep female characteristics without a modeling contract instead of obtaining the contract and experiencing effects of virilization owing to application of steroids.

Steroids may affect health of users

However it is illegal to distribute anabolic steroids in some countries, certain steroid dealers are not sanctioned appropriately. For example, recently two persons that distributed steroids illegally didn’t go to jail. They were sentenced only to work certain hours. However these individuals advertised and sold steroids via internet, they avoided imprisonment successfully. These persons distributed drugs which could affect health of consumers. That’s why they had to be sanctioned more harshly.
A lot of consumers of steroids don’t know anything about risks connected with them. They don’t know that application of steroids may lead to several health troubles. It is important to take into account that some steroids are aromatizable. It means that they may turn into estrogen, increasing levels of this hormone. As a result, male users of such steroids may suffer from abnormal development of breast tissues, fat accumulation, water retention, etc. Of course, gynecomastia is very unpleasant effect for males. Sometimes it can’t be cured with products. So, it may require an operation.
Some steroids are dangerous for women. They may cause effects of virilization in them. Thus, certain females that take androgenic steroids have deep voice, hirsutism, hair loss, menstrual abnormalities, infertility, etc.
Numerous steroids may influence on liver negatively. They may lead to liver disorders. If anyone has had liver problems before intake of steroids, these drugs may lead to more serious complications.
Nevertheless, no one can doubt about benefits which can be obtained owing to intake of steroids. These preparations promote developing new muscle tissues. They also increase existing muscles. Moreover, these medicines help to gain energy. Some steroids promote fat burning, making muscle more distinctive.
However possible benefits of steroids are great, it is necessary to consider possible undesirable consequences. It is stated that steroids may lead to depression and uncontrolled aggressiveness. Thus, several consumers of these medications commit various crimes. While some users may commit suicides, others violate, murder other individuals.
Steroids may lead also to other negative consequences that are not enumerated in the article. People should be aware of what they use. Those that distribute these preparations illegally should be sentenced properly.

Widespread steroid use in football

Numerous articles note about application of steroids in baseball. Sportswriters and journalists describe steroid scandals which occur in this sport. It is often discussed about steroid era in baseball. MLB players are required to submit to many drug tests. It seems that every individual interested in sports demonizes baseball players for application of performance-enhancing drugs. Do only baseball players use steroids and other related remedies? What do you suggest about football players? Do they dope? Why do we blame only baseball players for application of prohibited products?
Administration of doping products is widespread among football players. Since 1960s intake of performance-enhancing drugs plays an essential role in this sport. It is difficult to imagine football without administration of steroids and other related medicines.
Strength and size are substantial aspects in football. Certain individuals believe that football players have great strength just because of hard workouts and appropriate diets. But it is a wrong point of view. A lot of football players apply prohibited substances in order to acquire strength and enhance muscle size.
As you notice, intake of banned medications is widespread in football. Nevertheless, baseball players are more harshly blamed for usage of steroids and other related products. Such baseball players, as Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds were exposed to public shame because of doping. But such football players, as Lyle Alzado, Shawne Merriman, Chris Cooper and Thomas Romanowski, also administered forbidden preparations. Nonetheless, they were not so widely demonized, as dopers in baseball.
Furthermore, it is important to take into account that intake of steroids is more dangerous in football.
It is confirmed that football is unlikely to be free from doping.

Teens should be educated about side effects of steroids

Teenagers’ addiction to anabolic steroids becomes a great problem nowadays. Why do adolescents apply these preparations? They do it in order to enhance their muscles, lower fat deposits and make muscles defined. They want to be more attractive. In fact, adolescents apply these products because they desire to look like models, sports stars and heroes. Since adolescents want to be celebrated so, as well-known athletes are, they try to improve their physique and performance with anabolic steroids.
But teens don’t take in consideration several important factors in this case. Firstly, professional athletes and bodybuilders ask specialists for directions. Thus, doctors explain how they should use steroids. That’s why application of anabolic steroids by famous sportspersons is relatively safe. As for teens, they don’t know what they take; they don’t know how steroids should be used. Secondly, the process of development is not over in adolescents. That’s why steroids may be dangerous for them. Anabolic steroids may destroy functions of reproductive, cardiovascular and other systems in adolescents.
Unfortunately, a lot of adolescents use anabolic steroids. Some surveys of the Michigan University display that the number of steroid users in high schools continues to enhance.
Moreover, it is not a problem to buy these preparations. High schools students obtain steroids without substantial efforts.
As a result, several teenagers become addicted to steroids. While several teens try to cease using these preparations, they can’t do it. In fact, it is quite difficult to escape from this addiction. Addicted consumers of steroids can’t stop administering these drugs without help of high-qualified specialists. They must stay in special centers of rehabilitation where well-trained experts help them to get rid of the addiction.
It is important to teach teens about dangers related to anabolic steroids. Teenagers must know not just about positive effects of these drugs. They should be taught also about undesirable consequences of these preparations. If schoolchildren and high school students are not informed about disadvantages of steroids, they will use these preparations. Ultimately, their systems will be destructed. If the society doesn’t care about teens, they will have many health troubles.

Anti-doping agencies introduce new tools to catch those that dope

While sportspeople that dope find new methods to remain undetectable, anti-doping agencies create new tools in order to catch those who take forbidden substances. One of new tools elaborated into anti-doping system is biological passport. It helps to determine whether a sportsperson has doped. The biological passport measures certain biomarkers which may indicate whether an individual has taken certain substances. So, it can measure hemoglobin levels. Unexplained decreased or high hemoglobin levels may indicate doping. So, the biological passport sets physical changes that play significant role in detection.
It is obvious that anti-doping policy becomes more progressive. It creates new ways to catch dopers and make sports free from doping.
If you compare drug tests which have been applied earlier with those which are utilized today, you can notice that the difference is great. Anti-doping efforts are significant. Drug testing becomes more advanced.
It was also created a test for detection of CERA. This drug was initially developed in order to cure anemia connected with kidney dysfunctions. 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 officials determined that this sportsman had taken CERA. As a result, Rashid Ramzi was stripped of his awards.
Earlier it was hard and even quite impossible to catch those that applied HGH. Lately a blood test for this medication was also developed.
Another new drug test, known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, was also recently created. This test helps to determine whether testosterone has been administered from outsides or it has been secreted in the body naturally.
Thus, anti-doping system is more sophisticated today. Anti-doping officials claim that they will be capable to make sports free from usage of doping products.

It is impossible to keep sports interesting without doping

The American cyclist Lance Armstrong never failed a drug test. But he lost his seven Tour de France titles because the USADA accused him of doping.
You may notice that application of banned products is claimed to be an ultimate sin of competitive athletes. They are banned, if they are found guilty or only suspected of doping.
For example, the British runner Dwain Chambers was banned because he tested positive for tetrahydrogestrinone. This athlete noted that he was not the only Olympic  runner who applied steroids. According to his affirmations, numerous sprinters of the US racing team applied banned preparations.
Some persons are probably bothered by reading articles about war on administration of banned preparations in sports. It seems that the fight never ends. Although anti-doping agencies put great efforts in order to eradicate doping from competitive sports, many sportspersons continue applying forbidden preparations. It is impossible to confront doping. It seems that it is better to legalize application of performance-enhancing drugs. Let sportspersons take whatever they desire!
Sportspeople break more excellent records from one year to another. It may require to measure thousandths of a second in order to determine who the winner is. It seems that it will be impossible to notice with a naked eye the fastest sprinters. That’s why some specialists fear that it will be very difficult to keep sports interesting.
Several specialists realize that anti-doping systems fail. Athletes who have never tested positive for any prohibited drug 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 athlete that won Tour de France was involved in a doping case.
The society has great expectations. Sportspersons should push their bodies till the limits in order to win. They have to apply steroids and/or other doping products in order to keep their reputations and not disappoint fans. The society should be blamed for athletes’ doping. Not only sportspersons should be blamed for application of banned drugs. The society makes such culture where athletes can’t be at the top without application of certain drugs. That’s why it is necessary to stop demonizing athletes. It is better to allow doping in sports. Each sport should compose own list of forbidden medications. Just medicines which are harmful to certain sport itself must be prohibited. Let take the sport of boxing as an example. This sport should ban just those medications that take away fear because removing of fear in this sport is against its nature.

Abbott Laboratories increased profits because of Barry Bonds’ doping

It seems that steroid scandals must influence negatively on manufacture of these products. But manufacturers of these drugs find methods to take advantages of various steroid scandals. So, pharmaceutical companies use them in order to promote selling own medications.
Let take as an example the governmental case against the former MLB player Barry Bonds. Although one may believe that this steroid scandal must suppress purchase of several drugs, the reality has demonstrated opposite things. The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories could take advantage of the case. The company found a lot of opportunities to promote selling transdermal testosterone because of the accusations linked with Barry Bonds’ doping.
It was said that Barry Bonds used the testosterone gel “AndroGel”. Of course, many reporters published articles about this case. The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories used this public fight and began to advertise this product. Many Barry Bonds’ fans started obtaining and utilizing 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. A lot of people administer them for testosterone replacement therapy. The number of steroid prescriptions has increased by 90 % during last 5 years. So, the number of those that use steroids is growing.
Abbott Laboratories manufactures and sells the transdermal testosterone product “AndroGel”. Since other companies noticed that testosterone gel was in high demand, they also began to produce it. Thus, such medications, as  AndroDream and Axiron, appeared. While AndroDream is produced by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Axiron is manufactured by Eli Lilly.
Pharmaceutical companies promote selling their products. They confirm that steroids have positive influence on males’ health. Of course, any company understands that since a lot of men have testosterone deficiency and since these medications are efficient for increase of muscle mass and strength, the number of potential clients is great.

Usage of inhaled steroids in case of mild-to-moderate asthma

Inhaled steroids are preparations which are taken in case of asthma by children and grown-ups. Persons that suffer from mild, moderate and severe asthma administer these medicines each day. These preparations prevent inflammation of the airways. Physicians supervise persons with this disease, regulating dosage schedule every 6 weeks.
Unfortunately, inhaled corticosteroids, like other medications, may lead to undesirable consequences. Regular intake of these products is connected with several risks. Is there any method for individuals with asthma to avoid these problems?
A recent study has displayed that prescribers should not recommend applying these medications daily to persons with mild-to-moderate asthma. This research turned out to be very valuable. It is likely to change indications connected with treatment of asthma.
The study was conducted by scientists of the Texas Medical Brach in Galveston. The specialist William Calhoun and his colleagues enrolled 340 persons with asthma in the study. Certain persons received inhaled steroids each day; others took these medicines, 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 manifested that there was not any essential difference between these two groups.
According to the scientists, if inhaled corticosteroids are used, when symptoms occur, exacerbation can be prevented. Furthermore, these medications have long action. It means that positive effects are felt even some days after administration. The scientists suggest that these medications may be used by individuals with mild-to-moderate asthma only when symptoms appear.
Why is this study valuable? According to certain sources, 25 million Americans suffer from asthma. Undoubtedly, they must be treated. This piece of news must be valuable for them. Moreover, if inhaled corticosteroids are taken prolonged time, they may cause grave unwanted consequences, such as hormonal imbalance, cataract, etc. Thus, if persons that experience mild-to-moderate asthma don’t take these drugs every day, they are more unlikely to get these negative consequences.
Undoubtedly, it is early to modify recommendations linked with treatment of asthma. But this study may serve as a basis for further studies that may lead to some changes.