|
|||||||||||
 |
Raising a Family
Is Bigger Better?Not for kids! The dangers of turning to 'andro' or steroids to 'bulk up'We heard it from our parents, and it's a good bet we preach it to our own children and grandchildren: "Eat your vegetables and drink your milk so you'll grow up big and strong."Warning Signs of steroid or supplement use:
But growing big and strong can be dangerous the way some young people and many adults are going about it. To gain an edge on the competition, athletes of all ages are turning to vitamin supplements and steroids. "Social image gets kids started," says Mitchell Cooper, M.D., director of sports medicine for Muhlenberg Hospital Center and team doctor of the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs professional basketball team. "I've seen surveys that indicate 45 percent of high school males think their body size is too small." And kids are taking action at ever-younger ages. In one survey of seventh-graders, almost 5 percent of males and more than 3 percent of females admitted steroid use. Cooper also connects the use of body-building enhancers to publicity about baseball home-run king Mark McGwire's previous use of androstenedione. "Andro," as it's known, was legal for McGwire, but is banned by several major sports organizations because research has shown that it converts to testosterone in the body. Its potential benefits and drawbacks have not been proven. Here's some information that should help you to distinguish steroids from dietary supplements and to understand what taking steroids could mean: Anabolic steroidsAnabolic steroids are derivatives of the hormone testosterone, which is responsible for the growth and development of the male sex organs. In normal amounts, steroids neither strengthen muscles nor enhance performance. In the massive doses—10 times normal—sometimes taken by athletes, steroids have been proven to boost endurance, strength and muscle development. But steroids can be dangerous. Side effects range from sexual dysfunction in the short term to liver, heart and nervous system damage over time. Steroids are classified as a controlled substance by the federal government, meaning they can only be obtained with a prescription.Androstenedione ('Andro')Some claim andro is an anabolic steroid because it is a "precursor" to testosterone—a chemical that's broken down in the body into testosterone. Research shows that the side effects from increased hormones include emotional outbursts, acne, early puberty, stunted growth, hair loss and possibly breast development and decreased testes size. While the supplement is available over the counter, its use is banned by the U.S. Olympic Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Football League. "In the short term, andro might increase body mass, power, strength and aggression," Cooper says. "But without any long-term studies on the potential for harmful side effects, I would not approve its use for adolescents."CreatineCreatine is a natural compound produced by the body, which we consume in our diets in animal products like meat and fish. Unlike andro, creatine is not a precursor to testosterone and is not banned by any sports governing body. While research has shown power, strength and sprinting benefits, no long-term studies exist as proof that the over-the-counter supplement enhances performance. Adverse reactions to creatine include muscle cramping, gastrointestinal distress and stress to the kidneys.Steroids and supplements can be beneficial when used properly under a doctor's care, Cooper says. They're a valuable tool for treating hormone imbalances and helping people with nutritional problems to gain weight. But those who just want to run faster or jump higher should heed this caution from the American Academy of Pediatrics: "The medical dangers of steroid use far outweigh the advantage of gains in strength or muscle mass."
Want to Know More? For a list of the side effects of the most common steroids and supplements, call 610-402-CARE. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
ARTICLE TOOLS:
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
||||||
