Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds light and variable..

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds light and variable.

The use of anabolic steroids among professional athletes has received considerable media attention, but perhaps more concerning are reports of use among high school youth and young adults.

Not only are steroids illegal, they are extremely dangerous. Steroid use increases risk for heart disease, liver disease, and early death. It can also lead to a variety of negative psychological outcomes, including hostility, violence, depression, mood swings, apathy and addiction.

Other undesirable body changes associated with steroid use include hair loss, acne, breast enlargement in males, and breast reduction in females. It can also lead to adverse sexual/reproductive effects in both males (testicular atrophy, impotence, and sterility) and females (uterine atrophy, menstrual irregularities, and sterility).

A number of other dietary supplements are on the market (either legally or illegally) to capitalize on interest in muscular development and sports performance. Contrary to popular belief, they are typically ineffective or dangerous (or both).

Details on several common supplements are included here:

Prohormone nutritional supplements are billed as testosterone “prohormones” because they are thought to lead to the production of testosterone and testosterone analogs. Studies have concluded that these compounds do not produce anabolic or ergogenic effects and many were found to increase the risk of negative health consequences.

Androstenedione (andro) is a precursor of naturally occurring testosterone and estrogen. Early studies showed that andro use did not lead to increases in testosterone levels, but more recent evidence suggests that andro would likely have anabolic effects at the high doses most likely used by athletes.

Andro has been found to be associated with most of the same health risks as conventional steroids and has been banned by the FDA.

Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) is a chemically engineered steroid that, until recently, has been undetectable by standard drug tests. It is a purely synthetic steroid, which exhibits the same properties (and risks) of other anabolic steroids.

Human growth hormone (HGH) is produced by the pituitary gland but is also made synthetically. Athletes often use growth hormone in combination with anabolic steroids so they can increase bone strength along with muscle mass.

Athletes assume this will protect them from some of the bone injuries that occur among steroid users. However, these athletes are compounding their health risks, as the use of HGH only adds to the health risks of steroid use.

Creatine is a nutrient involved in the production of energy during short-term, high-intensity exercise, such as resistance exercise. The body produces creatine naturally from foods containing protein, but some athletes take creatine supplements (usually a powder dissolved into a liquid) to increase the amounts available in the muscle.

The concept behind supplementation is that additional creatine intake enhances energy production and therefore increases the body’s ability to maintain force and delay fatigue.

Some studies have shown improvements in athletic performance with creatine, but reviews indicate that the supplement may be effective only for athletes who are already well-trained.

Studies have been more consistent with regard to the performance-enhancing effects of creatine on muscle strength. It is important to note here that the benefits are due to the ability to work the muscles harder during an exercise session, not to the supplement itself. Increases in body weight may result, but this is likely due to water retention.

At present, creatine use has not been linked to any major health problems, although the long-term effects are unknown.

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