Leslie Henderson: teenagers should be taught about permanent negative effects of steroids

Leslie Henderson worries about adolescents. She is troubled because many teenagers administer anabolic steroids that may be dangerous for them. These preparations may make adolescents aggressive. Furthermore, steroids may affect different systems of consumers. According to Leslie Henderson, the most dangerous aspect connected with application of these products by teenagers is following: these products influence on the brain negatively. They affect not only functions of the brain; they also alter the way it acts.
Anabolic steroids have been elaborated in order to treat certain illnesses. These medicines have ability to induce development of secondary male characteristics in males with delayed puberty. They have ability to prevent muscle loss in individuals with HIV/AIDS and other health problems. But these preparations are also frequently abused. They are applied for increase of muscle mass and energy. When doctors recommend administering steroids to cure certain diseases, they indicate relatively reduced quantities that don’t cause dangerous adverse reactions. When these products are used for performance-enhancing effects, measures are high. But it is necessary to know that high doses may lead to dangerous negative reactions.
Non-clinical administration of steroids is very dangerous for teenagers. Their systems have not been yet developed. That’s why these products may cause irreversible changes in them. Steroids may affect their physical as well mental health of adolescents. As a result, negative effects of steroids are seen in them not only during adolescence but also when they grow up. If adult individuals abuse steroids, they usually don’t suffer from such long-term grave side effects, as teenagers experience. That’s why Leslie Henderson and other specialists 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 products for improvement of appearance and performance.

New methods to prevent and cure obesity

A new research has demonstrated that glucocorticosteroids induce enhancing fat levels. These substances have direct influence on androgen receptors which are responsible for reduction of body fat levels.
This research may be useful in our era, when numerous persons suffer from obesity. According to affirmations of certain scientists, it is necessary to decrease amount of glucocorticosteroids in order to avoid or cure obesity.
When specialists conducted this research, they had the following goal: they wanted to understand ways, causes and stages of development of fat deposits. Basing on results of the study, the scientists have confirmed that androgen receptors should be activated in order to reduce fat storage. So, obesity could be treated even at the early stages of development.
The androgen testosterone binds itself to androgen receptors. Thus, androgen receptors become capable to control development of muscle mass, enhance lean muscles, etc.
According to the study, glucocorticosteroids inhibit activity of androgen receptors. So, they become inefficient to control growth of muscle mass and decrease of fat storage. That’s why especially abdominal parts become fatty.
The researchers confirm that this study is capable to promote developing new ways to cure and prevent obesity. The new methods will be connected with glucocorticosteroids and androgen receptors.

Purchase of anabolic steroids at online pharmacies is illegal in UK

British people are not allowed to order steroids online. Importation of steroids into the UK is considered to be illicit under a new amendment to the steroid law. Those that live in the UK and import steroids into the country are punished. But British people may freely get, possess and administer steroids.
According to the “personal custody”, those that arrived to London for the 2012 Olympics were allowed to import steroids for personal use. It was not claimed to be illegal under British laws. Nonetheless, those who live inside the UK don’t have any right to purchase steroids via internet and import them from other countries to the UK.
Earlier British people were allowed to acquire 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 is the amendment able to do it?
Many underground labs manufacture anabolic steroids inside the UK. They prosper because of the amendment. But it is necessary to consider that a lot of underground labs produce steroids of low quality. So, British people have to acquire 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 increase the number of steroid users.
In fact, the amendment is likely to have negative influence on health of steroid users. Steroid-using athletes and bodybuilders may get serious negative consequences because they switch from quality steroids manufactured by trustworthy pharmaceutical companies to worse medications produced by underground labs located in the UK.

Federal prosecutors utilize information about anabolic steroids presented in Wikipedia

Federal prosecutors don’t have sufficient knowledge about anabolic steroids, although they pursue those that manufacture, use and/or distribute these products. They don’t read scientific literature about these preparations. The government uses information which is written in Wikipedia. However feds speak about unwanted results of steroids, they don’t know about these conditions sufficiently. Citing statements about steroids presented in Wikipedia, they punish users/manufacturers/distributors of these products, claiming that these medicines represent evil.
Several important questions appear here: Is it fair to base upon affirmations written in Wikipedia in such situations? Are these affirmations 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, claims that it is not reasonable to base entirely upon affirmations presented in Wikipedia. He adds that Wikipedia serves a good guide for footnotes. But information provided in Wikipedia may be not true entirely.
For example, when John Isaac Hudelson was sentenced to imprisonment, feds based their conclusions connected with illicit operations of this person upon statements cited from Wikipedia. Feds confirmed that Hudelson would be sentenced 47-54 months in jail because he used and distributed steroids. Stephen Greubel, the defense attorney for Hudelson, affirmed that 47-54 months in jail were too much for his client. He confirmed that Hudelson sold steroids, preparations that differed from such drugs, as amphetamine, methamphetamine, codeine, morphine, etc. The defense attorney for Hudelson confirmed that steroids didn’t cause addiction.
Feds affirmed that John Isaac Hudelson manufactured, used and distributed steroids to his friends. They affirmed that while steroids didn’t cause addiction, desire to be muscular could be addictive. Furthermore, they added that steroids could lead to severe side consequences. All affirmations of feds were based upon those provided in Wikipedia.
Finally, the government sent Isaac John Hudelson to 37-month imprisonment.

Tyler Hamilton’s tips on usage of EPO and steroids

Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle have published a book about intake of EPO and anabolic steroids. Tips described in the book can serve as a proof that the prominent cyclist Lance Armstrong administered banned preparations. The book has the following title: “The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at all Costs”. The book contains guidelines connected with administration of EPO and steroids in cycling and ways to avoid detection. It shows that drug testing is not efficacious in this sport.
Tyler Hamilton affirms that athletes can apply steroids without being caught. The author claims that the WADA doesn’t have any chance to win. Tyler Hamilton indicates weakness of the WADA in testing athletes for banned preparations.
According to Hamilton, it is easy to avoid detection while using EPO. It is needed to utilize the procedure “microdosing”. What does it really mean? Athletes should not introduce 2,000 Units of EPO under the skin each 3-4 days. They should introduce 400-500 Units of EPO every 3-4 nights intravenously. This method is called “microdosing”. Applying this way of administration, sportpersons can avoid detection without any essential effort.
Since microdosing is an appropriate way to avoid detection while taking EPO, this method must be appropriate in case of steroid use as well. Thus, Tyler Hamilton suggests that cyclists and other athletes can avoid detection while administering anabolic steroids. He presents recommendations related to this issue in details in the book.  Hamilton explains how it is possible to hit drug testing of anti-doping agencies.
In fact, it is unlikely that guidelines presented in Tyler’s book will change nature of cycling. While introduction of the biological passport into anti-doping system can’t stop doping, introduction of microdosing into usage of EPO is not the new beginning of doping in cycling. Guidelines of Hamilton may change only the essence of doping in this sport. Usage of performance-enhancing drugs is a part of cycling. Let see the truth. Like there is no Santa Claus, there is no clean sport at the high level.

Steroids for clinical and athletic purposes

There are three classes of steroids: 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 administered for treatment of inflammations, allergic reactions, illnesses of respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal and other systems.
Estrogens and progestogens represent female sex hormones. These substances promote developing female secondary features. Birth control tablets contain these substances.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids represent products which are also widely used in medicine. They can cure several types of breast cancer, cancer of testicles, anemia, etc. These products are often recommended to get better and faster recovery after some surgeries. Burn victims, patients with HIV/AIDS administer anabolic-androgenic steroids for prevention of muscle loss. Certain steroids are also directed for treatment of osteoporosis. These medicines are also taken for treatment of infertility.
Moreover, anabolic-androgenic steroids are used for athletic needs. These medications have ability to stimulate muscle growth and enhance endurance. That’s why numerous athletes and bodybuilders take them for performance-enhancing effects. Several anabolic-androgenic steroids can also promote burning fat, making muscles distinctive.
Intake of anabolic-androgenic steroids for non-medical needs is illegal under laws of some countries. Those that manufacture, distribute, buy and administer these drugs illegally may be sentenced to jail and/or fines. These products belong to illicit preparations in several countries because they may cause various negative reactions. While certain adverse consequences are mild and disappear after discontinuation of application, others are sever and even irreversible. Those that want to receive benefits, applying steroids for clinical purposes, should administer these preparations under instructions of health care providers.

Anna Watson refused to get modeling contract because of steroid use

When it is mentioned about cheerleaders, we imagine brisk and thin females. But we should comprehend that sometimes the reality differs from our imagination. Anna Watson is an example in this situation. She has great muscles. But she is very beautiful.
A fitness modeling agency offered her a $75000 contract. But she refused to get it. In fact, it is surprisingly because numerous ladies want to get such contracts. But she didn’t agree to obtain it because she had to take steroids for this need.
When Anna Watson began to study at Hawaii Pacific University, she started weight lifting. The lady trained hardly and consumed about 3000 calorie per day. Ultimately she was able to lift 230 pounds. But her weight was not enough to get a modeling fitness contract. However she ate much protein, she could not gain needed pounds.
A modeling agent confirmed that the steroid Anavar could help her to gain weight. Anna Watson needed to get 50 pounds in order to obtain the contract. So, she began to apply the steroid Anavar in order to enhance body weight. The cheerleader was eating “forever”, even if she wasn’t’ hungry. Despites of her efforts, consumption of much food and usage of the steroid Anavar, she was not able to get 50 pounds. The cheerleader got just 10 pounds.
The cheerleader Anna Watson practices Christianity. She is a member of a church. Ultimately, she decided 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 usage of steroids. He mentioned that these medicines could cause various adverse reactions. This person also noted that steroids could lead to infertility. Thus, Hugh Kirby confirmed that it would be better to refuse the contract instead of experiencing health troubles, especially infertility.
Thus, the cheerleader Anna Watson didn’t agree to get the contract. But she decided to continue her trainings. Anna Watson wants to become a personal trainer.
Actually, Anna Watson made a proper decision. It is reasonable to keep female characteristics without a modeling contract instead of obtaining the contract and suffering from effects of virilization owing to intake of steroids.

Steroids are dangerous drugs

However it is illegal to sell anabolic steroids in certain countries, some steroid dealers are not punished properly. For example, recently two persons that distributed steroids illegally were not sentenced to imprisonment. They were sentenced only to work certain hours. Although these individuals advertised and sold steroids online, they avoided prison successfully. These persons sold drugs which could destroy health of consumers. That’s why they had to be sanctioned more harshly.
Many consumers of steroids know nothing about dangers linked with them. They don’t know that administration of steroids may lead to several health troubles. It is necessary to consider that certain steroids are aromatizable. It means that they may convert into estrogen, enhancing levels of this hormone. As a result, male users of such steroids may experience gynecomastia, abnormal fat distribution, water retention, etc. Of course, gynecomastia is very unpleasant effect for men. Sometimes it can’t be cured with products. So, it may require a surgery.
Some steroids are dangerous for females. They may lead to masculinizing effects in them. Thus, several females that administer androgenic steroids have deep voice, excessive hair growth on the body, hair loss, menstrual abnormalities, infertility, etc.
Numerous steroids may influence on liver negatively. They may lead to liver disorders. If anyone has had liver diseases before application of steroids, these preparations may lead to more serious complications.
Nevertheless, no one can doubt about benefits that can be obtained owing to application of steroids. These preparations promote developing new muscle tissues. They also increase existing muscles. Furthermore, these medicines help to gain endurance. Several steroids promote fat burning, making muscle more distinctive.
Although possible positive effects of steroids are amazing, it is necessary to consider potential side reactions. It is affirmed that steroids may cause depression and uncontrolled aggressiveness. So, several users of these preparations commit different crimes. While several users may commit suicides, others violate, murder other persons.
Steroids may cause also other negative results that are not mentioned in the article. People should be aware of what they take. Those who sell these preparations illegally should be sentenced appropriately.

Many football players dope

Many articles report about administration of steroids in baseball. Sportswriters and journalists describe steroid scandals that take place in this sport. It is frequently debated about steroid era in baseball. MLB players are subjected to many drug tests. It seems that each individual interested in sports demonizes baseball players for application of performance-enhancing drugs. Do only baseball players use steroids and other related products? What do you suppose about football players? Don’t they dope? Why do we demonize only baseball players for usage of forbidden preparations?
Doping is widespread in football. Since 1960s intake of performance-enhancing drugs plays a substantial role in this sport. It is hard to imagine football without application of steroids and other related products.
Strength and size are substantial aspects in football. Several individuals consider that football players have great strength only because of hard trainings and appropriate diets. But it is a wrong point of view. Numerous football players apply forbidden medicines in order to add strength and induce increasing muscle size.
As you notice, application of banned preparations is widespread in football. Nonetheless, baseball players are more harshly criticized for usage of steroids and other related products. Such baseball players, as Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds were subjected to public shame on account of steroid use. But such football players, as Lyle Alzado, Shawne Merriman, Chris Cooper and Thomas Romanowski, also used prohibited preparations. Nonetheless, they were not so widely criticized, as dopers in baseball.
Furthermore, it is necessary to take into account that application of steroids is more dangerous in football.
It is supposed that football is unlikely to be free from doping.

Why do teens use anabolic steroids?

Adolescents’ addiction to anabolic steroids becomes a great problem nowadays. Why do teens take these drugs? They do it in order to increase their muscles, reduce fat deposits and make muscles defined. They desire to be more attractive. Actually, teens apply these medications because they desire to look like models, sports figures and heroes. Since adolescents desire to be celebrated so, as well-known athletes are, they put efforts to improve their physique and performance with anabolic steroids.
But teenagers don’t take in consideration some important aspects under this circumstance. Firstly, professional sportspeople and bodybuilders ask specialists for recommendations. So, doctors indicate how they should administer steroids. That’s why application of anabolic steroids by famous sportspeople is relatively safe. As for teenagers, they don’t know what they apply; they don’t know how steroids should be used. Secondly, the process of development is not over in teenagers. That’s why steroids may be dangerous for them. Anabolic steroids may destruct functions of reproductive, cardiovascular and other systems in adolescents.
Unluckily, many teens apply anabolic steroids. Certain surveys of the Michigan University manifest that the number of steroid users in high schools continues to grow.
Furthermore, it is not a problem to obtain these preparations. High schools students get steroids without significant efforts.
As a result, some teenagers become addicted to steroids. While several teens try to discontinue taking these products, they can’t do it. Actually, it is quite difficult to escape from this addiction. Addicted steroid users can’t stop applying these drugs without help of high-qualified specialists. They must stay in special centers of rehabilitation where well-trained experts help them to escape from the addiction.
It is important to educate teens about dangers connected with anabolic steroids. Adolescents should know not just about positive effects of these remedies. They should be taught also about side results of these drugs. If schoolchildren and high school students don’t know about dark sides of steroids, they will use these medications. Ultimately, their systems will be destructed. If the society doesn’t care about teens, they will experience many health problems.

Anti-doping agencies elaborate new ways to catch those that dope

While athletes that dope seek new ways to avoid detection, anti-doping agencies introduce new tools in order to catch those that use banned substances. One of new techniques introduced into anti-doping system is biological passport. It helps to define whether an athlete has used any prohibited drug. The biological passport measures several biomarkers which may indicate whether an individual has used certain medications. Thus, it can measure hemoglobin levels. Unexplained reduced or high hemoglobin levels may indicate doping. Thus, the biological passport defines physical changes which play essential role in detection.
It is obvious that anti-doping system becomes more advanced. It elaborates new techniques to catch dopers and clean sports.
If you compare drug tests that have been utilized earlier with those that are utilized nowadays, you may see that the difference is great. Anti-doping efforts are great. Drug testing becomes more advanced.
It was also elaborated a test for detection of CERA. This preparation was originally developed in order to treat anemia associated 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 set that this sportsman had used CERA. As a result, he forfeited his awards.
Earlier it was difficult and even quite impossible to catch those who administered HGH. Recently a blood test for this medication was also created.
Another new drug test, known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, was also recently developed. This test helps to define whether testosterone has been used from outsides or it has been produced in the body naturally.
Thus, anti-doping system is more sophisticated today. Anti-doping agencies suggest that they will be capable to clean sports from administration of performance-enhancing drugs.

Doping makes sports more interesting

The American cyclist Lance Armstrong never tested positive for any banned substance. But the athlete forfeited his seven Tour de France titles because the USADA accused him of doping.
You can notice that intake of forbidden medications is claimed to be a final sin of professional sportspersons. They are banned, if they are found guilty or only accused of doping.
For example, Dwain Chambers, a British sprinter, was suspended because he tested positive for tetrahydrogestrinone. This sportsperson claimed that he was not the only Olympic  sprinter who applied steroids. According to his affirmations, numerous runners of the US racing team used forbidden preparations.
Certain individuals are probably bothered by reading articles about fight against administration of forbidden products in sports. It seems that the fight never ends. Although anti-doping agencies put unbelievable efforts in order to eradicate doping from competitive sports, many sportspersons continue taking banned drugs. It is impossible to confront doping. It seems that it is better to legalize doping. Let sportspersons administer whatever they desire!
Athletes break greater records from one year to another. It may require to measure thousandths of a second in order to define who the winner is. It seems that it will be impossible to define with a naked eye the fastest runners. That’s why several specialists fear that it will be very difficult to keep sports interesting.
Certain experts recognize that anti-doping policies fail. Sportspersons that have never tested positive for any forbidden preparation are banned. Drug tests are not able to promote catching those that use steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs.
Doping reigns in sports. Almost each athlete that won Tour de France was involved in a doping case.
Fans have great expectations. Sportspersons should push their bodies till the limits in order to win. They have to use steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs in order to keep their reputations and not disappoint fans. The society should be demonized for athletes’ doping. Not only athletes should be blamed for intake of forbidden preparations. The society creates such culture where athletes can’t be at the top without application of certain medications. That’s why it is necessary to discontinue demonizing athletes. It is better to permit doping in sports. Each sport should compose own list of prohibited preparations. Just medications that are harmful to certain sport itself must be banned. Let take the sport of boxing as an example. This sport should ban just those medicines that take away fear because removing of fear in this sport is against its spirit.

Abbott Laboratories found way to take advantage of steroid scandal linked with Barry Bonds

It seems that steroid scandals must influence negatively on manufacture of these drugs. But manufacturers of these drugs find methods to take advantages of different steroid scandals. Thus, pharmaceutical companies utilize them in order to advertise own products.
Let take as an example the doping case related to Barry Bonds. Although one may suppose that this steroid scandal must suppress purchase of several medications, the reality has demonstrated opposite things. The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories could take advantage of the case. The company found many possibilities to promote selling transdermal testosterone because of the accusations linked with Barry Bonds’ doping.
It was stated that the former MLB player Barry Bonds used the testosterone gel “AndroGel”. Of course, numerous 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 getting and using this gel. This situation influenced on profits of Abbot Laboratories essentially. According to certain sources, the profits of Abbott Laboratories turned out to be great.
Testosterone products are widely prescribed and administered. Numerous persons administer them for testosterone replacement therapy. The number of steroid prescriptions has increased by 90 % during last five years. So, the number of those that administer steroids is growing.
Abbott Laboratories produces and sells the transdermal testosterone product “AndroGel”. Since other companies saw that testosterone gel was in high demand, they also started to produce it. So, such medicines, as  AndroDream and Axiron, appeared. While AndroDream is sold by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Axiron is sold by Eli Lilly.
Pharmaceutical companies promote selling their medicines. They affirm that steroids improve males’ health. It goes without any saying that any company realizes that since many males have insufficient production of testosterone and since these preparations are applied for gaining of muscle mass and endurance, the number of potential customers is great.

Intake of inhaled corticosteroids in case of asthma

Inhaled corticosteroids are preparations which are used in case of asthma by kids and adults. Persons that experience mild, moderate and severe asthma apply these medicines every day. Inhaled steroids prevent inflammation of the airways. Physicians supervise patients with this disease, adjusting dosage schedule each 6 weeks.
Unfortunately, inhaled steroids, like other preparations, may cause adverse consequences. Regular administration of these medicines is associated with some risks. Is there any way for individuals with asthma to avoid these problems?
A recent study has manifested that health care providers should not recommend administering these drugs daily to individuals with mild-to-moderate asthma. This research turned out to be very valuable. It is likely to alter guidelines linked with treatment of asthma.
The research was conducted by specialists of the Texas Medical Brach in Galveston. The doctor William Calhoun and his colleagues enrolled 340 individuals with asthma in the research. Several persons were given inhaled steroids daily; others administered these medications, when symptoms of asthma attacks appeared. Bronchial reactivity and functions of lungs were measured by the scientists during nine months. The results of the study demonstrated that there was not any essential difference between these two groups.
According to the specialists, if inhaled corticosteroids are taken, when symptoms occur, exacerbation can be prevented. Furthermore, these medications have long action. It means that benefits are felt even certain days after usage. The specialists suggest that these preparations may be used by persons with mild-to-moderate asthma only when symptoms appear.
Why is this research valuable? According to certain sources, 25 million Americans suffer from asthma. Undoubtedly, they should be treated. This piece of news must be valuable for them. Moreover, if inhaled corticosteroids are used prolonged period of time, they may cause serious undesirable results, such as hormonal imbalance, cataract, etc. Thus, if persons that suffer from mild-to-moderate asthma don’t use these preparations every day, they are more unlikely to get these side consequences.
Of course, it is early to modify recommendations related to treatment of asthma. But this study may serve as a basis for further studies which may lead to certain changes.