Supplements are supposed to be taken to make up for a deficiency in some aspect of a person’s diet. For example, if someone does not like milk and does not eat any foods that contain calcium, they could take a calcium supplement. But, athletes use supplements to lose body fat and gain muscle and strength. Once favored primarily by gung-ho body builders, products that purportedly add muscle and increase strength are now being snapped up by weekend athletes hoping to stay in top form, as well as older adults wanting to stay toned and healthy as they age (“Drugs” 8). These sports supplements are not being used correctly, and this causes problems down the road for users.

Why would an athlete want to risk major health problems and developing breasts? Good old-fashioned hard work is the way to get ahead in sports. When things sound too good to be true, they usually are. Advertisers initially said that supplements had no side effects whatsoever. Basically, creatine and andro sounded like wonder drugs. More strength and muscle mass, less fat, and no negative side effects! Wrong! “Two companies that market muscle-building nutritional supplements … agreed Tuesday to stop claiming they were free of side effects under a settlement announced Tuesday by Federal regulators” (“Makers” 1). The companies were originally claiming no negative side effects. But, they had no evidence to back this up. Once scientists actually started conducting tests, they realized the companies were claiming a lie. These supplements have many negative side effects. “‘Steroid hormones, whether labeled as drugs or hormones, can have side effects long after their use,’ says Dr. Ga!

Androstenedione (Andro) is a hormonally based supplement that is supposed to help weight lifters add muscle. Andro is taken orally and goes to the liver. The liver destroys most of what is ingested, but what does survive combines with various enzymes and temporarily boosts testosterone levels. This boost in testosterone allows an athlete to perform at a level above what he usually does. “Androstendione is an honest-to-goodness steroid and a precursor to testosterone” (Andro, 4). If an athlete takes andro before he goes to the gym, he will be able to lift more, and thus increase strength and size. Although it is not legally considered an anabolic steroid at this time, andro acts exactly as they do. “Many endocrinologists insist that the differences between supplements like androstenedione and traditional steroids (which are legal only for certain medical conditions) are trivial” (Andro 6). In Canada a prescription is needed to get andro, but in the US it is an over-the-counter drug (Andro1). If they essentially have the same effects, then one should not be illegal and the other legal. “The American College of Sports Medicine says anabolic steroids such as androstenedione as well as other ‘dietary supplements’ should be reevaluated and considered drugs” (Sibbald 1). Taking steroids is known to cause many health problems. Yes, they do make people better athletes, but they are illegal and athletes should not use them.

ry Wadler, an American expert in sports-related drug use” (Sibbald 2). Many doctors and experts in the field of sports medicine are very concerned with the use of sports supplements. “Our concern is that many of the newer substances have but yet been tested for their long-t

Some topics in this essay:
, Medical Association, Wadler American, Androstenedione Andro, Babe Ruth’s, ATP Theoretically, Nutrition Center, NCAA Olympics, Sports Medicine, St Louis, sports supplements, sibbald 2, taking supplement, testosterone levels, increase strength, negative effects, body fat, “drugs” 8, loony 12, mark mcgwire, expert sports-related drug, body fat gain, home run record, wadler american expert, athletes willing sacrifice,