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Anabolic Steroids: What it Really Does to Your Body.

 

Over 50 percent of male bodybuilders have reported using steroids" (15). Besides bodybuilders, other athletes also use steroids. The number of high school athletes who use steroids is also on the rise. Dr. Kuhn states "Use of anabolic steroids began with elite athletes, but today it includes even high school students who are taking anabolic steroids for cosmetic purposes. Most research estimate that 3 to 5 percent of high school age athletes and 5 to 15 percent of adult athletes use performance enhancing drugs. The level of anabolic steroid use among teenage athletes exceeds the use of any drugs other than alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana" (72). .
             For some obvious reasons Steroids are very popular among athletes and other individuals looking to get a quick physical gain. Muscles use protein, which are made from chains of amino acids, to build and repair muscles. The body can use these proteins only at a certain rate to build muscles. With the use of steroids the body can produce much more protein to help build muscles at a much faster rate. Dr. Lukas states "the steroid helps the body use amino acids for making new muscle protein. Steroids increase the production of protein, but they also block the breakdown of older muscles. These two actions work together to increase muscle size and to increase body weight. This effect to increase size and weight is the major reason that nonathletes take steroids" (37). Steroids also keep the body from breaking down muscles, which in turn makes the muscle grow faster. When the muscle does not break down, there is no recovery time needed for it; and it can be continually exercised with no negative effect. Dr Lukas states "muscle normally breaks down when it is strained, as during a strenuous exercise. However steroids block the breakdown of existing muscle. This is called the anticatabolic effect of steroids" (37). .
             Many people consider steroid use cheating because the many competitive gains it has can give one athlete using steroids an advantage over another that is not using steroids.


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