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The Harmful Effects of Steroids on Your Body
Steroids
often emerge as the hot topic in the media. Their utility is widespread
in all of the cross sections of society. Steroids became very popular in
the market mainly because of its "so called benefits" such as fast
action and improved results. Many people such as sports athletes are
attracted to steroids with the urgency to attain results through a quick
fix, without much effort. But the scientific studies have revealed that
the merits of steroids are only misconceptions and exaggerated truths.
The experts warn about the use of steroids since they have the potential
to cause many harmful and sometimes irreversible side effects.
Actually,
steroids are organic compounds synthesized in the body that often acts
as the hormone. But the commercially popular steroids are not natural
compounds; they are artificially synthesized products, which mimic the
structure of natural steroids. The steroids are in different categories
and the most notorious one is anabolic steroids. The athletes and other
sports people use anabolic steroids to attribute better performance.
They believe that steroids will help them to increase their muscles,
bone weight and give them more strength. Even though the use of steroids
is prohibited, many athletes are still attracted to steroids with an
impression that it will act as a shortcut to their success, but in fact
they are stepping into a permanent disaster.
The regular
consumption of steroids increases the level of male hormones, as the
steroids mainly resemble the male hormone, testosterone. The male
hormone may trigger the energizing reactions, but increased amounts of
androgens will be converted into estrogen and results in the
discouraging effects by binding to the estrogen receptors. The side
effects of steroids may include the dysfunction of major functional
systems of the body. Liver damage is one of the major side effects as
the steroids such as 17-alpha-alkylated compounds are not decomposed by
the digestive system. The altered left ventricle morphology is another
major side effect, which affects the functioning of the cardiovascular
system. The increased level of LDL cholesterol will add to the risk of
coronary heart disease. Increased blood pressure is another
possible side effect of steroids. The chances for physical deformities
may also occur because of steroids. Premature baldness and gingival
outgrowth are some of the structural side effects of steroids. Acne is
even reviewed as one of the obvious effects of steroids, as they are
very common in most steroid consumers.
Apart from
the structural and physiological side effects, psychological effects are
also visible in some people. The other most prominent side effect of
steroids are the gender based effects. The increased levels of
testosterone and estrogen will cause male specific and female specific
side effects in people. In males, the elevation of estrogen will induce
the condition of breast development, which is called gynecomastia. The
testicular atrophy is a temporary side effect in men, along with sexual
dysfunction and temporary infertility. In females, the specific side
effects may induce expression of male characteristics, called virilizing
effects. The increase of body hair and especially facial hair, and the
deepened voice due to the thickening of vocal cords are some of the
expressed male characters in males. The enlarged clitoris and alteration
of the menstrual cycles are some of the female specific side effects.
However the
most severe harmful effects are expressed in adolescent consumers of
steroids. The stunted growth may result in teenagers since increased
levels of estrogen may result in the epiphyseal fusion and hold back the
lengthening of bones. The reduced expression of secondary sexual
characteristics is also a result of adolescent steroid abuse.
Steroids
are often referred to as "sweet coated", but in the real scene, they are
more dangerous. As steroids enhance the balance of a compound in the
body, certainly it may harm the body as well. The possible side effects
will be far more than the ones mentioned since long term study results
of steroids are not available. The best method to avoid the harmful
effects of steroids is to abstain from steroid use, as it is not a
necessary product for physical health.
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