Steroids: Not Worth The Risk

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Steroids were first introduced in the 1930, they have a variety of purposes in the muscle building world, cosmetics and even used therapeutically in medicine, they have aroused a great controversy and question in the media, “Do athletes need to use steroids to become the best in a sport?” The consumption of steroids is not recommended for athletes which their use and distribution is prohibited in the U.S. because they lead to negative effects on a person’s health and public image. Anabolic steroids are similar to the effects of the male testosterone, that buildup cellular tissue in muscles, they also have androgenic effects which will create unfavorable feminine or masculine characteristics, such as, growth of hair and vocal cords, but medically they can stimulate bone growth and treat cancer or AIDS. The consumption of steroids has been reported worldwide in professional sports, high school sports, in women, in men from all ages and ethnicities. In addition, the use of anabolic steroids can be dated back to WWII, it was rumored that German soldiers used them to increase their aggression and stamina, but there was a lack of evidence. They were used in experiments conducted by the Nazis on the inmates, and then later used by the allies to treat the Nazi victims. The actual muscle building steroid did not come about until the 1940s, where countries like the Soviet Union and East Germany used them to strengthen the Olympic athletes and bodybuilders. In response to the success in the athlete’s performances a physician, Dr. John Ziegler, worked to improve the androgenic effects and conducted a new drug, methandrostenolone, which was approved by the U.S. in 1958, intended users were burned victims and the elderly. The common consume... ... middle of paper ... ...teroids have been around for a long time and have transformed into a controversial issue in the sports world and the consumers. Numerous athletes’ have either confessed or have been caught taking performance-enhancing drugs either to break a record or to reach a competitive level. Though I believe it is not worth the risk for athletes since there are many health risks involved which could be irreversible or permanent, and for professionals they face suspension and a negative outlook from the media. Athletes do not have to depend on steroids to bulk up instead they can accomplish that by a high intensity workout and diet that gives them a self-satisfaction and pride. It has been proven that some steroids could help medically and some are prescribed by doctors. Their distribution and use is illegal in the U.S and they are placed in the list of controlled substances.

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