Muscle Building Information

The Facts About Anabolic Steroids


Anyone involved in the world of bodybuilding, and competitive sport generally, will understand the pressures that go with striving to achieve optimal performance. Sometimes athletes feel they cannot reach their peak without artificially enhancing their powers of recovery from intensive training. One way to speed up this process is through the use of anabolic steroids. In this article we'll examine what anabolic steroids actually do. In a second article we'll focus on the dangers associated with steroid use.

The main active ingredient in steroids is testosterone which is well known as the major male hormone. Testosterone affects the body in two ways, either as an anabolic or an androgenic influence. The anabolic action helps build body tissue by increasing lean muscle mass and bone density. The androgenic actions are those that affect secondary sex characteristics in men.

In recent years research has provided some interesting information in relation to testosterone:

1. It affects muscle size through muscle fiber hypertrophy with an increase in the cross-sectional area of muscle fiber.

2. It takes a dose of at least 300 milligrams of testosterone to raise the body's level above normal.

3. It acts directly on the muscle itself.

4. It stimulates the release of growth hormone.

5. It has an anti-catabolic effect.

From these facts we can deduce that testosterone is an effective aid to muscle building and that it must be taken in significant quantities to have this effect. As far as bodybuilding is concerned the science beyond this is somewhat limited as most users base their steroid regimes on little more than trial and error or the advice of 'veterans'. Due to the illegal nature of steroid use little scientific data exists to confirm the effectiveness of the many steroid supplements in use.

It is perhaps the tendency of some bodybuilders to use a combination of powerful steroids and other drugs that presents the very real dangers that have sometimes led to tragic conquences.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.


MORE RESOURCES:
Google

Examiner.com

Can I build muscle and keep my six pack??
Examiner.com - Jun 29, 2008
Yes, you can keep your six pack and build muscle. However, it is extremely difficult and you almost need to hire a nutritionist to do it. ...


What's right in world of 'roids?
StarNewsOnline.com, NC - 8 hours ago
At issue is anabolic steroids, specifically using the drugs to build muscle mass. Bell admits he's done it but feels ambivalent about it. ...


Peak Performance looks to change local athletes
Georgetown News Democrat, OH - 11 hours ago
Whether your goal is to lose weight, build muscle, improve your game or run a marathon, the staff at Peak Performance in Georgetown is sure it has the ...


Energy foods have long history
Augusta Chronicle, GA - 20 hours ago
VERDICT: Protein can help build muscle, and carbohydrates (barley) consumed before competition can improve endurance, but the folks from this era probably ...


Doping controversy and cricket
Hindu, India - Jul 17, 2008
?You have these anabolic steroids that help build muscle mass and strength,? he says. Anabolic steroids are common among those pursuing power sports; ...


Top 10 diet mistakes that prevent women from losing weight
SheKnows.com, AZ - Jul 21, 2008
If you exercise properly, you will build muscle and lose fat at the same time. If you lose five pounds of fat and build five pounds of muscle, ...


Multi-Platinum Recording Group, The All-American Rejects Share ...
Melodika.net, Bulgaria - Jul 21, 2008
Some studies suggest teens who choose milk instead of sugary drinks tend to be leaner, and the protein helps build muscle. It's one drink we don't reject. ...


Silva puts perfect UFC mark on line
Long Beach Press-Telegram, CA - Jul 18, 2008
He is able to focus on strength and weight training to build muscle mass. "The training is different for a light heavyweight fight. ...


Hardgainer Fundamental Tips Every Natural Trainee Should Know About
PRLog.Org (press release), Romania - Jul 20, 2008
Testosterone helps to build muscle and burns fat, cortisol destroys muscle and gets you fat. You also shouldn?t train more than 2/3 times a week. Why? ...


Packed 5-Disc Training System from Bodybuilding Legend Joe Weider ...
PR-CANADA.net (press release), Montenegro - Jul 20, 2008
The rock-solid, time-tested Weider System has led millions of men and women to successfully train to build muscle and strength for bodybuilding, ...

Build-Muscle - Google News

home | site map
© 2006