Steroids Essay

Johann de Jager
Professor Winn
Communications 101-17
8 March 2011 Steroids : The Under Rated Miracle Drug There are only three deaths per year due to the use of anabolic steroids, compared to tobacco at 438,000 deaths a year and alcohol reaching a total of 75 000 deaths. (cancer.com) Only one of these drugs are illegal. Would you of been able to of guessed which one? There has never been a long-term epidemiological study conducted in America on the use and abuse of steroids, and yet we all blindly follow whats been told to us.
(The Center for Disease Control).

If you think about Steroids, what are the first couple of thoughts that pop into mind? The image of ‘roid raging body builders? Do you think of star athletes careers ruined by this drug? Or do you refrain from thinking of the image the media portray and think about all the countless lives steroids save everyday? Why do we only seem to hear about the abusive side? If Steroids abusing athletes are headline news, then why doesn’t a life, saved by steroids, also appear in the news. In this paper I am going to explain why there has been a shadow lurking over steroids. I will provide a short history on the use of the drug, followed by the all the possible beneficial uses this drug. By putting the use of Steroids into perspective I will change the perception people have. The first experiments involving the isolation of gonadal steroids was conducted by Adolf Butenandt when he successfully purified a very small amount of Androstenone. He extracted the the compounds from thousands of liters of urine. It then became known that there are hormones in testes, and these hormones were more powerful than Androstenone. This discovery lead to scientists trying to isolate these powerful hormones. Switzerland , Netherlands and Nazi Germany all competed to put this discovery in to practical use. (Shore)

The first scientists who successfully completed the experiment were Dr. Ruzicka and Dr A. Wettstein. Their paper "On the Artificial Preparation of the Testicular Hormone Testosterone” won them a Noble Prize in 1939. (nobelprize.org) . The Soviet Union took research a step further and started testing the steroids on humans. It was not a coincidence that the Soviet Union athletes dominated during 1940’s. Russian weight lifters won numerous medals in the 1952 Olympics and embarrassed the USA team especially when it came down to endurance and strength. (Shore)

The competitiveness surrounding Olympic sport forced other countries to react, and as the old saying goes, “if you cant beat them, join them”. Dr. John Ziegler , the U.S team physician at the time, together with American scientists and synthetic chemists joined together to utilize the steroids in the same way the Russians have been. In true American fashion, Dr Ziegler didn’t try to emulate the Soviets but instead intended to improve the effects it had on athletes. He intended to do so by developing a steroid with less Androgenes.
After strenuous testing and vigorous experimenting they came up with Dianabol. The new and improved steroid provided its users with an advantage that meticulous testing, and sport statistics clearly show. (Steroid.com)

This sparked a revolution as scientists and chemists a like tried to emulate the success Dr. Ziegler had with his record breaking athletes. This increased the number of products on the market, and soon effectivity combined with efficiency as consumption was made easy by mass producing suppliers. (Pietaro)

Over the course of the next couple of years countries continued to upstage one another, and Germany seemed to be benefitting the most while testing and experimenting in America took a turn for the worse as authorities tried to break down this revolution by conducting studies that did not justify the true potential of this drug. Despite the results showing no real improvements in performance, the use of the drug was banned by the Olympic Council. As a result of this, steroids went through a less publicized next few years. This did not prevent athletes from testing the boundaries though. As drug busts became more abundant, it started to taint the image of the drug.(articles.latimes.com)

The most severe blow to steroids already controversial reputation was when Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson demolished the American golden boy Carl Lewis in the Seoul Olympics. Tests later detected the anabolic steroid Stanozol in his urine sample and he was subsequently stripped of his gold medal.
Congress acted shortly afterwards making steroids a control three substance. This meant that it was illegal to consume steroids without prescription fro m a doctor. The FDA, the DEA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse all opposed this decision.(collins)

Society soon conformed to the tainted image the media created regarding the use of steroids. Thats why the first thought when thinking of steroids would be that of a over sized, un natural looking man as opposed to thinking about all the possible benefits regulated use can have. This preconceived notion is dampening the potential of regulated steroid use in our community. It creates a wall that people don’t care to look past. By providing arguments against this riding tide of conformity, I encourage the reader to take a look past this wall. The grass is greener on the other side after all.

There are essentially two types of steroids. Anabolic androgenic steroids, which is the drug used by athletes and anti-inflammatory steroids commonly referred to as Corticosteroids, which is mainly used for medicinal purposes (Brown)

Anabolic androgenic steroids has various medical benefits and purposes. The most common use is to stimulate growth. This refers bone marrow stimulation which ultimately leads over all growth stimulation. Bone marrow stimulation also have more specific medical purposes. It is used for Hypo plastic anemias (Shehzad).Elderly people also benefit as anabolic steroids can help build back diminishing bone marrow. (Kenny). Elderly men can also benefit in various other ways. Believe it or not, anabolic steroids are used to increase low levels of libido (Aksam). It does this by increasing the testosterone levels.

Anabolic steroids are basically just synthetic hormones. Any problem that involves testosterone deficiencies can readily be treated. Teenage boys suffering from delayed puberty can go for regulated treatment, and anabolic steroids are used by pediatric endocrinologists to treat children with growth abnormalities . Other examples include the use of anabolic steroids to treat Gender identity disorders. (Moore)

Lionel Messi serves as the perfect example of how steroids can prevent young kids to live their entire lives with growth deficiencies. At the tender age of 11 he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that altered his growth patterns (lionel-messi.eu/biography) The use of steroids at an early age helped transform him into the best footballer of his generation. Its a shame that the media seem to overlook these kinds of stories.

Anabolic steroids have a double effect when it comes down to the treatment of patients with chronic wasting diseases. These diseases include AIDS and cancer. Not only does it stimulate appetite but it also preserves and increase mass. It would almost certainly increase height and bone density to. Research have also gone into using steroids as a male contraceptive, and it has been successfully administered on numerous occasions. This process is easily reversible, and would remove the risk that goes hand in hand with vasectomy operations. (Matsumoto)

Anabolic steroids have also found their way into the military. (Murphy). After taking a survey of almost 50,000 military personnel the Department of Defense released a report that showed that more than 2% of them were taking anabolic steroids.

Although this might seem controversial, try to look past what critics have to say. Regulated anabolic steroid use can have a significant impact on the Navy, Military and the Air Force. Stronger soldiers, would lead to better overall protection. Think further of the effect it can have on our economy. Labour intensive workers can use the drug in order to obtain better output. Maybe that could of sped up our recovery.

Even without these anabolic effects, it does not make sense that it could be a controlled substance. If steroids are illegal, how can alcohol be legal ?

The other main benefits of steroids are derived from their anti-inflammatory qualities. These steroids are known as Corticosteroids and they are also used by doctors for medicinal purposes. P. Hench, T. Reichstein and E.Kendall collaborated together to be the first group to successfully isolate Cortizone. (nobelprize.com) Corticosteroids are a very popular and effective type of medication.

Corticosteroids are basically just synthetic cortisone and hydrocortisone. These two hormones are very valuable when it comes down to treating life threatening inflammatory issues.
They serve as the most important tool in the fight to overcome these diseases. Corticosteroids helps the immune system block away allergic and inflammatory actions. It does this by fighting the allergies at the source by stoping the production of the substances that create these allergies. (Eustice) . They are the main therapy for some of these inflammatory diseases.

They combat Systemic vasculitis, which is the inflammation of blood vessels. This could prevent inflation in kidneys, and other body parts. Myositis, which is the inflammation of muscle is also relieved after regulated use. Steroids also serve as back up roles to some treatments. They aid in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis. This condition occurs usually as people grow older. Regulated use reduces stiffness and aches in most major joints. (Douglas)

Steroids was invented initially for medicinal purposes. The remarkable effects was soon utilized by athletes who soon started abusing the drug in order to gain an even bigger advantage. This lead to major, much publicized drug busts all across the world that tainted the image of Steroids. This acted like a wall that society struggles to see over. Steroids have a number of positive attributes. Anabolic steroids improve strength and increases mass where corticosteroids have ant-inflammatory purposes.

The preconceived notion that people have on steroids needs to change in order for this drug to reach its true potential. If it does not reach its full potential there might not be a cure for diseases affecting the next generation, your children.

I want the reader to refrain from blindly following and to rather protest against the rising tide of conformity. Change the image you have on steroids, by weighing up the positive uses against mistakes made by power hungry athletes. The image of a muscular man should be replaced by thoughts of countless lives saved from regulated use. The possibilities and limits of steroids are not yet fully known, so why did we make the snap judgement.

If you think about Steroids, what are the first couple of thoughts that pop into mind? The image of ‘roid raging body builders? Do you think of star athletes careers ruined by this drug? Or do you refrain from thinking of the image the media portray and think about all the countless lives steroids save everyday?

To much of anything is bad for you. Stop victimizing regulated steroid use.

Works Cited :

1) Basaria, Shehzad, Justin Wahlstrom, and Adrian Dobs. "Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Diseases -- Basaria Et Al. 86 (11): 5108." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

2) Brown, Geoffrey. "An Abridged Report on Anabolic Steroids." Bodybuilding Fanatic. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

3)"Cigarette Smoking." American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. Web. 11 Mar. 2011.

4) Collins, Rick, Mc Donald, and Gann. "The Anabolic Steroid Control Act: The Wrong Prescription by Rick Collins, Esq." MESO-Rx - Anabolic Steroids, Steroid Profiles, Steroid Pictures, Steroid Books, Bodybuilding, Testosterone Replacement Therapy, Steroid Information. N.p., Summer 2001. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

5) Eustice, Carol. "Steroids: Anabolic Vs. Corticosteroids - Difference Between Anabolic And Corticosteroids." About Arthritis - Rheumatoid Arthritis - Osteoarthritis - Related Conditions. N.p., 7 July 2006. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

6) Harvey, Randy. "IOC Official: Steroid Users Deserve Lifetime Ban : Anita DeFrantz Says Stricter Punishment Needed for Those Testing Positive - Los Angeles Times." Featured Articles From The Los Angeles Times. N.p., 01 Aug. 1989. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

7)"History of Steroids." Anabolic Steroids - Steroid .com. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

8) Kenny, Prestwood, Gruman, and Marcello. "Effects of Transdermal Testosterone on Bone and Muscle in Older Men with Low Bioavailable Testosterone Levels." Pubmed. N.p., May 2001. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .
9) "Lionel Messi Biography." Lionel Messi. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

10) Matsumoto, Alan. "Effects of Chronic Testosterone Administration in Normal Men: Safety and Efficacy of High Dosage Testosterone and Parallel Dose-Dependent Suppression of Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, and Sperm Production -- MATSUMOTO 70 (1): 282." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. N.p., 20 Apr. 1989. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

11) Murphy, Patricia. "Steroid Problems in the Military." Kuow News. N.p., 22 Nov. 2010. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

12) Pietaro, Joe. "The History of Anabolic Steroids." Steroids - Steroids .org. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

13) "Publications - Steroid Abuse - A Guide for Understanding Steroids and Related Substances." DEA Diversion Control Program :: Welcome ::. Web. 11 Mar. 2011.

14) Roane, Douglas, and Donald Griger. "An Approach to Diagnosis and Initial Management of Systemic Vasculitis." American Family Physician. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

15) "SI.com - Magazine - A Timeline of Performance-enhancing Drugs in Sports - Tuesday March 11, 2008 3:14PM." Breaking News, Real-time Scores and Daily Analysis from Sports Illustrated SI.com. N.p., 11 Mar. 2011. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

16) Yassin, Aksam, and Farid Saad. "ORIGINAL RESEARCH—ENDOCRINOLOGY: Improvement of Sexual Function in Men with Late-Onset Hypogonadism Treated with Testosterone Only - Yassin - 2007 - The Journal of Sexual Medicine." Wiley Online Library. N.p., 13 Mar. 2007. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .

Cited: 2) Brown, Geoffrey. "An Abridged Report on Anabolic Steroids." Bodybuilding Fanatic. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. . 3)"Cigarette Smoking." American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. 5) Eustice, Carol. "Steroids: Anabolic Vs. Corticosteroids - Difference Between Anabolic And Corticosteroids." About Arthritis - Rheumatoid Arthritis - Osteoarthritis - Related Conditions. N.p., 7 July 2006. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. . 6) Harvey, Randy. "IOC Official: Steroid Users Deserve Lifetime Ban : Anita DeFrantz Says Stricter Punishment Needed for Those Testing Positive - Los Angeles Times." Featured Articles From The Los Angeles Times. N.p., 01 Aug. 1989. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. . 7)"History of Steroids." Anabolic Steroids - Steroid .com. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. . 8) Kenny, Prestwood, Gruman, and Marcello. "Effects of Transdermal Testosterone on Bone and Muscle in Older Men with Low Bioavailable Testosterone Levels." Pubmed. N.p., May 2001. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. . 9) "Lionel Messi Biography." Lionel Messi. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. . 11) Murphy, Patricia. "Steroid Problems in the Military." Kuow News. N.p., 22 Nov. 2010. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. . 12) Pietaro, Joe. "The History of Anabolic Steroids." Steroids - Steroids .org. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. . 13) "Publications - Steroid Abuse - A Guide for Understanding Steroids and Related Substances." DEA Diversion Control Program :: Welcome ::. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. 14) Roane, Douglas, and Donald Griger. "An Approach to Diagnosis and Initial Management of Systemic Vasculitis." American Family Physician. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. . 15) "SI.com - Magazine - A Timeline of Performance-enhancing Drugs in Sports - Tuesday March 11, 2008 3:14PM." Breaking News, Real-time Scores and Daily Analysis from Sports Illustrated SI.com. N.p., 11 Mar. 2011. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. .