Steroids and our Bodies
Introduction and Overview
What are steroids?
Steroids include any organic molecule with 17 carbon atoms arranged into a 4 carbon ring structure. The different side groups attached to this structure determines what kind of steroid it is.
Steroids are a group of lipids. The most common steroid has a single polar Oh group at one end and a non-polar hydrocarbon chain at the other. These are called sterols.
Steroids includes hormones, alkaloids and vitamins.
Our body makes steroids but there are also man-made steroids called synthetic steroids.
The steroids in our bodies are a part of the endocrine system: the group of glands that make and secrete hormones (ex. steroids) which travel through our blood
The two kinds of steroids in our bodies are corticosteroids and anabolic steroids.
The four carbon ring structure of a steroid hormone.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are an example of a steroid that can be made by the body or created by man and that can be used for medical ailments. Man-made coritcosteroids are often prescribed by doctors and can be injected or taken orally and are used to treat inflammatory conditions. These may be taken for arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, skin rashes, colitis and allergies.
Anabolic Steroids
These are steroids which work in similar ways to male sex testosterone hormones.
Testosterone:
- a hormone (chemical messenger in our bodies)
- works the development of male features- builds muscle and grows hair
- the body produces a specific amount of testosterone
A doctor may prescribe synthetic anabolic steroids to someone with AIDS or cancer to improve muscle strength and physical function.
DANGER!
Synthetic steroid hormones are very helpful for medical treatment but they are very often abused. People use these to get bigger muscles, quicker. Since the sex hormone, testosterone works muscle growth, anabolic steroids do this too as they have a similar structure.
How does this work?
Our muscles are made up of long fiber chains which contain protein. When we work out, we strain our muscles and create tears in the muscle fibers due to the fibers sliding past each other as the muscle expands and contracts. Our body knows how to repair the tears by mending the fibers into larger and harder muscles. Extra proteins are being used. The testosterone levels also drop and glucocorticoid hormones are used up to stop inflammation. These glucocorticoids also break down muscle tissue.
Steroids
- anabolic steroids give higher testosterone levels after a work out which will help the muscle to be repaired quickly
- they also block the glucocorticoid hormones so less muscle in broken down
- steroids help more proteins to be produced
The effects of steroids on the body have been tested by scientists with rats. Athletes will now inject themselves with steroids or swallow pills. Steroids are overused all the time. Some may take 10-100 times a normal medical prescribed amount. Steroids will only work with the right diet and workouts. They really do seem to work; athlete's muscles grow bigger and stronger very quickly. However, they have some nasty side effects because the body's normal cycles are being interrupted.
SIDE EFFECTS OF ANABOLIC STEROID ABUSE
- high blood pressure
- blood clots
- acne
- liver tumors
- breasts in men
- facial hair on women
- shrunken testicles
- infertility
- menstrual cycle interruptions
- erectile disfunction
- baldness
- depression (the nerve cells of the brain are affected)
- suicidal tendencies
Efforts to avoid these nasty side effects
- Cycling: taking regular breaks in self medication
- Stacking: combining different steroids
- Pyramiding: gradually increasing the dose amount
BUT: none of these actually work.
STEROID STREET NAMES
- Juice
- Gym Candy
- Pumpers
- Andro
- Stackers
REFERENCES
Anabolic Steroids. (n.d.). Retrieved November 06, 2017, from https://www.webmd.com/men/anabolic-steriods#1
Ogbru, P. O. (n.d.). Corticosteroids: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing. Retrieved November 06, 2017, from https://www.medicinenet.com/corticosteroids-oral/article.htm