What an anabolic androgenic steroid is can be best understood taking the words separately. Anabolic or anabolism refers to that metabolic process in living organisms and cells – such as inside our body – that helps in synthesizing or bringing together smaller molecules to build larger ones.
As against catabolism, that does the opposite, anabolism tends to coalesce complex molecules, letting them grow as a whole.
Androgenic stands for that property of a natural or synthetic chemical compound in vertebrates (for example, human beings) that stimulates or controls development and maintenance of masculine characteristics.
More commonly, androgen is indicative of developing male sexuality, though testosterone, a well-known androgen, secretes in both the testes of males and the ovaries of females.
Steroids, occurring as it does from sterol like cholesterol, a naturally happening steroid alcohol, is a group of organic compounds including many types of hormones, alkaloids and vitamins.
What follows therefore is that anabolic androgenic steroid is a type of naturally occurring or man-made substance that assists in growth of cells and combining smaller molecules in human body.
In other words, anabolic androgenic steroid results in growth of several types of tissues, especially bone and muscle.
Legitimate Purposes For Steroid Use
Use of anabolic androgenic steroids,legal steroids, or prohormones is popular among people who are interested in enhancement of physical performance – for example athletes and other sports persons. Some individuals use it because they perceive its use will improve their appearance, in which case it almost becomes an addiction!
In the present time, anabolic androgenic steroid rakes up more controversy than its share, which is mainly on account of abuse of the drug. Many countries have devised stringent measures in attempts to control its use and distribution.
However, it has medicinal benefit too.
Classified as Schedule III drugs in accordance with the Controlled Substances Act (U.S. Department of Justice-DEA, 1997), anabolic androgenic steroid is prescribed for treating anemia, osteoporosis, growth stimulation, gonad dysfunction, gynecological disorders, and chronic wasting conditions like cancer and AIDS, among others.
It must be noted there are many bodybuilding supplements sold as legal steroids and prohormones that are NOT illegal. These products are sold as dietary supplements and are not banned for sale or use.
Are There Any Legal Steroids in Sports ?
Making their debut in Helsinki Olympic in 1952, Soviets easily dominated in all major weight events in 1954.
According to the sources, John Ziegler, team physician for the United States asked the Soviet team’s doctor, the reason of Soviets powerful performance, after the medals were given out, and the soviet doctor replied that his team was getting testosterone shots.
It’s said that when Dr.Ziegler returned from the World Weightlifting Championship, he started his research on testosterone, and consequently developed “Methandrostenolone” or which he branded Dianabol, with the help of Ciba pharmaceutical company.
It’s believed to be one of the first anabolic steroids in sports history; it wasn’t simply testosterone.
Today, “Dianabol” is classified as a legal dietary supplement and can be obtained legally as an OTC muscle building supplement. The Dianabol sold today is non-methylated, and does not contain Methandrostenolone, which means it is much safer.
Dianabol, Methandrostenolone, and Germany
The East Germans are believed to have started using steroids in sports to win Olympic Gold Medals in the late 1960s.
The East Germany’s Chief Medical Officer submitted a report to the government recommending the administration of steroids to the entire East German athletes in 1968.
This made the East Germans making mark in all major sports events.
Soon, Dianabol became one of the most sought after steroids in sports. IN the 1960’s, D-bol contained the ingredient methandrostenolone.
It became indispensable part of athletes dietary intake. It was often used by bodybuilders, weightlifters, football players, and Olympic athletes.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is believed to have won his first of seven Mr. Olympia titles with the help of Dr. ZeiglerŽs little blue Dianabol pills.
Since then, there have come up a number of steroids in sports usage. The anabolic steroids are one of the most powerful steroids in sports; they help rapid increase in strength and powerful.
The International Amateur Athletic Federation, now the International Association of Athletics Federations, became the first international governing body to ban steroids in sports history.
In 1966-67 FIFA, Union Cycliste Internationale (cycling), and International Olympic Committee banned the steroid in sports.
Olympic Sprinter Uses Winstrol To Break World Record
Anabolic Steroids were widely used in sports in 1980’s- 90s. The Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson’s victory in the 100 m at the 1988 Summer Olympics is one of the most famous instances of steroids in sports.
Ben Johnson was stripped off his gold title when stanozolol (anabolic steroid) was found in his urine, and Carl Lewis was promoted to the gold title.
Later, Ben Johnson admitted that he had been using Dianabol, Cypionate, Furazabol, and human growth hormone.
Most of todays designer steroids have the ability to beat most drug testing.
However these same athletic enhancers are usually methylated and can be very toxic to the liver and kidneys.
This is why choosing a quality legal steroid supplement supplier is so important – you get to stay safe, and stay legal !
Anti-Doping Agency Regulates Athletic Muscle Enhancers
The immense use of steroids in sports led to the creation of the World Anti-Doping Agency in 1999. The agency was created to curb the use of steroids in sports.
The use of Steroids in sports in any form has been banned by many sports associations, such as National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), national Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), FIFA, ICC, and the Olympics.
The International Olympics Committee has incorporated 17 steroids and related compounds in its banned prohormones list.
Yet, there are several agencies, such as Major League Baseball (MLB) that still haven’t strict policies against steroids. There’s still vast use of steroids in sports at lower levels.
According to a survey, 2.7% sports persons form US high schools use steroids in sports. Steroids are widely used by noncompetitive bodybuilders and non-athletes for cosmetic reasons.