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Here’s some more information from Kevin Lawrence and the BNRG Science Advisory following up on his May 12, 2007 appearance on “Baseball Player University” the pre-game show for FOX Sports Net’s Major League Baseball game of the week. Each week, Kevin appears on Baseball Player University as the show’s sports nutrition expert. This week, Kevin discussed anabolic steroids and their impact on young athletes.
 Anabolic steroids have been a part of sports at all levels for decades, but recently they have become a more central issue due to their proliferation and cultural awareness. Since athletes and the public are now much more aware of steroids, it’s particularly important that young athletes and their parents have a better understanding of what steroids are and how they work.
Many young athletes may be attracted to steroids, believing that using them is a “magic pill” to boost performance or improve their appearance, but we want to make it very clear that there are numerous short- and long-term risks and side effects associated with steroid use. The degree of harm for many of these effects can’t be evaluated until later in life, at which time the majority of users regret having gone down the path of steroid usage. Ultimately, most have agreed that the price paid for using steroids has been too high. A risk that may seem acceptable today may become unthinkable later in life, especially when quality of life is compromised and the effects of that are felt by family and loved ones.
We do not endorse or condone the use of anabolic steroids for any purpose other than the medical applications they were developed for.
WHAT STEROIDS ARE AND WHAT THEY DO FOR ATHLETES
Anabolic steroids are natural and synthetic chemicals that are best known for their muscle growth and performance effects. In reality, they are reproductive hormones being used outside of their well-designed biological context. This fact alone makes them virtually useless in the context of health and well being during adolescence and young adulthood.
While their muscle effects appear to be desirable for cosmetic purposes, steroids can also, though not always, temporarily enhance aspects of performance directly and indirectly (in fact they “work” less often than their media-driven reputation implies). Direct effects during usage are increased strength and speed*. Indirect effects include improved exercise tolerance —increasing the amount of training and other forms of exercise that can be performed while reducing the length of time it takes the body to recover from training.
There are many different steroids, but they all employ common mechanisms. Steroids can be taken in different ways, including orally, through injection and through application to the skin (transdermally). Oral steroids are more likely to be harmful to the liver, especially when taken in higher dosages**.
History shows us that steroids are often gateway drugs. Once you become “OK” with using illegal substances (including learning to inject yourself) for performance, it isn’t much of a leap to do it for recreation or to offset depression, a problem already inherent during teenage years.
We recognize that some young athletes are interested in learning more about steroids, and there are plenty of sources — good and bad — available today; however the internet in particular is rife with misinformation on this topic. Most steroid users (and distributors) know little to nothing about safe dosages, medical problems or human physiology. The types of steroids and the dosages that are often listed online are far more dangerous than efficacious medical dosages, which are not without their own risks.
One of our strongest cautions is to avoid using the internet as a source of actionable information on the topic of steroids. And we can guarantee you this: if it comes via the internet, and it’s for sale or describes patterns of use — “how to” information — the folks providing that information have no concern whatsoever about your well-being!
That being said, if an individual over the age of 21 chooses to use steroids, they should do so only under the strict guidance of a medical doctor; but be clear on this as well — it is our contention that steroid use ultimately leads to the need for medical attention in some form or other anyway. The only way to determine the health risks surrounding steroids with confidence necessarily involves sophisticated imaging tests and frequent blood studies — the need for these procedures is a clear indication that steroids are not benign substances even for “healthy adult men.”
Here is a brief overview of the potential consequences of steroid use:
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF STEROIDS
We hope that young athletes will think long and hard before making the decision to use steroids. One thing that we now know about anabolic steroids is that there are adverse side effects associated with usage in all users. “I’m not an MD, and I’m not a Ph.D,” says Kevin Lawrence. “What I am is a father and an athlete who has experience with anabolic steroids, and I can tell you with 100 percent confidence that all teenagers and young adults taking anabolic steroids at any dose by any route will experience some form of adverse effect.” When you choose to use steroids, you are also choosing to compromise and possibly harm yourself in the following ways:
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
The most common and perhaps damaging, though most overlooked side effect associated with steroid usage is a change in personality or perspective. This is critically true for ages 10-18.
In many users, especially teenagers, steroids cause a shift in behavior that is often characterized as aggressive, but more accurately described as “risky.” Continued steroid use in otherwise healthy individuals alters the perception of reality, affecting the user’s judgment – both on the field and off.
Newton’s third law of motion states that: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” This concept operates in biological systems as well. Therefore, whatever effects steroids create (psychologically, emotionally and for the most part physiologically) during use, you can be assured that the opposite effect will occur during the period immediately following their use.
If steroids induce euphoria, increased sexual desire/activity, aggressive behavior or an increased tendency toward risky behavior; the equal and opposite of those effects will likely occur during the period immediately following (weeks to months) steroid use. Why? Because the body is trying to balance out the presence of extra hormones/steroids, and it does so by diminishing internal systems that normally work to produce natural testosterone, which is balanced with other important hormones such as estrogen and cortisol. When steroid usage is terminated the body has a difficult time returning to its normal hormone balance. The result is an endocrine system that usually produces some degree of depression. In chronic users, avoidance of depression can lead to habitual use and emotional dependence. In some neophytes, severe depression followed by life-crisis has been documented.
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Annoying side-effects such as acne, unstable libido (sex drive), increased body hair, gynecomastia (the abnormal growth of male breast tissue) and stunted linear growth are unavoidable risks that are part and parcel of steroid use. However, these annoyances pale in comparison to the potentially enduring negative impact on longevity and quality of life, effects that receive far too little attention.
In addition to these problems heart and kidney disease have become common in heavy steroid users (as is the case with many bodybuilders at all levels). There is evidence that heart and kidney disease are not only exacerbated by but also promoted by steroid use outside of medical scrutiny that includes a spectrum of imaging tests and frequent blood studies.
Concerned parents who note the above symptoms along with a big jump in body weight in their child should pay attention. These are strong signals that your child may be using steroids, and you should consider testing your son or daughter. Even a simple blood test performed during a steroid “cycle” can produce strong evidence that steroids are being used. Doctors can also employ the same urine test that is used to screen IOC and professional athletes.
ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES
NOW PAY ATTENTION TO THIS! ANY POSITIVE EFFECT DERIVED FROM STEROID USAGE IS TEMPORARY!
That means it won’t last! And since the effects are so fleeting, most feel that any achievement that comes with steroid enhanced physiology is not valid – that it just “doesn’t count.”
“I can tell you that I am far more impressed and proud of my fitness and physique today at the age of 54 than when I was a World Champion over 20 years ago,” Kevin Lawrence says. “Why? Because it’s pure, and it has permanence! Because it’s the result of higher thinking!
“Higher thinking is what drives smart nutrition and training and creates higher energy in the body which gives me all of the effects discussed above without introducing health disrupting substances into my body. Higher thinking drives success in all aspects of my life. I am a better husband, father, employer, and friend – a better human being. I don’t believe I have ever seen any of those benefits created from the use of steroids or any other drug or health-negative substance.
“Make no mistake about this. Higher thinking is the golden egg. It’s the real deal and from it you can build your highest level of ability and performance on the field and in your life. Think about it. Isn’t that what you’re really after? Keep it simple. The choice is absolutely yours. You are the only one that will live a lifetime in your body.”
Steroid use out of its medical context is viewed as cheating. It is reported that way in the press and almost all forms of communications media. Whether you accept or reject this, or excuse it: “Everyone else does it so I have to do it to compete on a level playing field,” steroid usage is considered as a moral or ethical failing, and it is outlawed in every world class competitive sport except bodybuilding.
Consequently, steroid use has to be kept secret from peers, parents and coaches. This secrecy alone leads to an ethical breach with those who are respected and loved. The strain of keeping secrets also contributes to the potential for psychological addiction and nonstop cycling of steroid usage. It sets an example to other young athletes who may then also feel compelled to “level the playing field” and opt to use steroids as well. How does this scenario differ from that of recreational and other pharmaceutical drug abuse?
Any record broken while competing under the enhancement of anabolic steroids has no business being logged along side or compared with those set naturally. It disrespects terribly the accomplishments of the Hank Aarons, Nolan Ryans and Cal Ripkens of the world. No matter how great the sports record those created by steroid users are simply not the same, nor are they perceived by anyone (in truth) in the same light as naturally produced milestones.
Many athletes’ reputations and entire careers have been permanently tainted because of failed steroid tests and some by mere speculation based on nothing more than observation. What a sadness to see an athlete’s day in the sun ruined because of false accusation or incorrect testing. This knife cuts badly in any direction. Better to just remove it completely. By taking a definitive stance against steroid usage young athletes can help protect their reputations and compare their achievements to others with pride and integrity.
Steroids can be purchased over the internet and at many gyms and training facilities in the country, and many young athletes who have made this choice have done so at their peril. Not only are the dosages and stacks listed at such websites often inaccurate and virtually always excessive (it’s in the sellers’ interest to try to get you to use, and thus buy more), but you must also contend with the fact that you don’t really know what you’re buying. You don’t know that the steroids are of the dosage claimed, or even if they are the drug they claim to be. Some are tainted or contain other harmful substances. Furthermore, it’s illegal to purchase steroids. And in today’s political climate where steroid usage has come under close scrutiny, including making its way before Congress, the likelihood of being caught buying illegal steroids is much higher than it was a generation ago.
Steroids can be obtained legally through a medical doctor though this does not speak to the ethics or safety involved. Steroids are an appropriate form of medicine for certain populations (such as those suffering from wasting diseases), but ethical medical doctors do not prescribe steroids for healthy young athletes or for purposes of increasing muscle mass for athletic performance. Doctors who prescribe steroids for these reasons are subject to ethical, legal and licensing penalties.
CONCLUSION
Those who choose to use steroids should do so only under the supervision of a qualified medical doctor and only after a full and honest review of the pros and cons. We offer that while repeating our personal position: We do not endorse or condone the use of anabolic steroids for any purpose other than the medical applications for which they are approved.
* Speed is a function of different variables many of which are adversely impacted by anabolic steroids, and this is one reason why steroid athletes are often injured. It is increasingly difficult to maintain the performance as muscle mass is added, and especially during steroid use.
** Because The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 increased public access to supplements, it has also resulted in the sale and distribution of anabolic steroids outside the intent of the law that criminalized AAS. The take home here is that even though it is apparently legal to order and receive these types of substances in the guise of all sorts of names and brands, you should avoid them entirely.
For additional information, check the following links:
http://www.steroidabuse.org/
http://www.wada-ama.org/rtecontent/document/2007_List_Format_en.pdf
THE VOICE OF REASON AND EXPERIENCE
by Kevin Lawrence and Jeff Feliciano
We have noticed with great anxiety that many of the young people who used steroids in the 1960s, ‘70s and 80s regret making this decision, especially considering that many of these people now have children of their own. We believe this is further evidence that young athletes should continue to train and compete without taking steroids. If your ability to compete with others at your level depends on taking steroids, then it’s our contention that you should accept this personal limitation and move on to other endeavors. We believe that retiring or pursuing your sport recreationally rather than competitively is a much better choice than deciding on steroid usage just to continue competing at a particular level.
For those who don’t accept this, we offer a few more thoughts that you will not read in the muscle enthusiast literature that directly or indirectly supports steroid usage.
First, it is the case that some professionals utilize performance enhancing drugs even though they are against the rules in their perspective sports. It is also true that many of these high-profile athletes are under meticulous medical scrutiny — scrutiny that involves expensive and comprehensive imaging tests to ensure that any progression to disease is treated or avoided early.
For the parents reading this who are considering empowering their children to use steroids, take the following advice to heart. We have trained with some of the greatest NFL players of all time — perennial All Pro players. The vast majority of them have commented to us that football was easy for them from the very beginning. In other words, if you have to push or condone steroid use by your child while still in high school, you are deluding yourself about their potential to play in the NCAA (which drug tests its athletes), let alone reach the professional ranks.
We have also interfaced and trained with pro baseball players, those famous suspects or admitted users as well as those whose careers were drug-free and reached the hall of fame. We are impressed by the character of nonusers and sadly unimpressed with the integrity and substance of users. We fail to see the value of steroid-mediated athletics in the wider scope of creating a substantive life. The experience is in direct opposition to the challenges life brings to all.
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