Posted on 08/03/2005 6:45:48 PM PDT by Pharmboy
I would like to finally clear up the issue of "steroids" that athletes and body builders shoot or ingest to enhance their performance and what they represent.
As you all can see from the above diagrams, the sex hormones and cortisone all bear a striking resemblance to that devil molecule, cholesterol. Coinkydink? Not a chance. As a matter of fact, our bodies manufacture all of these hormones starting out with cholesterol--either the cholesterol from our diet or the cholesterol that we make ourselves. Depending upon the specific enzymes that we have and their relative amounts, we turm cholesterol into the hormones above (we also do the same with vitamin D, but that is peripheral to our discussion).
At any rate, what the athletes take are molecules that are similar to testosterone--a class referred to as androgens--because these are the ones that build muscle ("anabolic for protein"). They also can make you mean, hypersexual and increase your chance of getting prostate cancer, among other things. These are the molecules that turn boys into men and separate men from girls (it's a bit more complex than this, but basically factual).
The cortisone molecule is a superb antiinflammatory. This forms the basis of so many OTC and Rx skin creams that reduce inflammation. Topically, cortisone and its cousins ("corticosteroids" or "steroids") reduce inflammation in the eye when used as drops and importantly, in the lung for asthma when inhaled. They do not build muscle (they actually build fat) and do not differentiate sexual patterns,
Physicians call these "steroids;" they call the sex hormones "sex hormones" or "androgens" for the male ones and "estrogens" or "progesterones" for the female type.
So why does the MSM always refer to the male hormones that athletes take as "steroids?" Well, here's what I think: in the never-ending effort to erase differences between men and women, they give them the misnomer to sex-neutralize them. It's all a lie--and all about an important part of what makes men men. And artificial supermen.
Seeing first hand what steroids do to people, I would think they would be a great help as far as injuries go.
I have friends who use them, they get big.
the MLB drug policy is so full of holes its amazing.
there are things that you can buy legally that these players can't use and there are some illegal drugs that aren't even listed.
Bud Selig and Donald Fehr make Gary Bettman and the NHLPA guy look competent.
CHOLESTEROL IS A PRO-HOMONE! WE MUST BAN IT! BAN EGGS! BAN MILK! BAN CHEESE! BAN MEAT!
"Seeing first hand what steroids do to people, I would think they would be a great help as far as injuries go."
You are right on with that. I've got lower back arthritis from a water skiing accident when I was 16. I get 2 shots, one in each side of my lower spine, about every 2-3 months. This really helps with pain control, and it's giving me the ability to rehab my back to get it stronger. I started at once every 2 months, now I'm at the 3 month mark and still not needing anymore at the moment. To me this is a miracle because it has just gotten worse over the years, and at 41, I was almost completely debilitated.
You are speaking about two different hormones. Mom is talking about the antiinflammatory steroids that docs refer to as "steroids;" mercier is speaking about the male hormones.
The only problem with the steroids is the side effects...they really suck. But it's a trade off I'd make any day, because now I can carry and play with my grandson (9months). I've been fishing, and golfing, and been able to wrestle around with my girls and my dogs! (My dog "Cody Jack" is 130 lbs!!) Like I said, nothing but a wonderful miracle to me!!
Best,
PB
I've had two shots for a heel spur. Shots hurt like Hell! But after the initial pain, it's great for 2-3 months like you said. HOWEVER, I've also gained 15lbs since that first shot in January. I need another shot, but I can't afford to buy any more clothes! lol.
I think that the issue is one of the use of performance enhancers.
I also remember Lyle Alzado.
Indeed...the male hormone "steroids" are performance enhancers; the steroids doctors use to treat inflammation have totally different effects and do not enhance athletic performance. The point of my rant was to help distinguish between the two.
I used to get hydrocortisone shots for allergies, that's an example.
What doctors call steroids are produced by the adrenal gland and are also referred to as corticosteroids nad have very very different effects than the other hormones. This is what Jerry Lewis was on.
Have another look at my original rant and I hope I am able to make sense.
One more thing: while the body makes these hormones naturally, drug comapnies synthesisze the natural compounds and also make analogues of these molecules which have--in some cases--more potent effects.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.