What Are Steroids and What Are They For?

Steroids are hormones produced naturally in the body, which serve to restore muscle strength, which in turn increase levels of muscle mass. These hormones arise from a molecule, scientifically known as cyclopentaneperhydrophenanthrene. These are secreted by the glands of the body and then spread throughout the bloodstream.

It should be borne in mind that resorting to the use of anabolic steroids (synthetic designs) can be illegal in sports disciplines, mainly in bodybuilding, where many participants resort to it to gain muscle quickly. They are conducive to producing a significant variety of risks, which should be taken into account before taking together with a specialist and with medical supervision.

What is the function of steroids?

This drug is mostly known for its regenerative effect and increase in muscle mass, but they perform a wide variety of functions that make it ideal for the human body. Among those functions we can find:

• Regulates the metabolism of the main macronutrients (fat, protein and carbohydrates).

• Helps maintain electrolyte balance and homeostasis. The latter is in charge of regulating vital functions, such as maintaining water levels in the body’s cells.

• In the cardiovascular system, it helps you keep it at an optimal level. The renal, musculoskeletal and nervous systems also keep it at an optimal level.

• In medicine it is used to treat conditions that occur when the body produces a low amount of testosterone, sexual impotence, and delayed puberty.
• It is also prescribed for patients with AIDS and degenerative diseases (loss of muscle mass and decrease in vitamin D).
• And in diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, dementia, some types of cancer and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

It is clear that steroids are a very beneficial hormone, it helps to maintain a healthy and optimal body, we must not leave aside that it requires supervision, that is, they should be taken under the recommendation of specialists. Beyond being used as a support during exercise, it is a medicinal hormone and it should mainly be used for it, due to the risks that are run by its use.

Benefits of taking steroids

From the different functions that this hormone has, a great variety of benefits are obtained for the human body. These help us in countless functions of the body, making it healthier and stronger. Among them we can count:

Steroids increase protein synthesis

This increase provides protein molecules to later be used to increase the size and strength of the muscle skeleton cell.

Steroids increase the production of creatine phosphate (CP)

This promotes the storage of enzymes in a muscle cell, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the same enzyme that breaks down adenosine diphosphate (ADP) which is the fuel for muscle mobilization.

Steroids Increase the nitrogen retention of the muscle cell

This being a positive balance. Nitrogen is a component of protein and when this process happens it is synonymous with muscle growth.

Steroids increase blood volume and flow

According to studies, beyond the increase in strength, size and muscle mass, there is also an increase in blood volume between 10% and 20%. This means that there is more blood flow to the muscles during training. It is also beneficial for oxygen, with an increased volume of red blood cells (CRS).

Steroids cause an increase in glycogen retention

An increase in glycogen retention also occurs for those who consume this hormone. Glycogen is a fuel from carbohydrate metabolism; with greater retention there is an increase in the size of the muscles and a better resistance.

Steroids decrease inflammation

This effect reduces the production of inflammatory chemicals, resulting in preventing tissue damage to a minimum.

Steroids inhibit some of the cortisol

Finally, the use of this hormone inhibits a part of cortisol, a catabolic hormone that penetrates muscle tissue. Because the body produces it on its own, taking steroids prevents it from penetrating less into muscle tissue, thus amplifying the effects of the hormone.

Types of steroids

To know how they are classified we must be clear that there are two types: those belonging to the group of corticosteroids and the other is testosterone, similar to the natural hormone of man. Corticosteroids have a similar effect to the natural hormone cortisol, it is produced by the adrenal glands, while the latter is used by athletes.

They are classified as follows, depending on the amount of carbons present in the side chain:

Those of 8 carbons:

1. Cholesterol.
2. Sitosterol.
3. Vitamin D.
4. Stigmasterol.

Those of 5 carbons:

1. Glycolic Acid.
2. Deoxycholic.
3. Colic.
4. Taurocólico.
5. Lithocolic.

With 2 carbons:

1. Progesterone.
2. Cortisone.
3. Those of the adrenal glands.
4. Cortisol.
5. Aldosterone.
6. Deoxycorticosterone

No carbon:

Estradiol (female sex hormone).

Testosterone (male sex hormone).

what are anabolic steroids?

This is a type of steroid designed from the male hormone testosterone, thus helping to promote muscle growth, the main function of this hormone being. It also helps in fat loss, in recovery from various ailments, and in endurance capacity after exercising.

The use of these is frequent by athletes thanks to their contribution during exercise. From here there are some that are the most used by athletes:

• Methandrostenolone : For rapid muscle building.

• Human chorionic gonadotropin : This is used when anabolic steroids have been used for a long time. Its function is the production of testosterone naturally.
• Stanozolol : Facilitates fat loss.
• Tetrahydrogestrione : Improves sports performance.

Sterods in women

Because steroids are a male hormone (synthetic testosterone), they can be dangerous for use by women. When they consume this type of hormone, they are introducing a substance that is not found in their body naturally. The effects can be physical and mental.

Steroids on a physical level

• They develop more muscle tone and increased strength.
• They are thinner (loss of common curves).
• Reduction of the size of the breasts.
• Over time they begin to appear masculine (muscles in the jaw, hair on the chin, buttocks, nipples and chest, deeper and lower voices, protruding and enlarged clitoris and male pattern baldness)

Symptoms of steroids on a mental level

• They become angry and aggressive.
• They experience mood swings, depression, loss of appetite, and addiction.
• It can cause withdrawal syndrome when you stop using them.
• Lack of concentration and memory, apathy, fear and tend to cry.

Effects of steroids on reproduction:

• The amount of estrogens decreases, severely affecting the menstrual cycle, but in some cases it stops completely, becoming infertile.
• In pregnant women there may be a risk of life to the baby.
• There may be poor growth of the fetus and there may be a tendency to give birth to a baby with both male and female features.

Damage to the body that steroids can cause

• Liver damage
• Increases cholesterol levels and weakens the immune system.
• There may be cardiovascular damage or heart attacks.
• Ligament problems may exist due to increased muscle strength.

Using steroids as medicine

As a medicine, steroids serve as a strong anti-inflammatory. These decrease swelling, redness, and tenderness to the touch. They are also beneficial for asthma and arthritis. This medicine can prevent death.

These come in the form of sprays, tablets, creams and ointments, the latter are good against eczema and contact dermatitis.

Care must be taken when using this hormone, before use it must be supervised by a doctor, because these can increase blood glucose and there may be a weakening in the bones. All this is married by prolonged use of it. These should be worn for a short time.

Side effects of steroids

Despite being an essential hormone for the human body, especially the male one, the side effects that can be produced by the consumption of these should not be set aside. Its strong effect on our body can cause us:

• Cardiovascular problems.
• Sexual dysfunction
• Testicular atrophy.
• Hypertension.
• Fluid retention.
• Blood clotting.
• Kidney disease.
• Gynecomastia
• Depression.
• Headaches
• Allergic reactions.
• Aggressiveness.
• Hair loss.
• Acne.

While the side effects of anabolic steroids are:

• Tumors in the liver.
• Responsible for liver carcinoma.
• Arterial hypertension.
• Coronary artery problems.
• Breast growth in men (gynecomastia).
• Promotes baldness.

conclusion

After observing all the effects that steroids can cause, whether positive or negative, it is harmful to health. How are anabolic steroids too. Before wanting to consume this hormone, whether for exercise or medical use, it must be authorized and supervised by specialists and doctors. It is not worth risking your health just wanting a better body.