Part 4: Androstenedione

You can buy this in pharmacies and supposedly stimulates production of endogenous testosterone, enables more intense training, helps build muscle mass and rapidly repairs tissue injury.

It is a prohormone and only a step from the biosynthesis of testosterone.

Little evidence support androstenedione's ergogenic effectiveness and anabolic qualities. Research has shown no favorable effect on muscle mass or body composition

However, it can impair the blood lipid profile of healthy men and cause androgenization of female athletes.

New Book Hitting The Shelves soon...

Part 4: Dehydroepiansrosterone (DHEA)

DHEA is a weak steroid hormone synthetised primarily from cholesterol by the adrenal cortex.

The marketers of this hormone has labeeled it as a protection for cancer, heart disease, diabetes and heart disease; while bolstering the immune system; preserving youth; facilitates lean tissue gain and losing body fat.

DHEA levels decline after the age of 30, and by age 75 the plasma levels are only 20% of young adults. Popular reasoning concludes that DHEA supplementation blunts the negative effects of aging by raising plasma concentrations to youthful levels. Many people supplement with this "natural" hormone just in case it proves beneficial - typically without considering the potential harm (Just like HGH).

Pharmaceutical companies synthesise DHEA from chemicals of extract it from wild yam. The dose available ranges from 10mg to 2000 mg. Little is known about is effects on healthy aging, and its potential for side effects.

Concern exists about the effect of unregulated long-term DHEA supplementation at or baove 50mg on bodily function and overall health.
The DHEA converts into androgens such as testosterone promoting facial hair in females and alters the menstrual function. Like exogenous anabolic steroids, DHEA lowers HDL cholesterol to increase heart disease risk. Clinicians are worried that elevating plasma DHEA may stimulate growth of otherwise dormant prostate gland tumors or cause benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Part 4: Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

HGH competes with anabolic steroids in the illicit market of alleged tissue-building, performance-enhancing drugs.

Growth Hormone (GH) stimulates bone and cartilage growth, enhances fatty acid oxidation, and reduces glucose and amino acid breakdown. Healthy elderly men who received GH supplements increased lean body mass by 4.3% and decreased fat mass by 13.1%. However, supplementation did not reverse the negative effects of aging such as declining muscular strength and aerobic capacity. , the true markers of biological age.

At first glance, GH use seems appealing to strength and power athletes because at physiological levels, this hormone stimulates amino acid uptake and muscle protein synthesis while enhancing fat breakdown and conserving glycogen reserves. Hpwever, there are few studies to really prove its performance enhancement. Moreover, there are many side effects.

Part 4: Beta Agonists

Beta agonist drugs that stimulate the B2-receptors have been found to be useful in building up muscle mass in people who don't exercise or train.

It is less responsive in those who train regularly, as with exercise training, the beta2 receptors in muscles downregulate.

Such drugs include albuterol and salbutamol.

Part 4: Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are legitimately used for androgen deficiency, muscle wasting, osteoporosis etc.

Millions of athletes especially body builders used androgens, often combined with stimulants, hormones, and diuretics.

They function in a similar manner to testosterone, the chief male hormone. Synthetically manipulating the steroid's chemical structure to increase muscle growth reduces the masculinizing or androgenic effects.

Athletes typically combine multiple steroid preparation in oral and injectable form, a practice call stacking, because they believe that the various androgens differ in physiological actions. They progressively increase the drug dose - a practice called pyramiding - usually in 6-12-week cycle. The drug quantity far exceeds the recommended medical dose, often by 40-fold. The athlete then progressively lowers the dose in months before the competition to lower the chance of detection

Part4: Special Aids to Exercise Training and Performance

Considerable information exists about ergogenic aids and athletic performance - ergogenic referring to the application of a nutritional, physical, mechanical, psychological or pharmacological procedure or aid to improve physical work capacity or athletic performance.

We will look at the potential benefits of alcohol, amphetamines, ephedrine, hormones, carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, additional red blood cells, caffeine, carnitine, creatinine, phosphates, oxygen-rich breathing mixtures, massage, wheatgerm oil, mnrelas...and even marijuana and cocaine on athletic performance.

PHARMACOLOGICAL AGENTS

Many athletes use pharmacological agents to improve power, endurance and strength.

The IOC currently bans the following 7 category of substances:

1. Stimulants
2. Narcotic analgesics
3. Androgenic-anabolic steroids
4. B-blockers
5. Diuretics
6. Peptide hormones and analogues
7. Substances that alter urine sample integrity.

Continue tomorrow....