If you ban steroids for their ability to increase performance, then prohibit trainings too!

Steroids are widely taken around the world. While certain individuals administer these medicines in order to treat some illnesses, others apply them in order to induce increasing muscle mass, gain strength, burn fat, etc. Undoubtedly, nobody will be ever able to contest benefits which can be achieved with the help of these medicines. But it is needed to take into account that steroids cause unwanted reactions along with benefits. That’s why those who plan to use these preparations should study potential dangers before they start administering these medicines.
Knowing about probable risks, you can find certain methods in order to prevent or minimize them. Those that have ever administered anabolic steroids know that some of them convert into estrogen in the body, leading to such undesirable consequences, as fluid retention, gynecomastia, fat accumulation, etc. Anti-estrogen products can prevent or at least to reduce severity of these health problems. Anabolic steroids also suppress natural production of testosterone. Luckily, there are several remedies that can restore this process.
Besides of preparations, there are also other methods to avoid or minimize adverse effects. Dosages should be reduced; cycles must not be long; appropriate stacks should be chosen, etc.
While certain undesirable consequences of anabolic steroids are obvious, others can be detected only with the help of lab tests. Thus, steroids may increase hematrocrit levels. This unwanted consequence is quite dangerous. Elevated hematocrit levels lead to other grave undesirable reactions. Persons with this problem may face illnesses of cardiovascular system and problems connected with blood circulation. Even heart attack and death may occur because of elevated hematocrit levels. That’s why it is needed to check hematocrit levels while taking steroids.
If a steroid user finds out that he/she has elevated hematocrit levels, this individual should consult his/her treating physician. Intake of steroids must be stopped. Physicians prescribe products for reduction of hematocrit levels. Thus, hematocrit levels should return to their normal levels. Otherwise, additional problems will appear.
Hematocrit levels should be maintained within normal range. There are some simple rules that should be kept by athletes for this purpose. Those that train hardly should drink much water. Furthermore, it is recommended consuming grapefruit. It is stated that this fruit contains a compound which is able to reduce high hematocrit levels.
In case you desire to avoid having elevated hematocrit levels, don’t use anabolic steroids!

Steroid users may have high hematocrit levels

The boxer Tony Thompson claims that steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs should be legalized in boxing. The sportsman considers that anti-doping laws and gun laws are identical. Who keeps gun laws? Just good guys do it. That’s why good guys are at a disadvantage. Thus, the similar situation is related to anti-doping laws. Just honest sportsmen don’t take steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs. Thus, they fight with those who have increased their performance with the help of anabolic steroids and other related products.
It is stated that steroids are not allowed in sports because they are dangerous. What would you say about boxing in itself? Isn’t boxing dangerous? The answer is evident.
But it is also claimed that it is necessary to prohibit anabolic steroids and other related drugs in order to make boxing safer. Steroids and other doping products increase performance. The more enhanced performance is, the more dangerous matches are. However it is true, would you prohibit anything that promotes performance of boxers? So, you prohibit steroids because they increase performance. Then prohibit workouts as well since they enhance performance too! Thus, you will decrease performance while reducing possible risks. What do you think about this aspect?
Tony Thompson also adds that detection tests are not effective at all. While numerous sportspersons apply forbidden preparations, only some of them are caught and suspended. So, dopers have unfair advantage over those who obey anti-doping rules. There is no logic.
Of course, statements expressed by Tony Thompson are reasonable. Anti-doping laws make matches more unfair. Moreover, the prohibition of doping doesn’t make rounds safer. A lot of boxers continue to administer anabolic steroids and/or other banned products without being detected. They continue to fight and have success with the help of doping, while honest guys are at a disadvantage because they keep anti-doping laws.
Thus, if doping is permitted in boxing, matches will be fairer. Of course, they will remain unsafe. But they will be at least fair.
Tony Thompson has been harshly criticized for his arguments pro legalization of doping in boxing.

Why don’t athletes replace steroids with other remedies?

Anabolic steroids are regularly taken by sportspeople, bodybuilders and by ordinary persons. Since these medicines are prohibited in sports, doping scandals appear every day. Other remedies are taken along with steroids. Many sportspersons are inclined to use heroin. You would possibly wonder why heroin is used in sports. It is believed that heroin is used by sportspersons for relief of pain.
Studying history of doping in sports, you can notice that athletes are ready to utilize numerous strange things, if these remedies are capable to promote muscle growth, decrease fat deposits, add energy, speed recovery from injuries and kill pains. Gorgets and pickle juice represent only some remedies that are used along with steroids.
Doping is not a new factor in sports. Sportspeople dope from ancient times. They put efforts to elaborate new remedies which can help them to reach some goals through enhancement of performance. It is often stated that sports are good for health. Sportspersons and bodybuilders are normally seen as healthy persons. But it is a wrong point of view. Sports are connected with certain risks for health. Athletes push their bodies till limits. They administer some dangerous remedies that promote their succeeding, obtaining awards and getting money. However some sportspersons reach brilliant results linked with prizes, they ruin their health significantly. Certain sportspersons and bodybuilders even administer such medicines that threaten to life. They do it in the name of physical performance and success in sports.
Although new remedies for increase of performance are elaborated, you probably see that the most of scandals are related to steroids and growth hormones. While certain drugs appear and disappear quickly, anabolic steroids are unlikely to disappear. Although anti-doping agencies try to eliminate application of steroids from sports, their efforts turn out to be unsuccessful. While anti-doping officials develop more efficient tests for detection of anabolic steroids and other related drugs, sportspersons and bodybuilders find more sophisticated ways to dope and avoid detection. Thus, a lot of athletes dope while not being caught by anti-doping agencies. Nobody can contest that anabolic steroids and certain other performance-enhancing drugs are widely abused in the world of sports and bodybuilding. Usage of steroids is unlikely to be eliminated from sports.

Olympic athlete admitted to murdering his girlfriend

Oscar Pistorius admitted that he had killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. But the athlete underlined that he had shot her because he had mistaken her for an interferer.
Police officers try to determine why Oscar Pistorius really killed Reeva Steenkamp. They discovered anabolic steroids at the athlete’s home.
Since steroids have been discovered in Oscar’s bedroom, it would be possibly stated that steroids caused uncontrolled behavior in the sportsman. Anabolic steroids would be demonized for the murder.
In fact, you should recognize that it is quite hardly to claim that steroids are responsible for aggression and violence. Studies linked with this issue are quite limited. According to results of some researches, users of steroids are predisposed to aggression, paranoia, jealousy, etc. It is claimed that those who use steroids are more likely to commit crimes than those who have nothing to do with these preparations. But it is important to take into account that steroids may just contribute to aggression. Just these preparations alone can’t lead to aggression. They turn out to be only factors that contribute into uncontrolled aggression. Other factors should be also present in order to cause aggression. Circumstances play great role in such cases. So, it is even impossible to define whether steroids cause aggression or certain circumstances. Cases should be viewed as a complex of steroid use and circumstances.
It is also claimed by scientists that elevated levels of testosterone are associated with aggression in certain individuals. So, it is necessary to underline here that while certain individuals with elevated testosterone levels suffer from aggression, others with increased testosterone levels are not predisposed to uncontrolled aggression. This effect differs from one individual to another.
You can see that the connection between administration of steroids and violence is a complicated issue. Scientists have not studied this condition well enough to implicate it. Thus, if defense lawyers of the Olympic athlete desire to argue that anabolic steroids have made their client to murder his girlfriend, they should realize that they are going to utilize controversial affirmations.

Drug manufacturers collaborate with anti-doping officers

Nowadays numerous drug manufacturers are ready to collaborate with anti-doping agencies in their war on application of prohibited medications in sports. It sounds strange but this is the reality. In fact, if you review the fate of EPO, you can comprehend why drug manufacturers agree to support efforts of anti-doping officers. EPO is actually an effective remedy for treatment of anemia. A lot of individuals with anemia that have taken EPO have been treated. But what do you think while hearing about this medication? Almost each person associates this remedy just with doping in sports. This drug has been abused by the seven-time winner Lance Armstrong that has cheated the whole world. Thus, EPO is associated only with lying, shame, etc. Looking at this case, pharmaceutical companies try to “defend” their preparations from the similar fate. That’s why they work together with anti-doping officers.
However several pharmaceutical companies began to collaborate with anti-doping agencies earlier, sometimes there were some problems between them. Anti-doping agencies criticized several drug manufacturers for their links to doping.
Today relations between anti-doping agencies and drug manufacturers are better. Pharmaceutical companies share detailed information about new medicines with anti-doping officials. It is precious information for development of detection tests for these medicines. While anti-doping officers learn how medicines are manufactured, how they pass into body, how they work in the body, they can develop more effectual tests for these drugs.
For example, the pharmaceutical company Roche that developed the preparation CERA helped anti-doping officers to elaborate a detection test for it. Later other pharmaceutical companies followed the example of Roche. The company GlaxoSmithKline went so far, as it sponsored an anti-doping lab during the 2012 Olympics.
While relations between anti-doping agencies and huge drug manufacturers become closer, smaller pharmaceutical companies started to cooperate with anti-doping officials as well. While earlier drug manufacturers haven’t desired to discuss about their relations with anti-doping agencies openly, now they don’t fear to announce about this condition.

Unfairness in sports

It is not needed to subject athletes to tests for doping substances. Numerous cases manifest that tests for prohibited preparations aren’t effective. In addition to this factor, it is important to realize that application of tests by anti-doping agencies is not logical at Olympics. The main goal of Olympic athletes is following: to become faster, stronger and to be at the top level. Thus, why should you keep sportspersons far from drugs that could help them to reach this result?
As you know, anabolic-androgenic steroids and other related medications enhance performance. Thus, sportspersons should be allowed to use these remedies in order to increase physical performance.
A lot of persons claim that steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs make competitions unfair. Is this point of view true? No, it wrong. You should understand that tests for anabolic steroids and other related preparations make competitions unfair. Numerous athletes apply performance-enhancing drugs while avoiding detection. So, certain athletes administer steroids; others don’t break anti-doping rules. As a result, dopers have unfair advantage over non-dopers. It’s unfair. Let all athletes have similar access to performance-enhancing drugs. Thus, competitions will be fairer.
But discussing unfairness in sports, you should remember about other conditions that have more serious influence of fairness/unfairness than anabolic steroids and other related preparations. Some sportspersons live in developed countries; others are in less developed countries. Some sportspersons have money to purchase needed equipment; others can’t afford it. Some countries can sponsor athletes, coaches, sport doctors and managers; others are not able to do it. Thus, unfairness should be discussed here.
Olympic athletes spend much time while training. They sacrifice time, money, etc. That’s why it is illogical to ban those who are caught taking anabolic steroids and other doping products.
While athletes are sentenced to suspensions for intake of anabolic steroids and several other chemical substances, they are never suspended for usage of herbs and certain potions. It is claimed that steroids and other chemical substances are banned in sports because they can boost athletic performance. But what is for herbs and potions? They are also capable to enhance strength. Nevertheless, these remedies are not prohibited in sports.  Chinese athletes take herbal remedies and win.
Of course, you may argue that steroids and certain other drugs may result in serious side consequences. Undoubtedly, certain forbidden drugs may cause serious health troubles. But those who plan to use these products do own research. They are aware of probable dangers. Let athletes decide whether it is worthy to administer such medications. If they are ready to worsen health, let them do it because they should manage own bodies.

Underground labs obtain raw powders for manufacture of steroids from China

The WADA director general David Howman considers that China is the main source of raw materials utilized by underground labs for manufacture of steroids, HGH and other related medicines. Raw powders are sent from this country. Then underground labs produce illicit medicines which are offered for sale by dealers at gyms and on the streets.
The black market of anabolic steroids controls sales of illegal medicines on the white market. The black market is the source of products which are getable on the white market. It is stated that almost all products which are sold have been initially obtained from underground labs which have utilized raw materials from China.
Elite athletes are frequently criticized for application of steroids and other related preparations. Since steroid scandals appear each day, numerous persons consider that steroids and other related products are mainly applied by elite athletes. But it is necessary to notice that this a wrong conception. Certain specialists have determined that anabolic steroids and other related medicines are more frequently administered by high school students and aged individuals who try to improve their appearance. While students want to increase muscles with the help of anabolic steroids and several other illegal preparations, aged individuals try to add strength and lower fat deposits with the help of these drugs.
Unluckily, legal supplements frequently contain steroidal substances. Companies include such substances intentionally. As a result, those who use just nutritional and/or sport supplements turn out to be steroid users. According to the WADA director David Howman, it is necessary to control supplement industry in order to prevent appearing of supplements that contain steroidal compounds.

What do you think about legalization of doping in sports?

What do you believe about legalization of doping in sports?  Some individuals say that it is time to legalize it. Others don’t agree. What do you think?
Those who are against legalization of doping in sports believe that anabolic steroids and other related medications represent essential evil. They may cause serious undesirable results in consumers. Moreover, a doper has unfair advantage over a non-doper during competitions.
According to another point of view, administration of steroids and other doping products should be permitted in sports. Let sportspeople take whatever they desire! If they desire to take anabolic steroids, let them do it! If they intend to apply other preparations, let them do it! If they desire to apply certain drugs, let doctors supervise their application! Doctors know what their patients should do in order to avoid certain negative reactions. Thus, performance-enhancing drugs will not lead to grave undesirable reactions. As a result, application of steroids and other related preparations will be relatively safe for health and life of users.
As you know, steroids and other doping products are currently prohibited in sports. When sportspersons are suspected and/or found guilty of doping, scandals appear. Such situations are widely discussed during TV shows, in magazines, newspapers, on internet, etc. You must know that each scandal commonly contains not only truth but also gossips, exaggerations, etc. As a result, you can’t assure whether some affirmations are true or not.
Those that are against legalization of doping in sports claim that athletes enhance performance unnaturally with the help of steroids and other related medications. Discussing about enhancement of athletic performance, you should remember about enhancement of sexual performance, cognitive skills, improvement of health, etc. Why do we use certain medicines and supplements, improving our health and life, while blaming athletes who try to promote performance with steroids and other doping products? Is it fairly? You would notice that steroids and several other doping products lead to health problems. Yes, it is true. But what do you think about usage of caffeine and nicotine? They are accepted in the society. But it is necessary to note that caffeine and nicotine result in more serious health problems than anabolic steroids and other related medications. Nonetheless, consumers of caffeine and nicotine are not so harshly demonized, as users of steroids.
Anti-doping agencies hope that they will soon eliminate doping from sports. “Sports will be clean”, - they exclaim. But it is needed to realize that doping will be never eliminated from sports. Anti-doping officers will not be ever able to do it. While they introduce new methods of detection and enhance punishment for application of forbidden substances, sportspersons find new ways to avoid detection. Thus, anyone should understand that this conflict will never end, if doping is not permitted in sports.

Hypocrisy in society

The reporter Dan Le Batard claims that it is necessary to think over our attitude to doping. Do we evaluate various athletes identically? Do we accept administration of steroids and other related preparations by athletes? What is our real attitude to sportspersons that utilize anabolic steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs/procedures? Do we express admiration of those that have success in sports because of anabolic steroids and other related remedies?
Sometimes the society is guilty for doping of sportspersons. The society should be demonized for abnormal behavior of sportspersons. The society expresses admiration of abnormal things that occur in the world of sports. The society admires of those that have ligaments removed from cadavers. The society praises athletes that are involved in different abnormal actions: playing football with catheter, cutting fingers off, etc. Sportspersons do a lot in order to become famous. They submit to various procedures which are not required for their life. Furthermore, they use such medications and procedures which cause different health problems in them. Why do they do such things? The answer is evident: they want to be praised; they desire to become famous. So, they do it for physical performance. While athletes use remedies that result in grave harm in them, we support their actions through our admiration, awards, money, etc.
Actually, the society is hypocritical. While we are inclined to demonize steroids and several other forbidden medications, we don’t condemn sportspersons that utilize various procedures for increase of their athletic performance. While we demonize certain dopers, we praise others. Why are some preparations and procedures prohibited for enhancement of performance, while others are permitted? Let be honest! If you blame anabolic steroids, don’t support those that apply alternatives to these medications that have also ability to promote athletic performance. If you desire to see natural talents of athletes, don’t admire of those that submit to various procedures for enhancement of physical performance! Before you blame or admire someone/something, think over this aspect! Don’t hurry and be reasonable!

Anti-aging clinics are connected with steroid scandals

Many anti-aging clinics are linked with steroid scandals. It’s not surprisingly because they supply sportspersons and bodybuilders with anabolic steroids and other related drugs. When appropriate authorities search anti-aging clinics and seize medical records, they find out that several famous sport figures are clients of the clinics.
Recently certain anti-aging clinics located in Miami were investigated. Federal agents defined that the clinics offered prescription drugs for sale illegally. The clinics sold medications for enhancement of muscle mass, fat reduction, increase of strength, etc.
According to the newspaper the Miami New Times, the anti-aging clinic Biogenesis was found guilty of illicit sale of performance-enhancing drugs. Moreover, such prominent baseball players, as Alex Rodriquez and Melky Cabrera purchased doping products at Biogenesis of America. So, the anti-aging clinic turned out to be linked with one of the biggest doping scandals in the sport of baseball.
Medical records of Biogenesis were taken from an employee of the clinic. The records were presented on the website of the newspaper Miami New Times. Journalists said that the employee who gave the records didn’t want to be identified.
It is reported that steroids, HGH, IGF-1 and other prescription medications are widely sold illegally by anti-aging clinics. Furthermore, clinics hire doctors that provide fake prescriptions. Prescriptions for steroids and other doping products are often given to clients without proper evaluation of their individual conditions. Furthermore, doctors provide prescriptions even without seeing their patients. In additions to these aspects, some corrupt physicians allow anti-aging clinics to use their prescription pads. So, anti-aging clinics sell anabolic steroids, painkillers and other prescription medications illegally, as if they acted legally.
When illicit operations of anti-aging clinics become obvious, owners of clinics, physicians and some employees are sentenced to certain sanctions. Nonetheless, the risk to receive punishment doesn’t stop clinics from their illegal activities. However proper authorities try to eliminate illicit sale of prescription preparations, their success is not yet essential.

Baseball will be soon drug-free

Although several persons claim that doping will be never eliminated from sports, you can come across more optimistic opinions linked with this issue.
The former MLB player Frank Thomas notices that he has had success has in baseball without usage of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. He is happy that he has never doped. Looking at Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, he is proud of his achievements in baseball. The baseball stars Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa have had great success. But now their accomplishments are removed. These sportspersons are claimed to be cheaters. They haven’t been introduced into the Baseball Hall of Fame, despites of their success. Frank Thomas is glad about this aspect. He notes that consumers of steroids must never be in the Hall of Fame. Furthermore, Frank Thomas claims that he has played during the steroid era successfully without administration of prohibited products.
Frank Thomas notes that he has respected the successful baseball players Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.  But since they have applied anabolic steroids and/or other forbidden medicines, Frank Thomas doesn’t consider them stars longer. However, he doesn’t have critical words for them. But Frank Thomas thinks that intake of doping products is their decision and they have to suffer the consequences, being out of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa have been tainted. Their accomplishments don’t cost anything because they are fake. Such persons shouldn’t be praised.
Frank Thomas believes that the MLB acts correctly, agreeing to introduce blood testing for HGH. While baseball players have been subjected to urine testing for HGH, they will be also subjected to blood testing for this prohibited drug regularly. So, Frank Thomas claims that the drug testing program becomes more effective in the MLB. He suggests that doping will be eradicated from this sport completely. Games will be soon fair, according to Frank Thomas.

It is time to permit doping in sports

Many professional athletes obtained steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs from Biogenesis, a Miami anti-aging clinic. The famous baseball players Alex Rodriquez, Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon also belonged to persons that got steroids at this clinic.
What is uncommon here? - Nothing. Steroids and other related medicines are widely taken in baseball and in other sports. Athletes purchase these medicines at pharmacies, clinics, etc. A lot of anti-ageing clinics, pharmaceutical companies and other related establishments distribute steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs illegally. Biogenesis is not the only clinic that is involved in illicit operations related to steroids and other prescription medicines. Athletes find different methods to acquire anabolic steroids and other related products and use them. Although anti-doping agencies try to eradicate doping from sports, their efforts are not successful.
Do you think that anti-doping agencies don’t work enough well? Do you mean that they should introduce more sophisticated drug testing policies? Do you think that they don’t do their job properly?
It is important to see that no any drug testing program is capable to eliminate doping from sports entirely. Sportspersons find numerous methods to avoid detection. Doping is a part of sports. It exists from ancient time. Even ancient Greeks and Romans had several methods to enhance their performance to win. Will athletes discontinue administering anabolic steroids and other related medicines now?
Several athletes buy undetectable preparations and use them. Furthermore, they hire specialists that provide tips for application of steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs. So, certain athletes have unfair advantage over others. Anti-doping officials can’t change the situation. They are not able to make sports “clean”. What is it necessary to do under such circumstances? It is probably necessary to legalize doping in professional sports. So, anyone will be allowed to administer whatever he/she wants. As a result, no any sportsperson will have unfair advantage over another.
But since anabolic steroids and other related products are not permitted in sports, athletes try to find methods to purchase and use these drugs, avoiding detection. When it becomes obvious that certain sportspersons dope, scandals appear.