Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Marek. Marek Wonders, “How do steroids affect the human body?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Marek!
Are you a sports fan? Even if they don't make individual or team sports a regular part of their exercise routine, many people enjoy watching sporting events in person or on television.
Many professional athletes are idolized by adoring fans. People line up to get their autographs and buy their jerseys to wear during games.
While many professional athletes try to set a good example for children to follow, there are some who occasionally let their fans down. If you're a fan of certain professional sports, such as baseball, weightlifting, or cycling, then you may remember times when certain athletes have been caught up in controversies involving use of banned or illegal substances called steroids.
Not all steroids are bad, however. There are certain steroids that take the form of natural hormones produced by the human body to regulate growth and development. There are also medicines known as steroids, such as cortisone, that are routinely prescribed by doctors to treat conditions from asthma to arthritis.
The "bad" steroids you hear about in the news are more properly known as anabolic steroids. These substances are artificially-produced hormones that are created to be as close as possible to male sex hormones called androgens.
The most powerful androgen is called testosterone, and many anabolic steroids attempt to mimic its ability to build muscle in the body. This is why many athletes take illegal steroids, thinking it will increase their strength and improve their athletic performance.
Anabolic steroids can take many forms, including injections, gels, powders, creams, and pills. They can also be found as ingredients in a variety of supplements, many of which are marketed as health products.
Although anabolic steroids may help build muscle, they can also cause a wide variety of unwanted side effects. Some of these negative effects include skin problems, weight gain, hair loss, high blood pressure, stunted growth, and psychological problems like mood swings and aggression.
Despite the many negative effects of steroids, many athletes still use them in an attempt to gain an advantage on the competition. Although they can sometimes help build muscle mass and strength, scientific studies have shown that they don't necessarily improve speed, agility, or overall athletic performance.
Experts will tell athletes that anabolic steroids simply aren't worth the risks involved. They won't necessarily make you bigger and stronger, and they won't necessarily make you a better athlete. Since they're illegal, they can get you into deep trouble if you're caught using them.
Plus, using anabolic steroids is against the rules and considered cheating in most sports. Several professional athletes have been suspended or banned from competitions for using steroids. Some prominent athletes have even lost awards and records when it was later revealed they were using illegal steroids.
No one likes an athlete that doesn't play fair, and using anabolic steroids is the ultimate way to cheat others and yourself. If you want to get bigger and stronger, do it the old-fashioned way: eat right, work hard, practice more, and play by the rules!