All You Ever Wanted To Know About STEROIDS...

Roger Metz interviewing Rodger Kelley, M.D.

Many bodybuilding enthusiasts have the erroneous idea that they must take steroids to achieve good muscle building progress, a great misconception. Here a medic discusses the disadvantages connected with the taking of these drugs. Everyone wants to know the facts but doesn't know where to get them...they are presented here...now!

WITHOUT A DOUBT the biggest controversy raging in bodybuilding today is the steroid issue. Unfortunately it's become a chemical sport. It's no longer the point of who trains the hardest and diets the strictest but who has the best doctor and druggist.

No longer are bodybuilders restricting themselves to steroids for building. Thyroid extracts and other exotic chemicals are used to "cut up," amphetamines (speed) to get harder workouts, then downers (depressants, tranquilizers) afterwards to relax.

On the one hand the sport has greater acceptance by the general public through the increased exposure given by the media, but on the other hand, the media will be taking a long, hard look at the darker side of the sport.

Since I've been a competitive bodybuilder for 20 years, I've seen the sport evolve for the better and the worse. I really can't say I see anything positive regarding drug use in the sport. After a recent California contest my wife and I joined a number of contestants for a bite to eat. A number of years back at such a social gathering the conversation would have revolved around various techniques and types of training and diet. At this particular gathering very little was said regarding training or diet. The whole conversation centered around who was taking what combination of drugs and how much.

Another concrete example was a very good personal friend. This friend had migrated from his local gym to one of the "big name" gyms. He became good friends with one of the big names. While in conversation he related to me that he had really "learned" a lot from this big name. Pursuing the conversation further, I discovered that what he had "learned" had nothing to do with training or diet, but rather what combination of drugs to take.

As in any controversy, there are heated opinions and thoughts on both sides. I'm sure there are those who are violently opposed to what I am saying and some at the very least think I'm old-fashioned. Yet I'm sure there are also a great number who agree with me.

The rationale for taking the steroids and other drugs seems to be: number one, that they are necessary in order to compete; secondly, "everybody" is taking them; thirdly, I don't really believe they'll hurt me...I've talked to a lot of guys who didn't have any side effects!

The following interview was conducted at the Iron Man's Gym in Oceanside, California with Rodger Kelley, M.D. Dr. Kelley's appearance belies his age. He's often mistaken for a teenager. Although he's not into competition nor a big man, Doc Kelley has the muscularity of a competitor. Despite his busy work schedule he is a heavy trainer with amazing leg strength. I have personally witnessed him squat 375 for 3 sets of 10 reps at a bodyweight of 135. As to his medical background, Dr. Kelley graduated from the University of Illinois' Chicago Medical School. He did his internship in the Navy at Balboa Navy Hospital in San Diego and his service to the Fleet at sea in the South Pacific. Following this he was stationed at Camp San Mateo Dispensary, Camp Pendelton Marine Base for 2½ years. He holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve and is presently stationed with the USS Paul Revere LP A-248, Long Beach.

Dr. Kelley is currently working at the Methadone Treatment Center as well as the emergency department of Morningside Hospital, both in the Watts area of Los Angeles. He is interested in pursuing a career in public health administration.

Since the doctor has been a member of the Iron Man's Gym we've had many lengthy discussions regarding steroids and drugs in bodybuilding and this article evolved from these discussions.

Doc Kelley really has a gift with words and has held the rapt attention of many of the gym members when he speaks on some medical aspect of training. Here are some of his thoughts on steroids:

"The body's chemistry is a symphony with so many instruments playing so many different notes. Changing a certain instrumentation or rewriting a section of notes would totally imbalance the entire composition. The pituitary is the master conductor and naturally changes the body tone from key to key according to the body's maximum potential.

"More concentration and enthusiasm during a workout will cause the hypothalamus to send more of a chemical message to the anterior pituitary which in turn will naturally produce more hormone--not only from the testicles but from the adrenal glands and thyroid. Therefore a more productive workout and more growth will result.

"Medical research is still very inconclusive as to the advantages of steroid-stimulated muscle growth versus the disadvantages of steroid-caused side effects. Even though a novice bodybuilder is aware that steroids do make muscles bigger, American drug companies who make steroids are unwilling to encourage the use of steroids to enhance athletic performance because the side effects can be so very severe.

"There is a roller coaster effect when hormones are introduced into the body. So, if synthetic hormones are introduced into the body, it is not only important how much but when they are put into the body. So many bodybuilders who are taking steroids on their own are not utilizing them properly.

"Attempts to stimulate the adrenal glands with ACTH (adrenocorticothrophic hormone) or attempts to stimulate the thyroid with thyroid extract from monkeys (thyroxin) may result in the breakdown and burning of all body tissues indiscriminately including muscle not just fatty tissue.

"The body breaks down basic body components in the following order: 1st, simple sugars and complex carbohydrates (carbs); 2nd, proteins; and 3rd, free fatty acids and lipids (fats).

"Here is an example: If the body needed energy from 5 grams of body tissue, the body would probably take 80% from carbs (stored in the liver and muscle tissues), then probably tear down 5-10% proteins before it would take 10-15% from fats.

"However, the body's preference for absorbing food is in the following order: 1st, protein; 2nd, carbs; 3rd, fats. Because of this factor, people who are overweight need to expend more energy than they absorb to burn off stored fat--diet alone is not enough."

QUESTION: "Generally speaking, Doctor, what are steroids and what are the different forms?"

ANSWER: Commercial anabolic steroids are a synthetic derivative of the male hormone testosterone. Their original purpose was to combat the aging process for the elderly patient and to rebuild the sick and debilitated patient. Steroids come in oral or injection dosages. The dosage isn't as important as the actual amount of unchanged hormone that gets into the muscle cell. If it is not absorbed, it doesn't do any good.

I understand there are less side effects from injection than oral. Is that true?"

Higher dosage of oral versus a slightly lower dosage of injectable may have the same side effects. Again, it has to do with the amount that goes into the cells. Also, there is no evidence that steroids taken intermittently would cause less side effects than steroids taken on a regular basis.

Are side effects worse for someone in their teens?"

Yes! The bones close earlier. The youngster would not reach his potential bone thickness or genetic height.

Generally speaking, what are some of the possible side effects?"

Stimulation of sebaceous glands, severe acne, boils, closing growth centers in the bones, puffiness in tissues and lack of sex drive. Over the long term, steroids will affect the subcutaneous tissues (the tissues between skin and muscle). This causes the skin to look unhealthy. Chronic use of steroids is thought by some medical investigators to cause liver and kidney damage. These are to name a few!

Can steroids be addictive?"

Yes, both psychologically and physically. The body develops a craving for the stimulation. Steroids create a feeling of euphoria. Many people experience a state of depression when going off steroids.

What about the liver and kidney damage?"

Taking steroids is like running a car in 2nd gear at 40 miles an hour. It's a constant strain on the liver and kidneys!

Is it true steroids prematurely age the internal organs?"

This is hard to substantiate but it seems very possible.

Can steroids cause sterility?"

No. But steroids do cause a lack of libido and a lack of erection as well as a decrease in the amount of sperm produced.

Can taking steroids lead to taking other drugs, i.e., speed, etc.?"

I feel strongly that when a person decides natural ability and personal motivation are inadequate, this leads to steroids, then other stimulators

Do you foresee drugs in athletics getting better or worse?"

Unfortunately, people will be lured into using more and more thinking that more is better. With better knowledge at least they can make a more intelligent choice.

What did you think of the nonsteroid contest?"

I think it was a great start in the right direction. I think those in the sport need to take serious consideration of what steroids and other drugs are doing to the sport. I do tend to be a little skeptical of the testing. Perhaps a tissue assay needs to be done to test for a residual of the steroids in the tissue rather than blood tests.

Do you believe the same end results can be achieved without the steroids?"

I believe with steroids one can probably hypertrophy beyond the maximum natural potential of the muscle However, what that muscle looks like and how long one can keep that size is another story. You just can't keep it on the steroids. It's strictly short term; there is definitely an artificial look to the body.

In conclusion there are those who will take steroids and any other drugs regardless. To these people at least be aware of the facts. Read as much as you can, consult a physician and if you're set on taking steroids, do it under medical guidance and supervision. On the other hand, is it worth the price you might have to pay for a fleeting moment of glory? Believe it or not, there are still plenty of top bodybuilders around that do it the old-fashioned way--plenty of hard training and a good diet. Bob Gallucci has gone on record many times as being totally opposed to steroids. Ron Hutchinson has beaten some big names including Arnold for Most Muscular in the International without taking steroids. Sergio Oliva had never even heard of steroids when he came to this country from Cuba in the early 60s and those who saw him compete in those days felt he was at his all-time best then.

I've known Harold Poole since he was 15 years old and by the time he was 17 he was fourth in the Mr. America competition without steroids.

We have a very large Polynesian young man of 19 in the gym, Etuale Ioane, who I've known since he was 12. He wouldn't know a steroid if he saw one. Now I'm not big on measurements as they get exaggerated and stretched out of proportion but you'll have to take my word on Etuale. At 5'8 he weighs 225 with a 52 chest, 20" cold arm and 19" calves and has the closest structure to Sergio I have ever seen. Right now he is in the process of trimming about 15 pounds to start entering contests.

So, Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and yes, Joe Bodybuilder, you can build big muscles and compete without steroids!

PHOTO CAPTIONS

- Dr. Rodger Kelley who provided the answers used here does some exercises to stay strong and fit.

- Etuale Ioane, a massively built specimen, displays the muscles he developed without drugs.

- Etuale gives Dr. Kelley a husky pose.