Facts from the foundation
The USE and ABUSE of Anabolics
By JOHN B. ZIEGLER, M.D., Director of Medical Research
-For the Bob Hoffman Foundation
REPORTS of the abuse of anabolics by athletes (weightlifters and bodybuilders included) are becoming more frequent and discouraging. Therefore, at this time, it seems necessary to discuss the actions, effects and dangers of anabolics in the hope that permanent damage to some unknowing athlete may be avoided.
The term "anabolic" is used to cover all known hormones and chemical compounds that build up body tissues (bone, muscle, tendon, skin, etc.). This is done by the retention of nitrogen in the body. Nitrogen is the prime element used by the various essential amino acids in tissue maintenance and production. For this reason, anabolics are also called "nitrogen retainers." The name androgen (ANDROGEN) is included under the main heading of anabolics, but is limited to tissue-building hormones only. An androgen is defined as "being a producer or to produce." This includes any substance which possesses masculinizing activities such as the testes hormones. Masculinizing activities produce larger and stronger muscles, tendons, bones, thicker skin, coarser features, more body hair, etc. In short, the masculinizing activities of the male hormones make men men.
Everyone is the product of the activity of his endocrine (HORMONE) glands. They affect every cell in the body. The hormones influence mental activity, physical agility, build and stature, growth of body hair, pitch of voice, sexual urges, and total behavior. For these reasons, when one is low or deficient in anyone of several hormones, the medical profession can now substitute the needed hormones. But there is not any reason for an athlete who is blessed with normal hormone balance to use extra anabolics. In fact, it is when there is a normal anabolic balance in the body that added anabolics can easily prove harmful. These adverse effects will be discussed subsequently.
Anabolics were first developed for the severely debilitated patient (NO FAT RESERVE) who were wasting away from chronic illness or severe burns. Their bones were demineralizing, muscles were wasting or being consumed for body energy. The skin weakening and breaking down into open ulcers. These poor souls were in acute nitrogen loss or imbalance. To these patients, the new anabolics were life savers. They held the nitrogens eaten or given by intravenous feedings in the body so that they could be used for tissue rebuilding and repair.
The new anabolics in use by the medical profession are chemical compounds developed to have the effects of androgens on body tissue growth, with only a minimum of secondary sexual characteristics (voice change, prostate enlargement, etc.).
We will now look briefly into the dangers involved in the misuse of anabolics.
- ANABOLICS SHOULD BE USED ONLY UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION. They should not be prescribed by your coach or trainer. Your physician will check your prostate, blood pressure, heart action, kidney and liver function, blood sugar status by examination and/or a careful history analysis. If a person is placed on anabolic therapy he should have routine monthly checkups on blood pressure, prostate, etc. to be sure that adverse side effects are not developing. Any abnormal edema (Swelling), vertigo (Dizziness), or other unusual signs should be reported immediately to your physician. All anabolics in use at present list the following precaution: "This drug is not to be used in cases of a suspected cancer, prostatic disease, liver impairment, kidney damage, heart failure, and blood sugar abnormalities."
- A MALE ATHLETE SHOULD NEVER USE ANABOLICS BEFORE HE HAS ATTAINED FULL GROWTH OF HIS BONES OR REACHED FULL MATURITY. This is very important because androgens hasten the closure of the growing ends of bones (The Epiphyses) and thus prevent further growth in stature. Please take note young men. Do not deprive yourselves of the full height and growth potential merely for the sake of bigger and stronger muscle snow.
- A MATURE ATHLETE SHOULD NOT USE ANABOLICS WITHOUT REGULAR EXAMINATION OF HIS PROSTATE GLAND. There have been many recent reports of athletes who have abused themselves with FAR greater than prescribed amounts of anabolics. These individuals developed total urine blocks because their prostate gland increased to a size that would not allow them to void (pass water), thus creating immediate medical and surgical emergencies.
- A PERSON WITH ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE OR A FAST HEART (Heart failure) SHOULD DEFINITELY NOT USE THEM. Anabolics tend to hold sodium in the body, thus causing edema (tissue swelling), dyspnea (shortness of breath), and elevated blood pressure. As I have stated before, under adequate medical supervision, your physician will watch for these danger signs.
In my own clinical experience, I have seen men on anabolics develop nausea, severe weakness, and dizziness during hard workouts or in weightlifting competition. This is caused by hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar). Some people seem to spare the muscle tissue sugars (glycogen stored in muscles for work energy) and rely on the limited sugars stored in their livers and other tissues when they are taking anabolics.
There have been recent research studies and reports where athletes were divided into two groups. One group was given true anabolics and the other given placebos (tablets that look just like the real thing). A month later the strength tests were equal in both groups. Therefore, the question arises: is the rumored increase in strength and muscle size a result of the drug or is it a result of the mental belief that the drug will bring about such results?
There are many minor, secondary undesirable side-effects from anabolics which most men honestly do not enjoy. These are: one's voice becoming so hoarse that he sounds like a frog, having to shave more often each day, the skin on one's face becoming very coarse and hard, and the developing of facial acne. These side effects are much greater if one is blessed with normal hormone balance to begin with and adds extra anabolics to the body's adequate supply.
Do not be like the fool who says, "If one penicillin tablet taken as directed will cure me, then I will take five", and later develops a severe or fatal allergic reaction. AL WAYS REMEMBER THAT ALL MEDICATIONS ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IF NOT TAKEN AS DIRECTED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PHYSICIAN. Anabolics are very potent medications. That is why laws protect the patient by not allowing pharmacists to dispense them without a prescription from a physician. Where many athletes are obtaining anabolics without prescriptions and medical supervision is beyond me. Certainly it is a foolish practice on the part of the athlete.
I sincerely hope that this discussion will reach and alert many athletes to the dangers of the misuse of this drug before any permanent damage is done.