Many of the present day bodybuilders are known to be steroid users. The main reason behind the use of these substances is the fact that they help the individual accumulate more muscle in shorter time spans as opposed to the natural way which takes longer even if the athlete is on a strict diet and training regimen. This does not mean that steroid use demands less than this; all they do is hasten the process.

Steroids are synthetically derived from the cholesterol lipids that are secreted by the placenta, the gonads, and the adrenal cortex. Most steroids are derived from testosterone which is produced naturally in the body. The role of steroids in the body can be narrowed down to four crucial aspects including enhancement of the bone structure and growth, supply of energy, conversion of fat, and development of muscle. By virtue of the effect that they impart on the body, bodybuilding steroids are also known by the name androgenic-anabolic steroids. This is chiefly with respect to the effect of the main hormone used here i.e. testosterone.

Testosterone is the chief hormone in the male body and it is produced in the male testicles. As the main component of bodybuilding steroids, it is responsible for the androgenic and anabolic effects that these substances produce. Continuous usage of bodybuilding steroids amplifies these effects. Bodybuilders are most interested in the anabolic effects as opposed to the androgenic effects. This is because the androgenic effects are nothing to write home about. They are devastating for the individuals’ health and are fatal in some cases.

The sustained usage of steroids has been linked to the onset of various health problems and it is for this reason that the use of these substances is being discouraged on a global scale. The signature symptoms that follow the continued usage of steroids are quite torrid to bear and should be avoided as much as possible. Let us list some of the possible side effects that may follow the average steroid user. We can start with liver damage. This is one organ that suffers the bulk of the damage by virtue of the fact that its role is to filter the substances that are introduced into the body before they can be circulated to the intended destinations. It is called upon to perform exhausting duties and before long it tends to start succumbing to the rigors of the task.

Steroids have also been known to impart abnormal aggressiveness in users. This is a symptom whose characteristics have earned it the term ‘roid rage’. The users also stand high chances of getting various cancers, their blood may start to clot in the veins, and stunted growth is a big reality especially for teenage users. What about some side effects that nobody can ever wish on either a friend or a foe? Think of conditions like impotence, loss of virility, the development of male breasts i.e. gynecomastia, malformation of the prostrate, an enlargement of the heart…As much as it is possible it is recommended that persons uphold the non-steroid bodybuilding method. The results will be slow but sure and you won’t have to worry about devastating side effects.