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02/06/09
In the world of steroids, the use of needles ranks right up near the top of bodybuilding dislikes, right next to DEA warrants and prostate cancer. Just about every bodybuilder you see having any level of success at the state level probably uses anabolic steroids. There are two varieties to choose from. The first is injectable, which requires twice-weekly injections but is relatively safe. The other method is through the use of oral steroids. These are caplets which are eaten with food, and are digested in the body. Injectable steroids offer a wide variety of pain and annoyances, but the user dodges side effects for the most part with moderate dosing. With orals, however, it’s a different story. The body must process these compounds, placing the kidney, prostate, and especially the liver in danger of toxicity.
Liver toxicity is a very major concern because it can lead to decreased liver function and polyps, which are small buildups of blood on the liver. These can eventually lead to cancer. The liver is a remarkable organ which is very good at repairing itself. However, once cancer sets in, this repair ability becomes meaningless. There are a number of ways bodybuilders can help prevent liver problems. Here are a few factors which should be considered.
Milk Thistle
Supplementation with the herb milk thistle to repair liver cells and make function more efficient has been recommended for years. While there isn’t a great deal of data proving this supplement is the end-all in saving the liver, if can be useful.
Anti-oxidants
Vitamins C, E, and selenium fall into a category of compounds known as hepato protectants. They have anti-inflammatory properties which contribute to cell health in the liver as well as in other organs of the body. They also halt the actions of free-radicals, materials which cause cell mutation in the body and can lead to cancers.
Extra-curricular
Do you go out drinking on the weekends? A small amount of alcohol, in the form of one glass of red wine, can be very healthy. However, the use of hard liquor can lead to liver deterioration when used in conjunction with anabolic steroids. If you drink, don’t use AAS. If you are going to run a cycle, put your drinking on hold for a few months for both bodybuilding progress as well as health purposes.
NSAID’s
The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen is the cause of more liver damage than any steroid could inflict. These drugs are abused by Americans regularly. When abused along with AAS, the results can be tragic.
Blood work
Have your blood work completed by your physician every 6 months. Establish a baseline level first, and then return to it every 6 months to check your progress and to detect any problems that have arisen.
Above all, the bodybuilder should always look at the bigger picture. Anabolic steroids are a tool to improve the quality of your life. Without a healthy liver, that life won’t be very long. Always place health before appearance in your list of personal priorities.
