Here are the main uses and potential health benefits of steroids
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) or simply called steroids are a synthetic form of testosterone, which is the primary male hormone and affects various parts of the body such as the muscles, hair follicles, bones, liver, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems.
This substance is commonly associated with bodybuilding to promote muscle gain. However, it also has other uses. According to the article from Healthline, here are some of the potential benefits of steroids:
- increases in muscle tissue due to enhanced protein synthesis
- decreases body fat percentage
- increases muscle strength and power
- enhances recovery from workouts and injury
- improves the bone mineral density
- increases muscle endurance
- increases red blood cell production
Athletes are the top users of this substance for various benefits that this gives to their body. Although diet and conditioning exercise contribute a lot to the outcome of their performance, some athletes seek the help of the said substance. This serves as their performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). AAS are proven to increase muscle mass which will lead to increased speed and power output, according to a study.
Aside from this, AAS are used by athletes who are competing for bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, and powerlifting as an agent to increase their strength. Athletes in these categories sometimes try the strategy called “stacking”. It is a term for mixing different kinds of AAS while others are using other types of synthetic hormones, such as growth hormone and insulin.
This substance is also being used for patients with muscle-wasting diseases such as AIDS, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, and kidney and liver disease. AAS serves as an aid to preserve the muscles of patients with the aforementioned diseases. Steroids can improve therapeutic outcomes and extend the lifespan in these kinds of illnesses.
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