It is usual that when thinking of a gym, the first image that comes to mind is that of a bodybuilder. They are the classic image of this type of sports centers, although over time they have remained a minority of users. The ignorance of beginner athletes leads to misunderstandings such as that exercising with weights will make our muscles grow exorbitantly. The mistake is in the cliché that we associate bodybuilders with strength training.
To reach these volume levels it is necessary to take supplements, with a normal and balanced diet it is highly difficult to see ourselves as the Hulk. Among these supplements are anabolic steroids, a real danger to health if you do not consume them responsibly.
What are steroids and for what purpose were they created?
Anabolic steroids were created at the end of the XNUMXs, with the aim of treating hypogonadism (a situation in which the testicles do not produce enough testosterone for normal growth, development, and sexual function). It only had a medical use and, sometimes, specialists also treated the delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and wasting of the body that cause diseases like HIV.
At the same time that steroids were used for medicinal purposes, scientists discovered that they also could help muscle growth. So bodybuilders and weightlifters started consuming it to notice results quickly. Over time, athletes from other sports also joined.
Why is this supplement abused?
It is a difficult question to answer, since each consumer has their own reasons.
Some decide to exceed the consumption of steroids in order to improve performance in sport. Surely you remember well-known cases of athletes who have been disqualified for steroid use, right? Doping in sport is strictly monitored, which is why less than 6% of athletes choose to take this supplement. Of course, taking substances that help improve performance is something current. Constantly new drugs emerge that are barely detected in drug tests, so some decide to take a risk knowing that in the future it may come against them.
Better known is the reason for its consumption to increase muscle or reduce body fat. Mostly, these types of consumers suffer muscle dysmorphia or, what is the same, they have a distorted vision of their body. Men tend to feel weak and inferior and women fat and flaccid, even though they are muscular and thin.
What risks does its consumption produce in our body?
The College of Pharmacists of Seville has perfectly summarized the risks of taking steroids, in a non-medicinal way.
Is it really worth reaching hypertrophy that affects health?