VirusX said:
The question is where does the term steroid lie? Proformance Enchancing drugs? Protein powder helps regen muscle fiber so is it a "Steroid" Sugar is a perfromance enhancer. Its all about pushing the line further most top sports stars use some sort of "Enhancer"
There is a major difference between steroids and protein powders.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are man-made substances related to male sex hormones. “Anabolic” refers to muscle-building, and “androgenic” refers to increased masculine characteristics. “Steroids” refers to the class of drugs. These drugs are available legally only by prescription, to treat conditions that occur when the body produces abnormally low amounts of testosterone, such as delayed puberty and some types of impotence. They are also prescribed to treat body wasting in patients with AIDS and other diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass. Abuse of anabolic steroids, however, can lead to serious health problems, some irreversible.
Today, athletes and others abuse anabolic steroids to enhance performance and also to improve physical appearance. Anabolic steroids are taken orally or injected, typically in cycles of weeks or months (referred to as “cycling”), rather than continuously. Cycling involves taking multiple doses of steroids over a specific period of time, stopping for a period, and starting again. In addition, users often combine several different types of steroids to maximize their effectiveness while minimizing negative effects (referred to as “stacking”).
As to Protein powders…Protein is a large, complex molecule composed of amino acids. The sequence of the amino acids, and thus the function of the protein, is determined by the sequence of the base pairs in the gene that encodes it. Proteins are essential to the structure, function, and regulation of the body. Examples are hormones, enzymes, and antibodies. Many bodybuilders use Protein to help build muscle in the body.
There is no evidence that in normal healthy individuals, the consumption of a high protein diet is harmful to your health. A protein-rich diet that is also high in saturated fat, is bad for you.
Ephedra was banned due to it being a health risk. Because stupid people cant read and take multiple substances with that in it causeing an OD. Yet if you have a perscription and take something that could be lethal with it and is it banned? To much asprin causes death so do we ban that? No. The goverment and drug companies cant make money from healthy people so they remove the drugs that might help you become healthy. There is no profit for healthy people using drugs.
Wrong… Ephedra was not banned due to “stupid people”. Here is the official release of why the FDA banned Ephedra… The finding is too long so I just pasted the conclusion. The report is quite detailed.
FDA Ephedrine Alkaloids Final Rule Summary
Conclusion
Multiple studies demonstrate that dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids, like other sympathomimetics, raise blood pressure and increase heart rate. These products expose users to several risks, including the consequences of a sustained increase in blood pressure (e.g. serious illnesses or injuries including stroke and heart attack that can result in death). There is also a risk of increased morbidity and mortality from worsened heart failure and pro-arrhythmic effects. Although the pro-arrhythmic effects of these products typically occur only in susceptible individuals, the long-term risks from elevated blood pressure can occur even in nonsusceptible, healthy individuals.
These risks are not outweighed by the known or reasonable likely benefits of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. These products do not provide a meaningful health benefit. The best clinical evidence for a benefit is for weight loss, but even there the evidence supports only a modest short-term weight loss insufficient to positively affect cardiovascular risk factors or health conditions associated with being overweight or obese. Other possible benefits, such as enhanced athletic performance, enhanced energy, or a feeling of alertness, lack scientific support and/or they would provide only temporary benefits that are trivial in comparison to the risks.
Bottom line is something will be done to prevent short cuts... Does it mean its right? No. HGH is an assistant to people with lower hormone problems but can be used as an enhancer which helps alot. If you sat down and said I want to be about 6'1 230 all muscle and you were currently 6'1 180 and you could do it faster using HGH and Protien powder would you use it? Say it trims 3 months off your goal. What then? Waste 3 months?
I'd take the extra three months and do it right. Lee Priest doesn’t seem to have a problem building mass w/o HGH or other steroids. He’s had really great articles in Muscle Building mags that spell out his muscle/strength gain w/o the use of steroids. And so have other Pro athletes. I tried suppliments w/ HGH when I was building and the only thing it did for me was cause sleeplessness, depression and mood swings, and skeletal pain. I got much better results with natural whey protein, creatine, healthy diet and a great multi-vitamin.
I think the INDIVIDUAL should decide for him\herself.
Thats my opinion.
I don’t think that’s right when there is a chance for serious or fatal results from steroids. The average Joe going into a suppliment store doesn’t know what the research shows or the long term effects. They don't know about the cardiac damage, male breast growth, sterility, brain effects, etc. They only know that the person trying to sell them products is saying there is no effects… and that person is trying to make a buck, just like the quacks that prescribed steroids to Pro athletes.
IMO