Anabolic – Steroids

Definition of Steroid :

Steroid: A general class of chemical substances that are structurally related to one another and share the same chemical skeleton (a tetracyclic cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene skeleton).

Many hormones, body constituents, and drugs are steroids. Thus, the term steroid may carry many meanings. For example, steroids may refer to the corticosteroid drugs such as prednisone used to reduce swelling, pain, and other symptoms of inflammation. Vitamin D is a steroid, too, one that is necessary to normal health. The male hormone testosterone and its derivatives are steroids with anabolic effects that can be used medically (or illicitly) to build up muscle mass.

Cholesterol is yet again another steroid. In fact, the word steroid was coined in 1926 to refer to compounds like the sterols (as in cholesterol).

What do they look like ?

Steroids come in tablets or liquid form.

How Do Anabolic Steroids Work ?

Anabolic steroids stimulate muscle tissue to grow and “bulk up” in response to training by mimicking the effect of naturally produced testosterone on the body. Anabolic steroids can remain in the body anywhere from a couple of days to about a year. Steroids have become popular because they may improve endurance, strength, and muscle mass. However, research has not shown that steroids improve skill, agility, or athletic performance.