Despite protests and outcries from members of sporting confederations and sportsmen, the relationship between sports and steroids is getting better than ever with more and more sportsmen making use of steroids than in the past.

While some people say that steroids are harmful to the human bodies, the truth is often kept hidden and the truth is that steroids do not bring any side effects with them, unless the steroid user starts abusing steroids.

From Entertainment.howstuffworks.com:

Anabolic Steroids

A steroid is a chemical substance derived from cholesterol. The body has several major steroid hormones — cortisol and testosterone in the male, estrogen and progesterone in the female. Catabolic steroids break down tissue, and anabolic steroids build up tissue. Anabolic steroids build muscle and bone mass primarily by stimulating the muscle and bone cells to make new protein.

Athletes use anabolic steroids because they increase muscle strength by encouraging new muscle growth. Anabolic steroids are similar in structure to the male sex hormone, testosterone, so they enhance male reproductive and secondary sex characteristics (testicle development, hair growth, thickening of the vocal cords). They allow the athlete to train harder and longer at any given period.

Anabolic steroids are mostly testosterone (male sex hormone) and its derivatives. Examples of anabolic steroids include:

* Testosterone
* Dihydrotestosterone
* Androstenedione (Andro)
* Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
* Clostebol
* Nandrolone

By having a close look at the above points, it can be clearly concluded that anabolic steroids are exceptional products that helps in building lean muscle mass besides brining favorable changes in body mass and function.

Tags:  Anabolic steroids, anabolic steroids in sports, Catabolic steroids, Clostebol, Dihydrotestosterone, Examples of anabolic steroids, Nandrolone, steroid abuse, testosterone

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The Michigan Office of Racing Commissioner (ORC) has implemented ban on the use of anabolic setroids to race horses at any pari-mutuel track in the state. Based on the proposals made by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) and several other national horse racing associations, all horses would now be subjected to testing for the presence of anabolic steroids.

The prohibition rule has come into effect from the beginning of this month, but a grace period of 60-days till June 1, 2009 would be given to accused trainers. Only after the date, any test with the presence of anabolic steroids will be subjected to fine and suspension.

The Michigan ORC would follow the nationally accepted residue thresholds for the four recognized anabolic steroids, named Boldenone (Equipoise), Nandrolone, testosterone and metabolite of stanozolol (Winstrol), as suggested by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) and ARCI. Besides these, existence of any other steroid is also strictly prohibited and the presence of more than one of these four banned drugs at any concentration is not permitted too.

Along with these prohibition rules, any sick or injured horse, being treated with anabolic steroids, would not be allowed to race at a Michigan pari-mutuel track until the horse got a clean chit for complete elimination of drug’s remains.

From Steroidology News:

Historically, trainers have given anabolic steroids to race horses for different reasons including increasing appetite and aggressiveness and promoting muscle development. However, recent events have caused the entire horse racing industry to review the use of steroids.

Based upon recommendations made by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) and a number of other national horse racing associations, steroid use is now deemed contrary to the best interests of race horses and horse racing. As such, beginning on April 1, 2009, the presence of anabolic steroids will be prohibited in all horses entered to race at any pari-mutuel track in Michigan. All horses will now be subject to testing for anabolic steroids.

The Michigan ORC will follow the nationally accepted residue thresholds for the four recognized anabolic steroids listed below as set forth by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) and the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI).

Earlier, trainers inject race horses with steroids because of various reasons, including increasing appetite, aggressiveness and muscle development. But, some recent events of steroid abuse formed the basis to review this earlier application policy of steroids in horse racing industry.

Tags:  Anabolic steroids, Association of Racing Commissioners International, Equipoise, Michigan ORC, Nandrolone, Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, steroid abuse, testosterone, Winstrol

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