Steroids and Your Health | Fellowship of Christian Athletes

??Please test your servants for 10 days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink??At the end of the 10 days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who were eating the king?s food.? ? Daniel 1:12, 15

In recent months, steroid use in sports has drawn national attention from President Bush, Congress, league presidents and players? unions. Major League Baseball has been on the hot seat with allegations of steroid abuse by former player Jose Canseco and by testimonies from current superstars admitting the same.

The mantra in today?s sports world is ?bigger, stronger, faster!? And many athletes are willing to try just about anything to improve their performance on the field. But steroid use isn?t limited to the pros. According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 6% of high school students have used steroids.

After listening for months to all of the sports talk shows and commentaries, it?s time to get the straight story on steroids.

What are steroids?

Anabolic steroids are the synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone, which promotes muscle and bone growth. Athletes take them primarily to increase muscle mass and strength.

Can steroids improve sports performance?

While it is true that using steroids cannot improve your agility, skill or cardiovascular endurance, they can dramatically improve your strength, power and ability to recover from injuries. They may not help you hit a baseball, but they may help you hit it farther. However, the health risks associated with steroid use are profound.

What are the behavioral health risks of illegal steroid use?

Abuse of anabolic steroids can cause severe mood swings?from extreme irritability and aggression (?Roid Rage?) to feelings of invincibility to bouts of depression. Depression is common when steroid use is stopped and can lead to withdrawal and even suicide. Research also indicates that steroid use can be a gateway to other drug use.

What are the physical health risks of illegal steroid use?

In both men and women, anabolic steroid use can lead to elevated cholesterol levels, liver tumors and cancer, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes and weakened tendons. The enemy wants you to believe that the only way that you can be strong enough to compete is by using artificial substances and drugs like steroids, even if they may ultimately destroy you. But God blessed Daniel and his friends with exceptional health because they chose to obey Him. Ultimately, steroid use is rooted in selfishness, pride and fear. Choosing God?s way will lead to life and health!

Health Risks

Men	Women
Infertility	Growth of facial and body hair
Baldness	Baldness
Severe acne	Severe acne
Impotence	Menstrual cycle changes
Development of breasts	Breast reduction
Difficult or painful urination	Deepened voice
Adolescents
Stunted Growth ? Teens who abuse steroids before or during the typical growth spurt may never reach their full height. The artificially high hormone levels close the growth plates in the bones signaling the body to stop growing prematurely.

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From Jimmy Page?s column, ?Fit4Ever? in the June, 2009 issue of FCA Magazine.

Source: http://www.fca.org/2013/07/22/steroids-and-your-health/

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