Steroids Speech

Intro

In 1936 a scientist named Ruzika was the first ever to make a pure form of testosterone from cholesterol (steroid.com). It is then that steroids emerged as a performance enhancing drug. I am pretty sure we all have pre conceived ideas and notions about steroids and the people that use them. Today I would like to talk to you all about the fact and fiction of steroid usage. 1st I would like to talk about the History of steroids, 2nd the types of steroids, 3rd anabolic and androgenic affects, and 4th laws and regulations surrounding steroids. Now let's get pumped and look at some history.

History

In 1936 a scientist named Ruzicka synthesized the compound testosterone from cholesterol, as did two other scientists, Butenandt and Hanisch (steroid.com). Testosterone was, of course, the first anabolic steroid ever created. In 1967, the International Olympic Council banned the use of anabolic steroids and by the mid 1970Ò's most major sporting organizations had also banned them. In the 80s testosterone was a prescription drug. Media reports began to associate steroids with performance enhancing efforts in the context of competitive sports. Steroids were decried as cheating to gain an unfair advantage. It then was proposed in the media that steroid abuse had trickled down to high school boys. In 1988 there was a Canadian sprinter named Ben Johnson who was stripped of his Olympic gold medal for testing positive for the Steroid Stanozol. Stanozol is an oral steroid, but what other types of steroids are there? Let's take a look.

Types of steroids

There are two way to take steroids, either orally or by injection. In a seminar I listened to called Pumped, it was said in order for oral steroids to withstand the breakdown from the liver the drug is modified by alkylation beforehand. Alkylation is the addition of a carbon atom or atoms at the alpha position of the number 17 carbon atom. They are also known as C-17 steroids. C-17 steroids are alpha alkylated steroids. The Liver is stressed by these types of steroids very heavily. Injectable steroids are usually injected into a muscle and not a vein. Most injectables go through a process called esterification. Esterification is the addition of carboxylic acids to the 17-beta hydroxyl group of the testosterone molecule. These esters allow the testosterone to be released more gradually from the muscle. This is to maximize the anabolic effects and minimize potential adverse affects. Most steroid users will cycle their steroid use, Alternating periods of steroid and steroid free training. This allows the body to rid itself of steroids and begin normal testosterone production again.

Anabolic & Androgenic

Steroids are both anabolic and androgenic. The effect that body builders and athletes are looking for are androgenic. Androgenic means to build muscle and strength. Anabolic steroids help synthesize steroids and