Anabolic steroids are a class of steroid hormones that are based on testosterone. Also known as anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) or colloquially as "steroids", these drugs mimic the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone in the body. The use of AAS is related to an increase in protein synthesis, a process in which body cells manufacture proteins, within the body cells to build up cellular tissue, especially in the muscles. These drugs have virilizing and androgenic properties that stimulate the development and maintenance of masculine features like growth of body hair and vocal cords.

While these drugs were first synthesized in the year 1930, these days they are used under medical supervision for stimulating the growth of bones and improving appetite, as well as inducing male puberty and treating chronic wasting conditions. It is worthwhile to note that the use of AAS in combination with a proper bodybuilding diet and exercises can easily lead to muscle strength and performance gains. AAS use is also related to dramatic enhancements in terms of stamina, muscle function, muscle size, muscle definition, red blood cell count and nitrogen retention; in addition, they are used to gain or lose body weight.

AAS are commonly available and administered in four common forms: oral pills, skin patches, injectable, and creams or gels for topical application. It is important to note that the traditional administration routes don't have differential effects on efficiency of the drug, though some orals may lead to liver damage in rare cases.

Generally, all water-based and oil-based anabolics should be taken using intramuscular injections, and the common sites for administering intramuscular injections are the deltoid region of the arm (shoulder), the buttock, and the lateral side of the thigh. Other injection sites that may be considered by you could include Biceps, Lats, Pectorals, Quadriceps, Traps, and Calves.

AAS, as fat-soluble hormones, are membrane-permeable and have the potential of influencing the nucleus of cells by direction actions and their pharmacodynamic action gets initiated when membrane of the target cell is penetrated by the exogenous hormone and bind to an androgen receptor that is located in cytoplasm of the specific cell. After this, the compound hormone-receptor gets diffused into the nucleus after which it either activates processes that transmit signals to other parts of the cells or alter the expression of genes.

These drugs increase the production of proteins within the body and are highly effective at reducing recovery time by inhibiting the effects of cortisol, the stress hormone, on muscle tissues that further leads to the reduction of muscle catabolism. In addition to that, they have the ability to affect a number of cells that get developed into fat-storage cells and may even be used for decreasing body fat by inducing an increase of basal metabolic rate (BMR).

Anabolic Androgenic steroids are routinely prescribed by medical practitioners across the world to provide relief to patients suffering with health conditions such as hypoplastic anemia, aplastic anemia, and growth failure. Besides this, they induce male puberty, prevent bone loss in elderly men, stimulate lean body mass, improve libido for elderly males, and help with gender identity disorders. They drugs are also used for promoting muscle deposition after surgery, radiation therapy, burns, and aging-related sarcopenia (muscle wasting).

AAS are commonly used by amateur and professional sportsmen and others for increasing weight and promoting fat-free mass. These drugs are also used to improve the levels of naturally-producing testosterone and promoting a sense of well being, physical performance and improve body composition. AAS are also used to increase muscle and bone mass, as well as the growth of facial hair and primary male sexual characteristics. The use of these drugs increases the count of red blood cells and treats deficiency of testosterone.

The use of anabolics is also linked with improvements in the context of muscle morphology and biochemistry in human beings. Moreover, the use of AAS enhances the number of muscle fibers and average muscle fiber size (in trapezius muscle).

Anabolic Steroid Use by Students 2008 Monitoring and Future Survey

When used indiscriminately or in absence (or contravention) of medical advice or of low grade, steroids can cause side effects that may be mild or severe (reversible or irreversible) in nature. Some of the possible side effects associated with abuse include acne, cysts, oily skin, gynecomastia, increased aggression, heart problems, liver damage, kidney damage, growth of body hair and voice deepening in women, shrinking of testicles in men, high blood pressure, reduced sperm count, infertility, enlargement of the clitoris, increased risk for prostate cancer, increases in LDL (bad cholesterol), decrease in HDL (good cholesterol), trembling, jaundice, menstrual irregularities, male pattern baldness, and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis when administered using shared needles.

AAS should only be used legally and only after a qualified medical practitioner has recommended their use after thoroughly evaluating medical history and reports on a patient. The dosages and the duration of use should be in strict accordance with medical recommendations. In case any abnormality is experienced after use, the therapy should be stopped immediately and the advice of a doctor should be sought without any delay.

Jay Cutler wins the 2006 Mr. Olympia
Written by Team FLEX.

Jay won and Ronnie lost. That sums up the 2006 Mr. Olympia. In a historic upset, the reigning Mr. Olympia, Ronnie Coleman, was defeated on stage by his fiercest rival, Jay Cutler. It's an occurrence that has not happened since 1984 when Lee Haney won his first Mr. Olympia when he defeated the current champion, Samir Bannout.

RESULTS:
Place Name Country 1+2 3 4 Total
1 Jay Cutler USA 12 5 5 22
2 Ronnie Coleman USA 18 10 10 38
3 Victor Martinez Dominican Republic 34 16 16 66
4 Dexter Jackson USA 36 20 19 75
5 Melvin Anthony USA 50 25 26 101
6 Gustavo Badell Puerto Rico 62 30 29 121
7 Toney Freeman USA 68 35 103
8 Markus Ruhl Germany 84 41 125
9 Dennis James USA 96 47 143
10 Günter Schlierkamp Germany 102 54 156
11 Vince Taylor USA 120 50 170
12 Branch Warren USA 114 61 175
13 Johnnie O. Jackson USA 130 67 197
14 Darrem Charles Trinidad & Tobago 148 62 110
15 Troy Alves USA 142 75 217
16 Paco Bautista Spain 160
16 Dennis Wolf Germany 160
16 Rodney St. Cloud USA 160
16 Ronny Rockel Germany 160
16 Mustafa Muhammad Austria 160
16 David Henry USA 160
16 Bill Wilmore USA 160

End of Schering primo? 
Bayer is known for going "legit", stopping sales of 'grey' area products from the companies they buy.
Bayer says it owns enough Schering shares to complete takeover

German chemicals and pharmaceuticals giant Bayer said it now controlled more than 88 percent of stock in rival drug group Schering, for which it had launched a hostile takeover bid.

"The way is now clear for the Bayer Group to acquire Berlin-based pharmaceuticals company Schering AG," it said in a stock market statement. "The attainment of a three-quarters majority was the last remaining condition of the takeover offer."

Management board chairman Werner Wenning invited the remaining Schering stockholders to accept "our attractive offer of 89 euros per share," pointing out that the additional acceptance period runs from June 23 until July 6. READ MORE ABOUT THIS ARTICLE...