Steroids are
derived from male hormones, primarily testosterone. As derivatives of
testosterone,
steroids work by mimicking the role of endogenous testosterone in the
human body.
Steroids are
commonly taken in oral or injectable versions. Steroids start to work
once they enter the circulation; steroids are distributed in different
organs in the body, including the muscle. Steroids work for improved
muscle mass via two mechanisms – production of proteins and prevention
of the effects of cortisol on muscle tissue. These two mechanisms of
steroids work positively for the muscle mass and strength gains.
Proteins are the building blocks of
muscles
– they facilitate muscle growth as well as muscle repair. This means
that if you have improved protein production with the help of steroids
bodybuilding is maximized.
Steroids also work to achieve anti-catabolism. Steroids sort of
deactivate cortisol, the hormone responsible for the breakdown of
proteins and amino acids to be used for energy source by the body for
its activities.
Steroids also
work through other means in promoting ideal
bodybuilding.
Steroids induce cell
differentiation. Cell differentiation is the mechanism by
which less specialized cells become specialized to perform specific
functions in different tissues in organs. In the case of steroids, cell
differentiation works for bodybuilding by redirecting increase of the
number of cells that develop into fat-storage cells to muscle cells.