|
Written by Dan Gwartney, MD
|
|
Tuesday, 02 June 2009 |
From time to time, a "new" steroid emerges and gains great
attention. Bodybuilders eagerly anticipate adding a new weapon to their
chemical arsenal, hoping the newly modified androgen will somehow allow
them to break personal records and pack an extra inch into their
shirtsleeves. It's important to put aside the emotional reaction that
accompanies any novel introduction and evaluate these "new" entries on
a more objective basis.
There truly has not been much in the way of novel steroids in the last
three decades, as the existing drugs appear to cover all the bases
therapeutically; the number of treatments using anabolic steroids has
decreased; the public stigma and increased regulation hinders business
growth; and the drugs are no longer protected by patents, making them
less profitable. Only recently has the public become aware of an
underground research and development presence within the black market
serving professional and Olympic athletes.1,2 Unfortunately, the
primary aim of these new steroids is to avoid detection rather than
improve the safety or efficacy of the drugs.
|
|
Read more...
|