Written by Steve Blechman and Thomas Fahey, EdD
10 October 2006

  Testosterone Supplements Equally Effective in Young and Old

Blood testosterone levels determine that rate at which muscles can increase in size. Testosterone and biologically active free testosterone decrease with age, so young and old men may react differently to the hormone. Dr. Shalender Bhasin and colleagues from the Drew University of Medicine in Los Angeles found no age differences in muscle changes in response to varying doses of testosterone (25, 50, 125, 300 and 600 milligrams testosterone enanthate per week for 20 weeks). Older men experienced more side effects than younger men when taking higher doses of testosterone, including increased hematocrit (percent cells in the blood, which increases risk of stroke), edema (swelling), decreased HDL (HDL protects against heart disease) and prostate enlargement. There were no changes in mood (i.e., "roid rage") in either group. This study, along with more than 15 others published by this group since 1996, showed that testosterone supplements had only minor side effects, which occur mainly at higher doses. In older men, a dose of 125 milligrams of testosterone per week provided the best balance between benefits and side effects. In young men, no serious side effects were reported even at the highest dose of 600 milligrams per week. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 90: 678-688, 2005)

 

Beating the Drug Police

"Doping control is little more than a cat and mouse game between the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and athletes. Top athletes hire doctors and biochemists to help them beat the tests, while the IOC develops new tests to catch people using the latest performance-enhancing drug. Drugs and the help of medical professionals cost a lot of money, but you have to spend it to stay in the game. You can't be competitive in world-class or professional sports without taking drugs." This statement by an Olympic athlete mirrors the opinion of Dr. David Black, director a lab that tests college teams. Athletes with money and a little knowledge can beat the tests. They dilute the sample or take masking agents so banned substances won't show up in the urine. Some use testosterone creams that build muscle, but clear the body rapidly and can't be detected more than 12 hours after use of the drug. Sophisticated athletes use designer drugs formulated to avoid detection. Other athletes use someone else's urine. Dr. Black said the key to catching drug users is to cut down the time between the announcement and administration of the test. Determined and well-funded athletes will always find ways to beat the tests. (New York Post, Feb. 17, 2005)

 

Cocaine Causes Heart Damage

One in four people will use illegal recreational drugs in their lifetime. Drug use is a weekend ritual for millions of Americans. While most people are well aware of the psychological effects of these drugs, they are less clear about how they impact their health. Cocaine increases the size of the heart, which raises the risk of cardiac arrest and sudden death. The drug impairs communication between cells, restricts blood flow to the heart and increases blood pressure. Cocaine can cause a heart attack by inducing cramping in coronary arteries supplying the heart and promoting atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).  Combining cocaine with morphine or heroin can cause a rebound depression of the system than can induce unconsciousness. Multiple drug use can have devastating effects on the heart and circulation. (American Heart Association Annual Meeting, Nov. 2004; abstract 2805)

 

How Dangerous are Steroids?

The media puts anabolic steroids in the same class as heroin and crack and implies that taking the drugs results in automatic success in sports. Sports scientists aren't much better; they use only selective evidence to show that steroids are dangerous and cite random observations for evidence of adverse side effects. On the other hand, they require strictly controlled studies for evidence that the drugs boost performance. Swedish researchers summarized population, clinical and experimental studies dealing with anabolic steroids. They showed the usual politically correct bias when discussing these drugs. Widespread use of steroids began in the 1960s. Even then, health experts warned of dire consequences from taking the drugs that would result in premature deaths of legions of bodybuilders and power athletes. Millions of people have used steroids since then- some continuously for many years. Yet, no well-controlled population study has shown that steroids increase the risk of premature death from heart disease, cancer, automobile accidents, dementia or any other condition linked to the drugs. Steroids trigger changes in blood fats (mainly reduced HDL) and aggressiveness, but no population (epidemiological) study has linked steroid use with heart attack or psychosis (severe mental illness). They concluded their review by saying the physical and psychiatric adverse drug reactions were certain, yet provided little or no evidence for their statements. Scientists can't have it both ways. They must look at the pluses and minuses of these drugs objectively. Political correctness has no place in science. (Fund Clin Pharmacol, 19: 27-44, 2004)

 

Steroids Linked to Bleeding in the Brain

A subdural hematoma is a semi-clotted mass of blood in the brain caused by injury and bleeding. Lebanese researchers reported the case of two young weightlifters (32 and 24 years old) who used anabolic steroids and developed this injury. They concluded that anabolic steroids might weaken blood vessels and predispose one to bleeding, even in the absence of head injury. This is another example of using selected and circumstantial evidence to damn these drugs. Lifting weights can increase systolic blood pressure to as much as 480 mm Hg (120 is normal). Blood pressure increases in response to the absolute load. A stronger person who can lift more weight will also generate greater arterial pressures during maximal lifts. It's reasonable to suppose that stronger, more serious athletes are more likely to use anabolic steroids than casual weight trainers. These people will also be more susceptible to blood vessel injuries because they lift more weight than most people. The brain injury in these cases may also be explained by the intensity of training rather than the use of anabolic steroids. (Acta Neurochir (Vienna),147: 85-88, 2005)

 

Drug Police Working on GH Test

Olympic and some professional athletes are subject to random drug tests. They risk detection if they use banned drugs that stay in the body for more than a few days. So, many athletes use short-acting drugs like testosterone creams, undetectable drugs, or legal supplements like creatine or caffeine. Growth hormone is very popular with athletes because it builds muscle, cuts fat and is undetectable. Australian and European scientists are working on a blood test to detect GH. Their main problem is that GH is produced naturally and can increase by 300-400 percent in response to exercise, emotional stress and diet. Blood samples from 813 elite athletes representing 15 sports taken immediately after international competitions showed that 41 percent had abnormally high levels of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor). IGF-1 is a potent muscle growth factor that's triggered by growth hormone. This study showed it's possible to detect growth hormone use in athletes. They are working to establish normal age-related changes and variations in IGF-1 in response to exercise, stress and diet. Also, they need to determine how long IGF-1 remains elevated after taking GH. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 90: 641-649, 2005).

 

New "Designer" Steroid Found

The BALCO Scandal was just the tip of the iceberg. Canadian customs authorities confiscated an oily substance from an Olympian sprinter that turned out to be a "designer" steroid identified as desoxy-methyl-testosterone (DMT). There was no link between DMT and BALCO. The finding confirmed what insiders already knew: Many labs around the world synthesize effective, but currently undetectable, performance-enhancing drugs for athletes. The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) can keep samples for up to eight years, but usually disposes of them after four months because of the expense of storing them. WADA focuses most of their resources on testing for known drugs. Most athletes take drugs during the off-season and stop using them prior to competition. Random, out-of-season drug testing has proven the most effective way to deter drug use in sports, but keeping track of elite athletes in more than 100 countries around the world is difficult and expensive. (New Scientist, Feb. 12, 2005)

 

WADA Funds Gene Testing Research

"Gene doping" involves transferring entire cells that have not been genetically modified into tissue via harmless viruses in the hope of improving the tissue's function. Scientists are in the early stages of developing gene-altering therapies to fight diseases. Many disease-fighting gene therapies can potentially improve athletic performance. For example, altered genes that improve oxygen supply to people with lung disease can also boost endurance in cyclists competing in the Tour de France. Increasing production of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in a bodybuilder could produce even bigger, stronger  and more impressive athletes than we have now. Scientists have increased IGF-1 levels in rats and cattle using gene transfer techniques, so it's likely athletes will use them by the 2008 Olympics. Gene doping may be more hype than substance. Sport genetics guru Dr. Miguel Rivera summed it up when he said, "Sports genetics is a new field. We are as close to meaningful gene manipulation in athletes as we are to putting a manned spacecraft on Mars. But, understanding genes that control muscle growth, endurance, speed, strength and fat will make a difference in sports. As we identify genes that influence performance, it is a simple matter to check for the existence of these genes when identifying athletic talent." The World Anti Doping Agency isn't taking any chances and has funded a $400,000 three-year project to develop tests to detect gene transfer methods that boost IGF-1 production. As with the proposed growth hormone test, the answer may be as simple as detecting IGF-1 levels that are significantly above normal. (New Scientist, Dec. 11, 2004)

 

Steroid +Appetite Booster Helps HIV-Infected Men Gain Weight

HIV infections cause gradual muscle wasting and weight loss that can lead to premature death, acceleration of disease, loss of strength and endurance, accidents and back pain. Combating malnutrition and muscle wasting can improve the quality of life and increase the lifespan of HIV patients. Growth hormone and testosterone are often used to treat physical deterioration in these people. Spanish researchers found that combining an anabolic steroid (nandrolone decanoate, 100 milligrams every 15 days; "Deca") with megestrol acetate (an appetite stimulating drug; 400 milligrams per day) increased weight (26 pounds), skinfold thickness, upper arm size (one inch), grip strength (18 percent), quality of life and fat-free mass (11 pounds). Side effects were small and temporary. Combining an anabolic steroid and appetite booster increased weight, muscle mass, strength and quality of life in HIV-infected men previously suffering from extreme weight loss. (Nutr Clin Pract, 20: 93-97, 2005)

 

Sudafed Removes Pseudoephedrine to Fight Meth Chemists

Cocaine, crack and heroin dealers depend on farmers overseas to grow the crops, foreign chemists to make drugs from the plants and couriers to smuggle the drugs from South America or Asia into the U.S. The process is profitable, but extremely dangerous. Kitchen labs convert common ingredients into easy-to-make and extremely profitable methamphetamine. Meth dealers only need to go to the local drug store or pharmacy and purchase over-the-counter cold or allergy remedies containing pseudoephedrine and consult the Internet for cookbook recipes for making the drug. Pfizer, the maker of Sudafed, introduced Sudafed PE that contains phenylephrine instead of pseudoephedrine. They will continue to market the old Sudafed. The company hopes the new product will cut down on meth production. Methamphetamines are a serious problem, particularly in California and the Midwest. (Associated Press, Dec. 22, 2004)

 

 

Methamphetamine Bad for the Heart

Methamphetamine will soon pass cocaine as America's favorite hard drug. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency broke up more than 10,000 meth labs last year compared to 8,000 in 1999. Quest Diagnostics- the largest workplace drug- testing company in America- reported that positive tests for meth increased by 68 percent last year. Meth has serious side effects that include cardiac arrest, addiction, psychosis, loss of brain function, extreme weight loss, accident proneness and violent behavior. It's also linked to heart failure and sudden cardiac death. In heart failure, the heart cannot pump the blood delivered to it. University of California, Davis, researchers studied the charts of hospital patients who used amphetamines and were admitted to the hospital for heart failure. Almost none of the patients showed enlarged hearts. Rather, the methamphetamines "poisoned" the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) and severely disrupted its function. Most of the patients were men (77 percent), smoked cigarettes (81 percent) and used the drug for an average of three years. Meth is bad news and is a major public health problem. (American Heart Association Annual Meeting, Nov., 2004; abstract 1746)

 

Blocking Testosterone Enzyme Protects Prostate

Testosterone is broken down to dehydrotestosterone (DHT) in the prostate by an enzyme called 5a-reductase. High levels of DHT cause prostate enlargement and may trigger prostate cancer. Muscle and bone contain little of the 5a-reductase enzyme and respond to testosterone rather than DHT. Reduced testosterone levels with age decrease muscle and bone mass, strength, power, aggressiveness, mental function and quality of life. Aging men gain substantial improvement in strength and muscle mass from taking large doses of testosterone (600 milloigrams per week), but not from lower doses (100 milligrams per week, or less). Physicians are reluctant to prescribe high doses of testosterone because of dangers to the prostate. University of Florida researchers implanted testosterone pellets in rats and treated them with a drug called MK-434, which blocks the 5a-reductase enzyme. MK-434 blocked DHT production in the prostate- preventing prostate enlargement- but did not interfere with positive changes from the testosterone therapy in bone, muscle and fat. This study raised the possibility of aging men benefiting from large doses of testosterone without increasing the risk of prostate enlargement and cancer. The findings are also interesting to bodybuilders and power athletes, who often take large doses of testosterone and are prone to prostate problems. (Am J Physiol Endrocrinol Metab, 288: E222-E227, 2005)

 

Creatine Prevents Muscle Wasting During Immobilization

If you've ever broken an arm or leg bone, you know how fast muscles waste away (atrophy) while the limb is immobilized in a cast. Recovery is often long and difficult because you have to rehabilitate the muscles and joints after the broken bone has healed. Creatine supplements may speed the rehab process. Brazilian scientists found that supplementing creatine prevented muscle wasting in the legs of immobilized rats and increased muscle creatine phosphate (an important muscle energy source) levels by 18 to 25 percent. Creatine prevents muscle loss during immobilization by promoting growth of structures called satellite cells, which are important for protein synthesis. (Clin Nutr, 23: 1176-1183, 2004)

 

 Green Tea Extract Fights Fat

Green tea looks like the real deal for fighting fat. A chemical in the tea called catechins helps people lose weight by improving the metabolism of carbohydrates, preventing fat deposition and promoting heat loss (thermogenesis). A Japanese study showed that drinking a bottle of oolong tea per day containing 690 milligrams of catechins (green tea extract) for 12 weeks lost bodyweight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat mass and surface fat area compared to a group that drank a daily bottle of oolong tea containing 22 milligrams of catechins. Subjects taking the green tea extract lost more than three pounds of total body fat and seven inches of surface fat. Taking green tea extract may be an effective way to lose pounds and inches. It's no magic bullet for weight loss, but every little bit helps. (Am J Clin Nut, 81: 122-129, 2005)

 

Timed Protein Supplements Build Muscle

Most muscle physiologists believe bodybuilders and power athletes need only slightly more protein than the average person. Timing of the protein intake may be very important. Danish and Dutch scientists found that feeding a protein supplement (25 grams) before and after a workout increased the size of fast-and slow-twitch muscle fibers (26 and 18 percent, respectively), while feeding a carbohydrate supplement caused no change in muscle fiber area during a 14-week study. We don't have much faith in the results of this study because muscle size did not increase in the carbohydrate group following 14 weeks of weight training. We can infer from these results that the subjects were not training very hard. The fact that the protein supplemented group experienced large increases in muscle size from a minimal training program suggests that taking protein supplements before or after bodybuilding builds muscle. (Metabolism Clin Exper, 54: 151-156, 2004)

 

Protein Supplements Increase Myosin in Bodybuilders

Myosin causes contraction in muscles and it makes up about 30 percent of the proteins found in muscle. Researchers from Baylor University reviewed the effects of protein supplements and weight training on myosin. Muscle tension and amino acid availability are critical for promoting muscle hypertrophy, particularly in myosin. Increasing protein intake before and after weight training increases protein synthesis and breakdown (protein turnover). Protein intake increases by 100 percent, while breakdown increases by only 50 percent, so the overall effect on muscle is anabolic (tissue building). Supplying adequate protein in the diet- particularly before and after training- is important for promoting muscle growth and strength. (J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 1: 27-34, 2004)

 

Is Green Tea Extract a Performance Booster?

Green tea extract is a proven fat-fighter. It works by speeding metabolism and improving carbohydrate metabolism. Japanese researchers found that it also improved swimming performance eight to 24 percent in rats fed the supplement for 10 weeks. The rats also lost body fat and increased fat use during exercise. The improvement in swimming endurance is impressive because the supplement caused fat loss, which results in a loss of buoyancy and makes swimming more difficult. While many studies have shown the fat-fighting properties of green tea extract, no human study has shown a positive effect on endurance. (Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 288: 708-715, 2005)

 

DHEA Fights Depression

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a popular supplement with middle-age and older adults who take it to increase muscle mass and boost sex drive. It's produced naturally in the adrenal glands, but decreases gradually with age- particularly in emotionally depressed patients. It is broken down (metabolized) to testosterone and estrogen, but also has physiological effects of its own. Researchers from the National Institutes of Mental Health found that DHEA supplements reduced major and minor depression and improved sexual performance in more than half of middle-aged men and women taking it during a six-week study. It did not work in all people, but it may be appropriate for those who do not like to take prescription medication. (Arch Gen Psychiatry, 62: 154-162, 2005)

 

NAC Prevents Immune Cell Destruction

The immune system is the ultimate limiting factor of performance. People improve fitness or muscle size by pushing the body harder than before. Little improvements occur when the stresses of exercise are small. Likewise, too much stress (overtraining) causes injury and depresses the immune system, which makes you get sick easily. Intense training sometimes causes depression of important immune cells called leukocytes. Destructive chemicals called free radicals- produced naturally during metabolism- cause cell damage and depression of the immune system. Canadian scientists found that giving the antioxidant NAC (N-acetyl-L-cysteine) to intensely-training mice prevented destruction of immune cells. Nutrition is an important part of preventing overtraining and supporting optimal immune function during intense training. (Med Sci Sports Exerc, 37: 53-56, 2005)

 

Red Maca Reduces Prostate Size

Vast wilderness areas, such as the Amazon, contain plants and herbs that can contribute to health and well-being. For centuries, native populations have used some of these plants as folk medicine. Cruciferous plants have flowers with four petals formed in the shape of a cross and contain long narrow seeds. The maca plant is a crucifer that grows in the highlands of Peru and is known to retard and/or promote cell growth, depending upon circumstance. Varieties include the red, yellow and black maca. Peruvian scientists found that an extract of the red maca plant reduced prostate size in mice. Red maca also reduced prostate weight in animals given injections of testosterone, which makes this supplement potentially valuable to bodybuilders. (Reproduct Biol Endocrinol, 3: 2005; published on-line)

 

L-Arginine Lowers Blood Pressure, Reduces Inflammation

The endothelium- the cells lining the blood vessels- is critical for regulating blood pressure and blood flow. Healthy endothelial cells protect against heart attack and stroke and are critical for maintaining a high-energy, vital metabolism. Disease or injuries to these cells cause inflammation that's an important marker of cardiovascular disease. Stress and high cholesterol promote inflammation. Researchers from Penn State University found that oral L-arginine supplements lowered blood pressure and homocysteine in middle- aged men with high cholesterol who were subjected to cold stress. L-arginine supplements may be a useful for lowering blood pressure and inflammation in the cells lining the bloodstream. (J Nutr, 135: 212-217, 2005)

 

Creatine Improves Carb Metabolism in Muscle

Most bodybuilders know creatine monohydrate supplements increase muscle mass, strength and some types of physical performance. The supplement is proving extremely versatile. It has proved effective for preventing muscular deterioration with age, slowing deterioration in several degenerative diseases, increasing mental function and speeding recovery following injury and immobilization. Researchers from St Louis University found that creatine improved carbohydrate metabolism in the muscles of rats. Creatine increased levels of a glucose (sugar) transporting chemical called GLUT4, which speeds the movement of carbs into the cells. We are only just starting to scratch the surface regarding the beneficial effects of this supplement. (Am J Endrocrinol Metab, 288: E347-E352, 2004)

 

Protein Hydrolysates are Valuable in Sports Drinks

Amino acid availability is critical in athletes and active people for speeding protein synthesis and repair after exercise and maintaining constant blood sugar levels (making new blood sugar from amino acids in the liver). Sports nutrition expert Anssi Manninen reviewed the literature on protein hydrolysates in sports. Proteins can be broken down in reactions involving water that produce small packets of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) called peptides. These peptides are absorbed easily in the gut. Also, they promote insulin action, which improves the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Dr. Manninen speculated that protein hydrolysates (small packets of amino acids) are potentially valuable in sports drinks, but we need more research to help us gauge their effectiveness for promoting muscle hypertrophy and recovery from exercise. (J Sports Sci Med, 3: 60-63, 2004)

 

Andro Boosts Strength and Muscle Mass

Last year, androstenedione (andro) and related compounds were classified as anabolic steroids by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and banned for sale as supplements. The ruling was curious because no study showed that andro increased muscle mass, strength or athletic performance. That's changed. Researchers, including Drs. Shalender Bhasin and Tom Storer from the Drew Medical College in Los Angeles, found that men with low blood testosterone who took 1,500 milligrams of andro per day for 12 weeks increased strength (10 pounds in the bench press; 40 pounds in the leg press) and muscle mass (nearly four pounds in fat-free mass) without weight training. There were side effects: Estrogen levels increased, while HDL levels (good cholesterol) decreased. While andro caused improvements in muscle function, they were less than those triggered by smaller doses of testosterone. In an editorial in the same issue of the journal, the Endocrine Society applauded the FDA's stand banning andro and called for similar bans on DHEA and progestin. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 90: 855-863, 2005)