The Positive Effects of Steroids - Article Example

Module The Positive Effects of Steroids The article by Mack Le on the Positive Effects of Steroids provides an account of the benefits of steroid use. The article identifies steroids as synthetic or natural compounds that assist in the regulation of various body functions. Some of the positive effects mentioned in the article include enlargement of the muscle mass, fat loss and endurance. The article also posits that steroids aids in decreasing the recovery time for patients, helping in treating various medical conditions and reduction in body weight. Steroid users portray excellent physical performance in sports and athletics. Their physical configuration is also more imposing compared to non-users. Mark Le also affirms that steroids enhance masculinity for those men who might feel overlay feminine. For instance, steroids can enhance the density of both pubic and facial hair as well as deepening of voices. According to the article, uptake of small quantities of steroids can have health benefits such prevention in swelling of internal organs such as kidneys. The article lacks the flexibility component of the argument that links steroid use to many negative impacts to the body. This is because the author only dwells on few negative impacts. Conventional wisdom has it that negative impacts of steroids can only be an issue in case of abuse. This notion ignores the fact that steroids are addictive in nature; implying that abuse is almost inevitable to most users. The negative impacts include heart enlargement, loss of libido, and inhibition of testosterone, cramps and cessation of the menstrual cycle among others. The intent of this essay is to show that steroids have negative impacts on the physical and psychological well-being of a person that outweighs the positive impacts discussed in the article. I have heard it said that steroids can reduce the body weight and enhance muscle development. This makes many people use them in sports to acquire fitness advantage over their opponents. Brink refutes this by reminding people that these chemicals affect all parts of the body over a long time. Some of the long-term effects of steroid use include; weakening of the body’s immune system and impaired reproduction as well as infertility, to some extent. The medical role of steroids, as suggested by Linnaeus, has been eroded by their long-term negative impacts. It is only logical that the positive impacts of steroids use, as asserted in the article, are irrelevant compared to their negative impacts on the body. While the users may gain short-term health gains, they are variably short changing their body health (Kalawaski 13-15). It has become a common practice for people to use steroids and other performance-promoting drugs as a short cut for muscle enlargement and higher endurance. Medical experts are also in agreement that people tend to ignore the chemical contribution of steroid use to the body while laying attention to the short-term gains. The chemical component has far-reaching negative impacts on liver and kidneys. Kalawaski warns that the hormonal imbalance that the drugs cause lasts for several years after a person abandons these drugs. Accumulation of steroids in the body of male users may lead to the enlargement of breasts as steroids aromatizes into estrogen leading to the formation of more feminine features. Additionally, the article failed to warn readers that the aesthetic advantages of the booming voice and increased facial hair is counteracted by the development of greasiness and acne due to the production of testosterone. Presence of steroids in the body is also detrimental owing to the abnormal growth of sex organs. Apart from the negative impacts on the sex life, steroids are also detrimental to the victim’s mental drive and focus. Many psychologists have recently confirmed that steroids have adverse effects to the brain. This ruins the positive impacts indicated the article. The psychological impacts of steroids are manifested in form of severe bouts of anger, rage and depression. According to Jennings, users complain of hallucinations, vomiting and headaches. This shows that users may look healthy on the outside but not so healthy on the inside. There is no need for people to use the drugs to acquire large body sizes that cannot offer internal protection against disease attacks. The adverse impacts of steroids justify nutritionists’ efforts of calling for the banning of these chemicals. Common sense dictates that the illegality of steroids implies that there is no benefit that can be achieved from their use. It would also be unwise for people to inject chemicals purchased from the back alley into their body systems. On the other hand, there is no need for a person to pay fines for use of a chemical that negatively affects their body. However, Mark Le’s view on the benefits of steroids is only applicable if steroids are used according to the medical directives. Steroid use should be guided by medical directives and keenness in noting changes in body activity patterns and behavior. For instance, Jennings posits that too much steroids do not empower an individual in the short term (2). The human body only takes limited amounts of steroids while the rest is converted into estrogen. Although dedicated efforts and perseverance is a necessity in nurturing a well-built body, the body size for those who use steroids is normally larger compared to body builders who do not use steroids. Users should also be wary of enticing and misleading advertisements, and instead focus on expert advice on the use of these products. A reasoning mind should be aware that the sole purpose of most of these advertisements is not ethical; it is purely business. Notable changes in the body characteristics should be brought to the attention of medical practitioners. Most people would agree that illegal markets for steroids should be avoided. With reference to this discussion, it is clear to everyone that steroids should be respected and not abused. In conclusion, then, as I suggested earlier, steroids are detrimental to the body’s health. However, if they must be taken, Mark Le’s benefits can only be achieved through adherence to strict medical guidelines. Works Cited Brink, Will. "Brinkzone". 2000. Web. 21 November, 2012. 1-3. Jennings, Maria. "Steroids.". Mayo Clinic Health Letter. 1999. Web. 21 November, 2012, 1-2. Linnaeus, Tomas. What Are the Benefits of Steroids for Athletes? 2010. Web. 21 November, 2012. Kalawalski, Kathiann M. "Steer Clear of Steroid Abuse." Current Health. 1999, 13-15. Mack Le, Mouse. “Positive Effects of Steroids.” HealthGuidance. 2012. Web. 21 November, 2012. Read More