Bodybuilding is purely a passion which requires heaps of commitment, certitude, and uphill battle. Only people who are highly stubborn and determined can follow those strict diet regimes and arduous workouts.
Let us try and not start this article with a clear statement, “BEWARE. Steroids are heinous.” Rather, let’s begin with getting a proper understanding of what steroids vs. natural is in bodybuilding and how they work.
The Chemistry
We all have a basic concept of steroids being miraculous chemical substances that give us the muscles we wish to have in a short time with a “few” side effects. These drugs used for this specific purpose are called Anabolic Androgen Steroids.
According to Wikipedia, these include natural androgens like testosterone as well as synthetic substances that are structurally related and have similar effects to testosterone. AAS were synthesized in the 1930s, and are now used therapeutically in medicine to stimulate muscle growth and appetite.
How They Work?
It is like the syrups and tablets doctor gives you to increase your appetite if you’re weak or when a nutritionist gives you iron tablets. AAS contains artificial chemicals that induce muscle growth which is why they give you a good amount of muscular weight gain in a small period of time. What they do is that they activate the enzymes that produce proteins (the building block of a cell) and this protein production is increased to a whole new level. The higher the production of protein, the more the tissues. The more the tissues, the more the muscles.
Up till now, it seems all nice and beautiful. But common sense alert! Steroids are definitely not your slaves and are not going to provide protein production in only the parts you want. When there is a lot of muscular production, all muscles and therefore ALL organs are going to grow. Which I hope you know includes your internal systematic organs like your heart and kidneys!
Side Effects of AAS:
Following are the side effects of anabolic steroids vs. natural in bodybuilding:
- Liver disease, such as liver tumors and cysts (because extra cellular production!)
- Heart disease, such as heart attack and stroke
- Alterations in cholesterol and other blood lipids
- Abnormal development of mammary glands in men causing breast enlargement
- Shrinking of testicles
- Low production of sperm in semen
- Psychological effects include mood swings, irritability, aggression, and depression
- High blood pressure
- Kidney diseases
- Stunted growth and height in teens
- Risk of viral or bacterial infections due to unsterile injections
Now, let’s study how natural body building works
I think we all are pretty much aware of the fact that natural processes require more hard work and take more time. Maybe that is the reason people go for artificial means. But one good thing about natural methods is that it is free of all kinds of side effects and you can sleep at night with a feeling of content that you are not causing your own harm.
The Process
Natural bodybuilding is all about nutrition (eating a lot of HEALTHY food that gives you the tissues in the right places) and a hectic workout routine with lesser times between reps. You also have natural body supplements like protein powder, beta alanine, and creatine.
Benefits
The first and foremost benefit of natural bodybuilding is that there are no side effects at all if you carry everything out perfectly and with good knowledge.
Secondly, not only does this give you a great looking body that would make all the girls drool over you, it would ALSO make your bones and joints stronger (which by the way doesn’t happen with steroids and thus creating harmful effects).
Thirdly, in the case of steroids, your body is dependent on the drugs and therefore when you stop, everything else in your body comes to a halt. Whereas natural mechanism is long-lasting, is healthy, and requires a normal amount of check and balance for maintenance.
Last but not the least, as mentioned earlier, is your own satisfaction! You are not causing your own risks! And you can dream to live a life till an old age, have kids (because your sperms are all healthy), remembering your good old young days and share your stories with your grand-children.
So Then, what to Do?
The debate of steroid vs natural has never been won by any party.
It may be more accurate to say that steroids itself does not cause harm to people, abusing them does. If you are that one highly passionate person who is nuts about bodybuilding and is planning to compete at higher levels with people who you know DO intake steroids, you can go and talk to the experts and take limited amounts of steroids. Limited, we repeat, with a promise you will not, no matter what, get addicted. You can go with your natural bodybuilding routine by working your ass off.
It is undeniable that it will consume a lot more time and consume a lot more ATPs but in the end, you can tell everyone that all that hot bod is natural and pure sample of nothing but HARD WORK!
