An alarming new study out of the Yale School of Medicine shows (for the first time) that elevated testosterone levels due to steroid use kills brain cells. 

Tests on brain cells in lab dishes showed that while a little of the male hormone is good, too much of it causes cells to self-destruct in a process similar to that see in brain illnesses such as Alzheimer's...

..."These effects of testosterone on neurons will have long-term effects on function," they wrote...

...The cells divide via a process called apoptosis, also known as cell suicide or programmed cell death.

   In other words, taking large doses of androgens, or steroids, to increase muscle mass or for replacement therapy causes catastrophic loss of brain cells.  When you lose brain cells you lose function, resulting in long-term effects on behavior, mood, and memory.

    The National Institute on Drug Abuse is devoted to educating our society on the adverse side effects of anabolic steroids, several of which are irreversible.

The major side effects from abusing anabolic steroids can include liver tumors and cancer, jaundice (yellowish pigmentation of skin, tissues, and body fluids), fluid retention, high blood pressure, increases in LDL (bad cholesterol), and decreases in HDL (good cholesterol).  Other side effects include kidney tumors, severe acne, and trembling.

   Also, men can expect shrunken testicles, infertility, breast development, and increased risk of prostate cancer.  Women will expect facial hair, baldness, deepening of the voice, lack of the menstrual cycle and an enlarged clitoris.  Ewe!

   My friend Karen De Coster recently posted a fine blog depicting a few of these beings.  Brain cell death or dementia may be causing these women to suffer a peculiar condition known as: "biggerexia."

   All this hype is targeting illegal steroids.  But, there is also widespread use of over-the-counter (legal) anabolic steroids,  referred to as steroidal supplements.  These, seemingly harmless, supplements work by increasing testosterone and blocking estrogen production in the body and come with a multitude of adverse side effects.  

   Please read my article, "Intensity", and learn how to naturally boost hormone production  in your body.

   I prefer to avoid supplements in an effort to protect my liver and kidney health.  I am proud that I take only a multi-vitamin, calcium + D, fish oil supplement, and one scoop of whey protein each day.  I attribute my success to whole foods (closest to their natural state), plenty of water, and highly effective workouts that stimulate my physical and mental performance.

   If you are going to take supplements, as I have experimented with several myself, do your homework.  If someone says you should take something...thank them kindly for the advise and go home to Google it.  Research the supplement, read reviews, and gain knowledge so that you can make an educated decision of whether the product is right for you or not.