Facts about supplements for athletes

Dear Dr. Donohue • I am a 16-year-oldhigh-school student taking an anatomy and physiology class. I amresearching the effects of performance-enhancing supplements onteenage athletes. I would appreciate your perspective. — J.Y.

Answer • I start with an apology, J.Y. Thisisn’t going to get to you in time for your class assignment. I wishyou had included your address in the letter. I would have mailed itto you.

Performance-enhancing supplements cover a Texas-sized assortmentof legal and illegal drugs, herbs, foods and tonics. Let’s startwith male hormones and their chemically altered relatives, sincethe spotlight shines on them so brightly. These drugs are called bymany names: androgens, anabolic (growth-enhancing) steroids,testosterone (the main male hormone) copycats or just ”steroids.”"Steroids” confuses people because that word includes medicineslike cortisone and prednisone, not what we’re talking about. Let’sstick with anabolic steroids.

Anabolic steroids promote muscle growth and muscle strength bystimulating protein synthesis. Proteins are the basic units ofmuscles. Many bodybuilders and other athletes have attainedincredible muscle size through the use of these drugs. Risks of useto teenagers include the premature closure of growth plates. Growthplates are sections of bone that are cartilage. They allow bones toelongate. Closure of growth plates stops bone growth. Teens haven’treached the age when growth naturally and completely stops.

Furthermore, to reach such gargantuan size, users have to takedoses of anabolic steroids that are 40 times greater than dosesused for medical purposes. such doses can and often do alterpersonality, making the users aggressive to the point of being adanger to others. It’s called ”roid rage.” such large quantitiescan harm the liver, promote growth of the male breast and possiblydecrease testicle size. Girl users develop acne, grow facial andchest hair, deepen their voices and decrease breast size. Thesesubstances are banned by most athletic governing bodies. Don’t usethem.

I would like to give you more examples of things like creatineand caffeine. Write back, and I will.

Dear Dr. Donohue • Why didn’t you suggestgetting a treadmill for the lady who weighed 250 pounds and was 5feet 3 inches tall? She also had joint pain. She wondered ifsurgery would relieve the joint pain she had when she walked.Walking on cement is hard on the legs, knees and feet. you shouldhave pushed a treadmill. — B.T.

Answer • Treadmill exercise is a great way toburn calories. however, this woman wondered if she should considerstomach surgery. I said yes. She is way over the normal limits, andlosing weight by exercise alone for her is almost animpossibility.

Write Dr. Donohue at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, Fla.32853-6475.