Steroids are man- made substances related to the male sex hormones, usually testosterone, which promote muscular growth and the development of male sexual characteristics. These are categorized drugs, and when used inappropriately, they may cause severe, long lasting, and often irreversible negative health consequences. Following are some of the major consequences.
1. Inhibition of natural hormones: It is probably the most common side effect of steroid use. The exogenous addition of a hormone into the body results into the ceased production of the endogenous (body0s own) hormone by endocrine glands in order to maintain homeostasis. This leads to the ceased or no production of testosterone by the body.
2. Blood lipid profile: Steroids lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is frequently known as good cholesterol, and raise low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. HDL is known to protect the arteries by bringing unused cholesterol to the liver where it is broken down while the LDL shows an effect opposite to that of HDL.
3. Gynocomastia: The development of breast tissue in males is called gynocomastia. It occurs due to excess of estrogen being present in the body produced through a process known as 0aromatization0 in which androgens (testosterone like) are converted to estrogen. […]
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A recent study has found an unusual side effect of a group of medications known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). The drugs, which control gastric acid and secretion have been linked to early onset osteoporosis.Individuals who are most at risk for the development of osteoporosis and bone fracture are those who have taken PPIs for longer than five years, according to an August 2008 article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.The study echoed results of a similar study published in a December 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, which found that long-term, high-dose consumption of PPIs contributed to hip fractures among patients.Nearly 44 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis, which is nearly 55 percent of the 50 plus age group, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation as quoted in a September 2008 American Medical News article.What are PPIs Used For?Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) were introduced to help patients suffering from an array of conditions find relief with a reduction of gastric acid production. PPIs can be used for treatment of the following:* Zollinger-Ellison syndrome* Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)* Stress gastritis* Barrett’s esophagus* Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)* Dyspepsia* Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease* GastrinomasConditions causing hypersecretion of acidThe PPIs […]
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Found growing on trunks or stumps of trees in deciduous forests in temperate climates, the maitake mushroom is native to Eastern Canada and the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Maitake also can be found thriving in northeastern Japan and parts of Europe. With fan-shaped caps on stalks that may be fused together in masses, the mature maitake plant can weight up to twenty pounds. Also called dancing mushroom because of people dancing for joy when they found the maitake mushroom, one legend explains that the name refers to the fact that maitake overlaps other forms of fungi and has the appearance of butterfly wings flapping in a dance.
Only thirty years ago this type of mushroom had yet to become cultivated or well-known. Before 1979 maitake could only be found in the wild. However, now cultivation techniques have made it possible for maitake to be enjoyed all over the world, with some Japanese research finding that it is useful for the healing of a variety of ailments. Maitake is quickly becoming more and more important in the field of natural health. Like other mushrooms, maitake is rich in polysaccharides, […]
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