There has been a recent surge in the number of new, unregulated designer sports supplements on the market – often with awesome claims.
Many of these products contain prohormones that can be grouped into testosterone precursors and nandrolene precursors. It is interesting that the findings of various studies published in recent literature reviews showed no support for the claims made by manufacturers. The side effects of these substances cannot be ignored.
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Testosterone precursors (Prohormones) Testosterone precursor hormones provide the necessary materials to increase the production of testosterone in the body.
Testosterone precursor hormones include dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione and androstenediol.
The ingestion of these precursor hormones may result in a positive doping test. If the testosterone to epitestosterone (T:E) ratio is more than 6:1, this constitutes a positive test. If testosterone prohormones are ingested inadvertently, the T:E ration may remain elevated for up to 24 hours.
Nandrolene Precursors
Nandrolene precursor steroids may increase the production of nandrolene in the body. Examples these steroids are 19-norandrostenedione and 19-norandrostenediol.
Nandrolene precursor steroids may be found in small amounts in other commonly used supplements. If ingested, it can be converted to nandrolene by the body. The nandrolene is broken down to 19-norandrostenedione, which is found in the urine. The athlete will have a positive drug test if the concentration is greater than 2 nanogram per millilitre. The urine can remain positive for 7-10 days.
Negative side effects of prohormone steroids in general are water retention, hypertension, decreased HDL cholesterol, abnormal liver function tests, mood and behavioural changes and acne.
In males specifically the side effects include impotence and sterility, the development of breast tissue and premature baldness. It can also lead to abnormalities of the reproductive system such as atrophy of the testes, decreased sperm count, enlargement and cancer of the prostrate.
In females the side effects include increased facial and body hair, deepening of the voice, abnormalities of the reproductive system and sexual organs, clitoral enlargement and menstrual problems.
In adolescents steroid use may stunt growth due to the premature closing of growth centres of the bone.
All athletes taking supplements should ensure that each specific batches of a product has been tested for banned substances, and that each batch is certified free of illegal substances.
Source: Adapted from "Eating for Sport" by sports nutritionists Shelley Meltzer and Cecily Fuller. This new book will soon be available in leading book stores.
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