Food Addiction – A Serious Problem, Simple Solution

Food addiction is a very serious problem and one of the main reasons some people just can’t control themselves around certain foods, no matter how hard they try.\

Food addiction is, quite simply, being addicted to junk food in the same way as drug addicts are addicted to drugs. It involves the same areas in the brain, the same neurotransmitters and many of the symptoms are identical. Food addiction is a relatively new (and controversial) term and there are no good statistics available on how common it is. This is very similar to several other eating disorders, including binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating and having an “unhealthy” relationship with food.

Processed junk foods have a powerful effect on the “reward” centers in the brain, involving brain neurotransmitters like dopamine. The foods that seem to be the most problematic include typical “junk foods,” as well as foods that contain either sugar or wheat, or both. Food addiction is not about a lack of willpower or anything like that, it is caused by the intense dopamine signal “hijacking” the biochemistry of the brain. There are many studies that support the fact that food addiction is a real problem. The way this works is pretty complicated, but this short video explains it in human terms:
There is no blood test available to diagnose food addiction. Just like with other addictions, it is based on behavioral symptoms.

Here are 8 common symptoms that are typical of food addicts:

1. You frequently get cravings for certain foods, despite feeling full and having just finished a nutritious meal.
2. When you give in and start eating a food you were craving, you often find yourself eating much more than you intended to.
3. When you eat a food you were craving, you sometimes eat to the point of feeling excessively “stuffed.”
4. You often feel guilty after eating particular foods, yet find yourself eating them again soon after.
5. You sometimes make excuses in your head about why you should eat something that you are craving.
6. You have repeatedly tried to quit eating or setting rules (includes cheat meals/days) about certain foods, but been unsuccessful.
7. You often hide your consumption of unhealthy foods from others.
8. You feel unable to control your consumption of unhealthy foods, despite knowing that they are causing you physical harm (includes weight gain).

If you can relate to 4-5 of these, then you probably do have a serious problem with food. If you can relate to 6 or more, then you are most likely a food addict. Although the term “addiction” is often thrown around lightly, having true addiction is serious business.

Food addiction can cause physical harm. It can lead serious diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis and depression, to name a few. But you have even bigger reasons to quit than some unfamiliar disease in your distant future. Food addiction is also ruining your life… today. It breaks your self-esteem, makes you unhappy with your body and can make your life a living hell (like it did for me). The seriousness of being a food addict can not be overstated. This is a problem that ruins lives and kills people. Literally.

The most important lesson I have ever learned is called the law of addiction: “Administration of a drug to an addict will cause reestablishment of chemical dependence upon the addictive substance.” A former smoker who has a puff of a cigarette will become addicted again… instantly. An alcoholic who has a sip of beer will relapse, with all the horrible consequences that follow There is no way of getting around it. This is simply how addiction works. I am personally convinced that food addiction is no different. One bite of cake, one sip of coke, one “cheat” – that’s all it takes. Of course, we all need to eat something. Otherwise we’ll die of starvation. But no one needs to eat sugar, refined wheat flour or any of the modern junk foods that people tend to lose control over.

Most food addicts will never be able to eat junk food like “regular” people again. That’s the cold, hard truth. But if they manage to avoid the “trigger foods,” then they should be able to eat healthy and lose weight without problems. The truth is… complete abstinence is the only thing that reliably works against addiction. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you will recover. Although the “everything in moderation” message may work for some people, this advice is a complete disaster for food addicts. When it comes to addiction, moderation fails. Every time. This is the simple (but not easy) solution to addiction. Avoiding the addictive substance at all times.

Completely avoiding junk foods may seem impossible. These foods are everywhere and are a major part of our culture. But believe me… once you’ve made the decision to never eat them again, avoiding them actually becomes easier. When you’ve made a firm decision to avoid them completely, then there’s no need for you to justify anything in your head and the cravings may not even show up. Many people who have done this (including myself) don’t even get cravings anymore, not after they’ve made a profound decision to simply avoid this stuff… permanently.
But if you’re still in doubt and are unsure if this is worth the sacrifice, then write down a list of pros and cons.

Pros might include: I’ll lose weight, I’ll live longer, I’ll have more energy and feel better every day, etc.

Cons might include: I won’t be able to eat ice cream with my family, no cookies on Christmas, I might have to explain my food choices… (Most of these social dilemmas can be solved easily). Write everything down, no matter how peculiar or vain. Then put your two lists side by side and ask yourself: Is it worth it?

If the answer is a resounding “yes” – then you can rest assured that you are doing the right thing.

There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself and make the transition as easy as possible:

• Trigger Foods: Write down a list of the foods you tend to crave and/or binge on. These are the “trigger foods” you need to avoid completely.
• Fast Food Places: Write down a list of fast food places that serve healthy foods. This is important and can prevent a relapse when you find yourself hungry and not in the mood to cook.

What to Eat: Think about what foods you’re going to eat. Preferably healthy foods that you like and are already eating regularly.

Pros and Cons: Consider making several copies of your “pros and cons” list. Keep a copy in your kitchen, glove compartment and purse/wallet. Sometimes you will need a reminder about why you’re doing this.

It’s important to NOT go on a “diet.” Put weight loss on hold for at least 1-3 months.

Overcoming food addiction is hard enough as it is, by adding hunger and additional restrictions to the mix you will just make things even harder and set yourself up for failure.

Now… set a date, some time in the near future (maybe this weekend or next week).

From this day and onward, you will never touch the addictive foods again. Not a single bite, ever. Period.
When All Else Fails… Seek Help

If you end up relapsing and losing control over your consumption again, then you’re not alone.
Relapses are the rule when it comes to addiction, not the exception. Most people have a history of several failed attempts before they manage to succeed in the long run. That’s how it was for me and most recovering food addicts I know.

But if you relapse often, then there really is no point in trying to do it on your own again. If you’ve failed a hundred times, then the chances of you succeeding when you try it for the 101th time are almost nonexistent. Luckily, help is not far off… There are health professionals and support groups that can help you overcome this serious problem. You can seek professional help… for example from a psychologist or psychiatrist. Try to find someone who has actual experience in dealing with food addiction.

But there are several free options available as well, including 12 step programs like Overeaters Anonymous (OA), GreySheeters Anonymous (GSA) and Food Addicts Anonymous (FAA).  Food addiction is a problem that will rarely resolve on its own. Unless you deal with it, chances are that it will just get worse over time.

If you have this problem, then you have to do something about it now, or it will end up ruining your life.

Vitamin A derivative potentially treats type 2 diabetes, prevents its cardiovascular complications

 At a  time when obesity, type 2 diabetes, and their complications are a veritable epidemic worldwide, researchers at the University of Montreal and CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM) recently demonstrated the potential of retinoic acid (RA), a derivative of Vitamin A, in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes and preventing their cardiovascular complications.

"In obese and insulin resistant mice, retinoic acid reduces the risk of cardiac apoptosis, stimulates the expression of cardio-protective genes reduced by the disease, and protects against the accumulation of collagen in the cardiac muscle, thus avoiding the occurrence of fibrosis and possible associated future complications," says the first author of the study, Daniel-Constantin Manolescu.

 Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death. The discovery follows other research conducted by his team on the effects of RA on insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity. "Blood glucose, insulin resistance, body weight, and adipocyte size were significantly decreased in treated animals, including abdominal fat, while dietary intake and physical activity were similar for treated or non-treated animals. This suggests an increase in basal energy expenditure," says Manolescu. White fat is an energy reserve formed by the accumulation of fat in the form of triglycerides to meet unexpected increases in energy costs, but it is also a hormonal tissue with a delicate balance. Overall, if energy intake is greater than expenditures over an extended period, obesity increases, while hormonal balance and energy metabolism are disturbed. In this context, resistance to type 2 diabetes develops over time.

Brown fat also stores triglycerides, but it has the ability to produce heat. Abundant in babies, brown fat does not disappear completely in adulthood. It is irrigated by blood vessels and has many mitochondria, the energy factories of cells. Vitamin A derivatives stimulate a mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP1) that allows uncoupling of the mitochondria pathway (oxidative phosphorylation ), which uses energy from the oxidation of nutrients for the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). For a period of time, they generate heat (thermogenesis) instead of ATP, which is traditionally the energy required for active metabolism. Exposure to cold leads to the stimulation of brown fat and white fat, promoting the conversion of triglycerides to free fatty acids and glycerol. However, in brown adipocytes, these fatty acids are rapidly oxidized in the mitochondria and produce heat (under the influence of the UCP1 protein). Brown fat thus helps to increase basal energy metabolism. As a result, hibernating mammals fatten in the fall without developing diabetes and lose weight without moving too much in the winter (while warming their den). They are also the animals that accumulate the most Vitamin A in their livers. Retinoic acid (a Vitamin A derivative) is recognized for its involvement in cell maturation and differentiation and may guide pre-adipocytes to become brown (or beige) instead of white. It is as if "boilers" were installed directly in reserves of white fat to melt it on the spot and prevent it from over-accumulating.

"Vitamine A is a bioactive nutrient. The originality of our project is in addressing obesity and type 2 diabetes through the involvement of retinoids. We have attracted international attention and were named among 12 teams in the world to bring conclusive data in this regard," says Dr. Pangala V. Bhat.

"Our studies on animals show that retinoic acid induces normalization of blood glucose and reduction of obesity. It is an important contribution to understanding RA action on the liver, fat, muscles, and the heart, and on retinoid metabolism, energy metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, and insulin resistance. Our research identifies new metabolic effects of retinoids and may lead to anti-obesity and anti-diabetic medicines," says Dr. Jean-Louis Chiasson.

Stress and Cortisol

We all get stressed from time to time and knowing how to deal with it is a lesson that everyone needs to learn. So what causes stress and why is it so bad for me? There are many reasons to avoid being stressed, but there is one substantial element that can cause your body to become a fat gaining machine. That element is called cortisol.

Cortisol is produced in the body when it`s faced with stressful conditions. Kids, family, work, school can all become stressful if preventative measures are not taken. When there is simply to much work to be done in a days time than what seems that can be done, your almost guaranteed to become stress. Stress is not the only cause of cortisol: overtraining, lack of sleep, and undereating can also make your body produce this harmful chemical. When your body is in a catabolic state, which simply means that your body doesn`t have enough nutrients to repair broken muscle fibers, cortisol will enter your body and try impairing you.

Fat gain and muscle loss will be the main problems your body has. You should also expect to suffer other side effects such as your body not getting the adequate nutrients it needs to function. Stress will not only have a negative impact on your bodybuilding, but will have an impact on your everyday life. Stess is often accompanied by physical symptoms, including: twitching or trembling, muscle tension, headaches, sweating, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain (may be the only symptom of stress, especially in a child.) Sometimes other symptoms accompany anxiety: dizziness, rapid or irregular heart rate, rapid breathing, diarrhea or frequent need to urinate, fatigue, irritability, including loss of your temper.

Controlling cortisol is easier once you plan to stop it. The most important thing you can do is try keeping stress to a minimum. Sure, this is easier said than done but finding ways to eliminate stress is a step toward keeping cortisol to a minimum. In the gym, make sure you don`t overtrain. Your body easily becomes stressed by doing this. Finally, you should be eating enough protein in your diet to repair damaged muscle fiber that are broken down from the result of your training.

There are many products available that keep cortisol levels at bay, but following these techniques can save you money in the long run. The more time you spend educating yourself on proper ways of doing things, the better your body will be. You can either pop pills expecting a miracle with your body or you can use a method that has worked for hundreds of years, hard work!

Equipoise(Boldenone Undecylenate) by QD Labs for Safer Muscle Development

Equipoise (Boldenone Undecylenate) is a testosterone derivative wherein a double bond was added between the 1 and 2 carbons of the naturally-occurring hormone. Designed as a longer-lasting injectable alternative to the widely popular orally-administered Dianabol, Equipoise shares the strong anabolic effects of testosterone but is much less androgenic. Equipoise is a decent steroid that is quite popular for bodybuilders.

Because of the double bond, Boldenone Undecylenate offers unique characteristics that are not found in Equipoise steroids bottleother steroids. For one, it resists conversion by the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, but the small quantities that is nonetheless converted produces a very potent derivative, dihydroboldenone, which is roughly 7 times as anabolic as testosterone. The effect of Boldenone Undecylenate is not mediated by dihydroboldenone, though, which led to the conclusion that it works by upgrading the androgen receptor thereby allowing the hormones to exert a greater anabolic effect, as proven in the case of strong androgenic drugs like anadrol.

The appetite-enhancing property of Equipoise is also well-known among users. This increase in appetite aids the muscle-building process, as high nutritional intake hastens protein synthesis that is known to be the primary cause of muscle mass buildup -  as more protein molecules are made available to the muscular system, the faster the body heals torn muscle fibers. Equipoise also increases nitrogen retention in the muscles, which further aids protein synthesis.

Another unique property of Boldenone Undecylenate is its very slow rate of aromatization (conversion to estrogen), which goes as slow as half of the rate for testosterone. This results in very insignificant estrogenic side effects to users, even in fairly high doses and in longer periods. Thus, this is a safe alternative to testosterone, as estrogenice side effects such as oily skin, acne, and gynecomastia for men and development of male sexual characteristics in women are rarely reported. The low androgenic effect is the reason why many male and female bodybuilders and athletes prefer to use this compound, alone or stacked with other drugs.

Many steroids cause increases in the red blood cells (RBCs) but Equipoise does it better than most (with the exception of erythropoietin or EPO, which is precisely designed to raise erythrocytes). More RBCs equate to more oxygen in the blood, which in turn increases stamina that translates to better speed, endurance and strength. Also, better glycogenolysis (repletion of glycogen lost during exercise) is observed during use of Eq.

The slow but constant muscle buildup one gets from Equipoise is due to the undeclynate ester that is used, which, with 11 carbons, is longer than the decanoate ester used in Deca Durabolin. Thus, the effect of the drug is felt for a longer time than ordinary testosterone (it stays active for more than four weeks). For this reason, use of the drug by tested athletes is not advised, as it is detectable in doping tests for a long time. Still, with so many benefits one gets from using Equipoise, the limited side effects, including its low toxicity on the liver, and high availability, countless enthusiasts, male or female, favor it over other steroids.

Users usually stack boldenone with testosterone ester like enanthate or cypionate for good gains in a bulking cycle. For those who favor Deca Durabolin, adding a little Boldenone Undecylenate will improve appetite and vascularity. For cutting cycles, stacking Eq with Trenbolone, Stanozalol or Testosterone propionate would give muscle hardness and strength, and increase muscle definition. The use of ancillary drugs such as anti-aromatases or anti-estrogens is seldom required when using Boldenone Undecylenate.

10 common anabolic steroid myths

Anabolic steroids, in actual fact, greatly increase endurance by creating a greater count of red blood cells. Red blood cells are one of the most important physiological components for athletes – especially endurance athletes. These cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the body’s tissues (including muscles). On a quick note, blood doping, the practice of increasing the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream, is illegal, however altitude training, the practice of training for several weeks at high altitudes too ultimately increase the red blood cell count too, is legal.

1. Women Will End Up Looking Like Men Yes, women take anabolic steroids too, whether they are supreme athletes, bodybuilders or recreational users. But just like men, women can select the types of anabolic steroids they take so they don’t end up looking like a line-backer. Women do however suffer more side effects than men by way of clitoral enlargement, a deepening of the voice and hair growth in unwanted places, however they are reversible once the cycle is over.

2. Anabolic steroids are a Quick Fix In actual fact, athletes will testify that more intense training and regime dieting is required in order to reap the full benefits that anabolic steroids have to offer. The fact is, anabolic steroids are not a magic pill or chemical that will instantly shape, define or provide your body with the athleticism you yearn for. A healthy lifestyle that combines a healthy diet, with a recommended 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep will compliment the intense training an athlete will punish his or her body through. If anabolic steroids were the magic peel that many people make them out to be, anyone could be the supreme athlete.

3. Liver Damage anabolic steroid users will be quick to tell you that injected anabolic steroids are a better method of taking the drug than oral digestion. If taken orally, the steroid must pass through the liver and could cause high levels of toxicity, however, this is not the case with all orally ingested anabolic steroids. Yet why should anabolic steroids take such a bad rap in terms of liver side effects when millions choose to kill their liver with alcohol and various forms of prescription drugs, all of which are legal? Such a stigma exists about anabolic steroids whereby communities look down on those that take them, but why does the same stigma not exist for alcohol, even if it may be just social drinking?

4. Penis Shrinks  - No, your penis will not shrink. Your testicles might though. This is a common occurrence amongst anabolic steroid users however it is reversible – in other words, as soon as the cycle is concluded, your testicles will return to their normal size. Men, if you don’t want your significant other finding out about your anabolic steroid usage, blindfold your partner.

5. Depression - The media has built this one up a lot. Misinformation is being exploited. Every report that has linked steroids with depression has been purely anecdotal, and in most cases, the individual has had previous mental imbalances. Similar to myth #1, increased testosterone levels have been proven to increase positive moods and decrease stress.

6. Stunted Growth It -  has been suggested that anabolic steroid use in teenagers leads to the premature closure of the growth plates. Once again, there is no scientific proof to prove this claim. One needs to merely look at Arnold Schwarzenegger, who admitted taking anabolic steroids from a very young age to see that steroids do not stunt your growth. That’s not to say that Arnold should be taken as 100% proof, but that coupled with no hard scientific data to prove such a claim should make this a myth.

7. Increased Chance of Prostate Cancer - Evidence has shown that men with higher levels of testosterone are at no greater risk of developing prostate cancer than men with low testosterone. Similar to myth #2, prostate cancer is largely a genetic predisposition. What should be pushed is more human studies on the use of anabolic steroids rather than rats so that the data is clear, not skewed, and so that these myths can be cleared up and rectified, and if there are any true dangers, they should be identified, not laughable fallacies.

8. Steroids Cause Baldness - Baldness is genetically determined. Increased levels of testosterone by way anabolic steroids will not cause baldness, but it has been argued that it could speed up the process. This side effect is enough to steer many people away from using steroids however there are ways of preventing this. Hair loss shampoos are recommended as a precaution for any cycle. As a general rule of thumb, athletes in their 20s, especially those who use the drug for pure aesthetic reasons, should think twice about taking steroids as their bodies are already producing large quantities of testosterone, more than what will ever be produced during a specific period in their life. It should be a decision that is seriously considered sometime into their 30s if they still feel inclined to experiment with the drug. The health benefits of such can be amazing

9. Roid Rage -  Best described in the documentary “Bigger, Stronger, Faster*,” steroids will only amplify personality characteristics that the individual already has. The only studies to have come from steroids are those performed on rats. The difference between humans and rats? We have a better capacity to control aggression. Caffeine and other stimulants have also been included within literature as stimulants that lead to higher levels of aggression, but should coffee be blamed for all outbursts by coffee drinkers? It also has been suggested that estrogen in fact is to blame for increased levels of aggression. Testosterone on the contrary makes males feel positive and motivated.

Misinformation is skewing the truth. Controlled human studies should be performed in order to put to bed all the myths and fallacies that surround anabolic steroid use and in order to take away the stigma associated with the use. Anabolic steroids have their place within sports and other recreations. But just like any other drug, they should not be abused. Be safe.

Effects of Anabolic Steroids

Lets say you are one of those guys who have a very serious approach to the gym life, you are health and you have been training for ages and the last 6-12 months you've "hit the wall" (you don't see any changes in your physique or results) but you still feel the need to to put on some muscle mass and you've probably tried all kind of natural supplements with no dramatic changes so you finally ended with the idea of running a steroids cycle.

Also before beginning you should remember that steroids are a sacrifice, you sacrifice a part of your health to achieve your goal, that's why the first 2 point you need to check before beginning a cycle is your health and your goal.

Begin with a general test of your health condition, check the functions of the main organs - your heart, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, sexual function - If they have shown any malfunction then stay away from steroids, I hope you are smart enough to understand that your health is more important than your look; also make a general blood test and check your male hormones levels.

Finally, if your doctor made a general conclusion and it says that you are healthy you can go to the next step - formulate your goal, as this will determine the needed effect of anabolic steroids used in your cycle.

The most common goals are : bulking (gain massive muscle in a short time), cutting/lean muscle (burning fat, getting more ripped and getting more defined muscle structure).

I wouldn't like to overload your mind with scientific descriptions of effects of anabolic steroids, you can find all them on Wikipedia or any steroids site, I am giving you a short and simple description of the steroids effect and tell you at least what to expect from them.

So, functionally the effect of anabolic steroids has 2 action fields:

• anabolic effect steroids increase protein absorption in cells, which causes the buildup of tissue, especially muscular tissue.
• androgenic effect, this effect is related to the fact that steroids are synthetic hormones and taking them will develop and maintain your masculinity so your strength, hair growth, vocal cords enlargement etc.

Each steroidal product has the androgenic/anabolic ratio, it can be 50/50, 70/30, 40/60 etc. what means that the product is XX percents androgenic and YY % anabolic, what can be understood that the product is mainly supposed for strength and has more virilizating characteristics or for building muscles.
One point here should be especially mentioned - as higher the androgenic rate of a steroid as more estrogen-related side effects it has because as more androgenic is a steroid as more it suppresses your natural testosterone production.

I don't want to bore you with detailed description of all the effects of anabolic steroids because I am sure you won't that load of info and quit reading after the first 5 minutes, you are an athlete, not a swot, so I decided o list the most used anabolic steroids and their effects.

Methandienone (Dianabol) - the most famous oral steroid, it's the choice of 87% of beginners - gives massive gains in a short time, the drawbacks are the high liver toxicity, rather high water retention what results in hard-maintainable gains.

Stanozolol (Winstrol) - available in injectable and oral form - mostly has cutting/ lean muscle effect, gives strength and endurance

Turanabol (Tbol) - used for lean muscle cycles, adds muscle hardness and strength, rather inoffensive

Anapolon (oxy) - the most potent and the most anabolic oral steroid, also the most toxic, gives massive water retention, be careful with it.

Anavar (Oxan) - has one of the most inoffensive effects of anabolic steroids, promotes fat burning processes, adds muscle definition

Halotestin - has more androgenis effects and close to none anabolic, is mostly used by lifters and MMA fighters, increases strength and aggression

Primobolan (oral and injectable version) - very mild and inoffensive effects of anabolic steroids, more used in cutting cycles, adds muscle hardness and doesn;t have a pronounced androgenic effect.

Testosterone Enathate - the most used injectable steroid, it is mostly used for bulking but you should know that any testosterone may be used both for bulking and cutting, it all depends on your diet and routine.

Testosterone Cypionate - has similar effects of anabolic steroids with testosterone enanthate, a beginner wouldn't notice the difference but it is said that it retains less water.

Testosterone Blends (sustanon) - are mixes of testosterone of different esterification levels, it is mostly used for bulking, giving rather massive muscle gains in a rather short time.

Testosterone Propionate - fast acting/ short ester testosterone, used for cutting, it kicks in 24 hours after you injected (e.g. testosterone enathate or cypionate kicks in after2 weeks), but it is needed to inject it each other day.

Boldenone undecylenate - used mostly for bulking, it increases endurance, strength, vascularization and increases appetite, so it would be a good add-on to any bulking cycle.

Trenbolone Enanthate - has more androgenic effects, mostly used for cutting, increases aggression and fat burn processes, not for beginners

Trenbolone Aceate - fast acting trenbolone, also used for cutting but it has a shorter half-life so you need to inject it each other day

Masteron propionate and enanthate - adds muscle definition and muscle hardness.

Clenbuterol - it's not considered a steroid but it very often used in cutting cycles due to it's thermogenic effect, it burns the fat rather fast

I hope you've reached the end of this list and it was useful, but I am sure you can't build your cycle by yourself even after reading all this, that's why you need a real advice, so don't hesitate to contact us, trust me a ton of reading won't replace an active and real communication.

As a conclusion I would like to remind you that steroids are synthetic hormones so taking any steroids will upset the balance of your natural hormone levels and besides the effects of anabolic steroids described above you can meet some side effects of anabolic steroids such as acne, low sex drive, oily skin, gynecomastia, liver damage and so on, but if you remember at the beginning of this article I told you that steroids are a sacrifice, so you are the one who decides....

Injections & Infections

Infection can be a potential complication of any injection, due to the very nature of traversing the protective barrier of the skin when injecting. It is imperative to inject under strict sanitary and sterile conditions, to avoid transmitting infectious organisms/ foreign particles into the body. Common infective complications of those injecting Anabolic Steroids include cellulitis and abscesses.

Cellulitis
The word 'cellulitis' literally means inflammation of the cells (not to be confused with cellulite - the lumpy fat often found on thighs, and buttocks). It generally indicates an acute spreading infection of the skin (dermis and subcutaneous tissues) resulting in pain, erythema (redness), oedema, and warmth of the affected area.

Cellulitis can spread in the skin and involve the lymphatic system causing lymphangitis. Swollen glands (lymphadenopathy) may also be present. It can be caused by many different types of bacteria, but the most common are Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. Specific oral antibiotics are given to control the infection, and analgesics may be needed to control pain. Elevating the infected area to minimize swelling and resting until symptoms improve, aid recovery which usually takes 7 to 10 days. In severe cases the patient may need to be hospitalized and receive antibiotics through the veins (intravenously).

Abscess
An abscess is a localized collection of pus in any part of the body, usually caused by an infection. Abscesses occur when an area of tissue becomes infected and the body is able to 'wall off' the infection to keep it from spreading. During this process 'pus' forms, which is an accumulation of fluid, living and dead white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other foreign invaders or materials.

The majority of abscesses are septic (i.e. caused by an infection) but sterile abscesses can also occur which are not caused by germs but by non-living irritants such as drugs. If an injected drug, especially oil based ones such as many anabolic steroids are not fully absorbed, it stays where it was injected and may cause enough irritation to generate a sterile abscess. Sterile abscesses are quite likely to turn into hard, solid lumps as they scar, rather than remaining pockets of pus.

Superficial abscesses are readily visible and are red, swollen, painful and warm. Abscesses in other areas of the body may not be obvious and may produce only generalized symptoms such as fever and discomfort. A sterile abscess may cause only a painful lump, for example deep in the buttock where a shot was given. If the abscess is small (less than 1 cm or less than a half-inch across), applying warm compresses/hot soaks to the area for about 30 minutes 4 times daily can help.

A culture or examination of any drainage from the lesion may help identify what organism is causing it. Most will continue to get worse without care. The infection can spread to the tissues under the skin and even into the bloodstream, resulting in septicaemia which can be very serious and life threatening. Unlike other infections, antibiotics alone will not cure a well developed abscess. In general an abscess must open and drain in order for it to improve. Sometimes draining occurs on its own, but generally it must be cut open by a doctor in a procedure called incision and drainage.

Once the sore has drained, the doctor will insert some packing into the remaining cavity to minimize any bleeding and keep it open for a day or two. With time the cavity will heal and one can expect to be out of action for a number of weeks. The healing process will involve scar tissue formation, and this may lead to a residual weakness in that muscle.

Searching the literature I found a number of cases of abscess complications, a few of which are mentioned below to highlight the pitfalls which should be avoided.

Two cases of thigh abscesses were discovered in male and female professional weight lifters who injected a veterinary preparation of stanozolol contaminated with Mycobacterium smegmatis.

A staphylococcal abscess occurred in a 24-year-old bodybuilder who reported, for financial reasons, reusing needles on multiple occasions.

Two case reports of staphylococcal gluteal abscesses developed in young bodybuilders 18 and 21 years of age. The steroids were injected by other weight lifters who were not familiar with sterile injection technique.

Pectoral and deltoid abscesses were reported in a 20-year-old anabolic steroid injector who had injected his anabolic steroid preparation and then returned the needle to the vial to inject into another muscle group. The patient was thought to have contaminated his multi-dosage vial with skin flora and subsequently spread the infection.

A counterfeit anabolic steroid preparation contaminated with Pseudomonas spp was responsible for a deep gluteal abscess in one anabolic steroid injector.

HIV Infection

The risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other blood borne diseases is rare. However there have been cases reported in the literature of this occurring. Three separate cases of HIV infection occurred in male, heterosexual bodybuilders who shared needles that were used for anabolic steroid injection on multiple occasions. One of the individuals who was diagnosed with HIV infection also acquired hepatitis B through shared anabolic steroid needles.

It is interesting to note that these cases were predominantly from the 1980's and possibly the drug culture was different at the time, being much more underground. From my own experiences with steroid users and confirmed by research, sharing needles has never been prevalent in bodybuilding culture in the UK, compared with other drug users.

With needles being cheap to buy and available for free at needle exchanges, there really shouldn't be a risk of contracting blood borne infections by sharing injecting equipment. Unfortunately amongst a minority, there is still a trend to reuse needles and syringes and this should be actively discouraged in order to avoid the complications highlighted in this article.

Precautions to take:

• Inject under strict sanitary conditions
• Use correct injection technique
• Avoid sharing or reusing needles
• Ensure medication is legitimate