In this lesson, you will learn what prohormones are, what they do, and what their side effects are. Prohormones (also known as pro-steroids) are substances that serve as precursors to hormones. Instead of taking a steroid directly, you consume a compound that is converted into an anabolic hormone during digestion—through an enzymatic process that transforms prohormones into anabolic steroids.
For a long time, prohormones were allowed in sports. But when American baseball player Mark McGwire admitted to using the prohormone Androstenedione, these supplements began to attract significant attention. Before they were banned in 2005, many people believed they were harmless performance enhancers, similar to creatine or whey protein.
Today, prohormones are classified alongside anabolic steroids, and their use is illegal. However, some actors, wrestlers, and bodybuilders—who don't care about the health risks and don’t compete in events with routine drug testing—still use prohormones.
Find more information on sports nutrition and drug abuse in sports at Nutrition Main. Since the effects of prohormones are similar to those of synthetic anabolic steroids, they remain popular in bodybuilding and strength sports.
In most cases, prohormones are precursors to anabolic steroids like testosterone. They are taken to boost the body's hormone levels.
Unfortunately, the side effects can be severe.
Common types of prohormones include:
The side effects of prohormones are the same as those of anabolic steroids. Common side effects include:
If you are genetically predisposed to a certain condition—such as male pattern baldness—your risk of experiencing that side effect when using prohormones is extremely high.
Other side effects:
Focus on proper nutrition instead of looking for shortcuts.
There’s a reason anabolic drugs are illegal: prohormones can cause serious health problems.
Since January 20, 2005, the use, sale, distribution, and manufacture of prohormones as performance enhancers has been illegal in the U.S.
That said, prohormones are still used legally in hormone replacement therapy to treat diseases such as osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis.
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