The Low Down

[Sportsmedjosh]

cont. from increase in body mass thread.


DHEA

• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
• Prohormone

-DHEA (weakest), androstenedione, androstenediol
-Precursors to testosterone

• “Fountain of youth”

-DHEA decreases substantially with age

Is it safe
Unknown safety profile
Prescription drug in most countries (including U.S. prior to 1994) due to high abuse potential
Since 1994 a dietary supplement in the U.S. so consumers must monitor

Is it effective?

• No evidence of effectiveness

-Too weak to have an anabolic effect?

• Low benefit, some risk

Anabolic/androgenic steroids (AAS)
Drugs that mimic testosterone
Testosterone
Increases lean mass
Decreases body fat
Increases strength even w/o resistance training
Modified to enhance anabolic effect and minimize androgenic effect

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
rHGH (recombinant HGH)

Anabolic hormone that influences many different tissues including bone

Is rHGH safe?
Adverse effects for athletes are extrapolated from people who oversecrete HGH
Potential adverse effects are substantial
High blood pressure
Insulin resistance/diabetes
Acromegaly
Enlarged organs (e.g. liver)

Is rHGH effective,ethical, legal?

Limited studies show:
Increase in lean body mass
No increase in muscle size or strength

Is it ethical?
Is it legal?

High risk, low benefit


Ephedrine (Ephedra)

Terminology
Ephedra (genus)

Ephedrine alkaloids (found in stems and branches of some Ephedra)

Ephedrine (one of the ephedrine alkaloids)

Ma hung

• Extracted from Ephedra sinica Stapf
• Contains 6 different ephedrine alkaloids
• Primary active ingredient is ephedrine

Compound should be standardized to ensure proper dose

Ephedrine as medicine(assumes standardized dose)
Ma huang is an herbal treatment for asthma and nasal congestion
Has been used effectively for centuries
Many over the counter (OTC) cold and asthma medicines have ephedrine
Has been used effectively for decades

Ephedrine for other uses
Used by athletes for:
Weight loss
Increased energy
Combat fatigue
Enhanced performance

Is ephedra safe?

• Hotly debated
• 16,000 adverse event reports

-21 were serious

• Strokes, heart attacks, psychiatric problems
• Deaths

Safe dose is disputed

• FDA proposes

No more than 8 mg of ephedrine alkaloids in a 6-hour period and not more than 24 mg in a 24-hour

• Other scientists propose

No more than 30 mg (single dose) and 90 mg (total) in a 24-hour period. Limit to six months usage.

Quality control of dietary supplements

• In 2000, a study of 20 ephedrine-containing supplements

-10 varied by more than 20% of amount stated on the label

• One contained 150% of stated amount
• One contained none
• Five contained a drug (norpseudoephedrine)

Athlete deaths

• 2001
• Korey Stringer
• NFL player
• Heatstroke
• Hot, humid practice conditions (= 110ºF)
• Body temp of 108.8ºF
• Ephedrine supplement found in his locker

• 2003
• Steve Bechler
• MLB pitching prospect
• Hot, humid practice conditions
• Body temp of 108ºF
• Ephedrine cited as the cause of death
• Hypertension, liver abnl., food and fluid restriction 24 hrs prior

Is ephedrine effective for weight loss?

• Weight loss (ephedrine + caffeine)
• In obese individuals

-8 to 9 pound weight loss over 6 months

• No weight loss studies in athletes

-Used to reduce weight gained in the off-season

Is ephedrine effective to combat fatigue?

• “Energy” (ephedrine + caffeine)
• Probably masks fatigue

-Ephedrine + caffeine is stimulatory
-May contain other stimulatory compounds (drugs or banned substances)