Personal Health, Part 13

Question 1: What are the dangers of using steroids?

Answer 1: Many people looking to build strength and endurance have foolishly used anabolic steroids, which are synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone. Though steroids will rapidly increase muscle strength and endurance, they are very bad for the liver, the brain, and the reproductive organs. Individuals who use steroids for long periods of time are more likely to develop heart disease. There are also harmful side effects associated with such steroid alternatives as human growth hormone (HGH) and gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB). These substances both are known to cause medical complications like nausea, seizures, and even coma.

Question 2: How does regular exercise benefit the heart, lungs, and bones?

Answer 2: Maintaining physical fitness has a number of advantages besides improving personal appearance. It has been shown time and again that habitual exercise is the best way to prevent coronary death. In fact, individuals who don’t exercise are twice as likely as active individuals to die of a heart attack. Exercise makes the lungs more efficient, as they are able to take in more oxygen and make better use of it. This provides the body with more available energy. Exercise also benefits the bones. Individuals who do not exercise are more likely to have weak or brittle bones, and they are more prone to osteoporosis, in which bones lose their mineral density and become dangerously soft.

Question 3: How does regular exercise benefit mood, disease prevention, and body weight?

Answer 3: The benefits of regular exercise are both physical and mental. It is well documented that frequent exercise improves a person’s mood, increases energy, focus, and alertness, and reduces anxiety. In fact, long workouts cause the release of mood-elevating chemicals called endorphins into the brain. Exercise also reduces the risk of disease. By aiding in the proper digestion, exercise reduces the risk of colon and rectal cancers. Studies have also indicated that women who exercise are less likely to develop breast cancer. Finally, exercise is beneficial because it helps people lose weight and keep it off. The body’s metabolism remains elevated for a prolonged period after exercise, which means food is processed more quickly and efficiently. In addition, regular exercise helps suppress the appetite.

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