Mail Today
New Delhi, Monday, May 19, 2008
BOLLYWOOD stars Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan may take pride in flaunting their well-toned bodies, but doctors warn that using steroids to realise the 'six-pack dream' may lead to mental and physical disorders.
Experts warn that such steroids which are easily available in markets - may cause side-effects such as impotency, shrunken testis, cardiovascular and liver disorders and male breast enlargement (Gynaecomastia). steroids packaged as 'health- boosters' are flooding markets, with many products even carrying tags like '100 per cent Ayurvedic' and 'Herbal'.
"Youngsters looking to make their sixpack ab dream a reality take anabolic steroids which can adversely affect fertiIity," said Shivani Sachdev Gour, a consultant fertility specialist at Fortis Hospital.
"Use of these steroids stimulates unrestrained secretion of testosterone, which leads to bulging muscles but ultimately leads to exhausted sexual functioning and suppresses the work of other vital organs," she added.
A survey conducted in Britain revealed over 80 per cent of active steroids users had sperm counts below two crore, the lower limit of sperm count set by World Health Organisation, while 20 per cent were azoospermic, that is, they had no sperm at all.
Samir Parikh, a psychiatrist with Max Hospital, said that such drugs cause psychological disorders like sleeplessness, mood swings, depression, change in food habits, sudden fits of anger and aggression and advises youngsters not to use steroids without medical supervision.
The mania caught up with youngsters after Shah Rukh Khan created a stir with his six-packs in Om Shanti Om.
Some common steroids used in India are Dianabol, Decadurabolin and Sustanon, which are available as tablets, injections, creams and gels.
"Consuming steroids is not hazard-free even under the supervision of a gym instructor. It is better to avoid them completely," said Gour.
PTI
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