<p>SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Anabolic steroids cause dropped levels of HDL or "good" cholesterol, increased levels of LDL or "bad" cholesterol and liver toxicity, says a U.S. study. </p>
<p>A study by researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center measured the effects of anabolic steroids on men with HIV wasting disease and found anabolic steroids lead to gains in both lean body mass and fat in men with HIV wasting. </p>
<p>"This is good news for people with devastating wasting illnesses, who suffer from the effects of loss of muscle mass and whose most immediate risk is that they will die of their disease," said lead researcher Dr. Carl Grunfeld. </p>
<p>"But for people who aren't this sick and who take anabolic steroids, there may be serious problems if these complications occur." </p>
<p>Grunfeld said that "the biggest use of these steroids today is among body builders and athletes, who take these drugs to build muscle, but who could wind up with significantly damaged hearts and livers." </p>
<p>The findings are published in the March issue of the <a href="http://www.jaids.com/">Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes </a>and is available online.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/view.php?StoryID=20060217-013820-5197r">http://www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/view.php?StoryID=20060217-013820-5197r</a></p>
Fri, 17 Feb 2006 12:19:05 -0600
<p>A study by researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center measured the effects of anabolic steroids on men with HIV wasting disease and found anabolic steroids lead to gains in both lean body mass and fat in men with HIV wasting. </p>
<p>"This is good news for people with devastating wasting illnesses, who suffer from the effects of loss of muscle mass and whose most immediate risk is that they will die of their disease," said lead researcher Dr. Carl Grunfeld. </p>
<p>"But for people who aren't this sick and who take anabolic steroids, there may be serious problems if these complications occur." </p>
<p>Grunfeld said that "the biggest use of these steroids today is among body builders and athletes, who take these drugs to build muscle, but who could wind up with significantly damaged hearts and livers." </p>
<p>The findings are published in the March issue of the <a href="http://www.jaids.com/">Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes </a>and is available online.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/view.php?StoryID=20060217-013820-5197r">http://www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/view.php?StoryID=20060217-013820-5197r</a></p>
Fri, 17 Feb 2006 12:19:05 -0600
