Anabolic steroids are effective in developing muscles in adults but it is sometimes abused by professional athletes. The continued illegal use of steroids in many sports organizations makes this drug a hot item for drug regulators and monitoring agencies. In fact, most sports authorities ban the use of anabolic steroids because it can be used to improve performance and gain competitive advantage over other competitors. Some side effects are also noted on this drug so its use must be carefully monitored by a health care professional.

Steroids are significant in treating many medical conditions. Its main functions are helping the body develop muscles and increase strength. However, some pharmaceutical companies are still looking for other alternatives to this drug. They are hoping that a new version or breakthrough could eliminate the side effects of using steroids. Various clinical studies have been conducted to determine if steroids use in different medical conditions and age range can provide positive results.

In a study funded by the government, testosterone use in the elderly showed that it can help them increase their strength but there was a setback. Researchers found out that those people included in the study suffer an increase risk for cardiac problems. Many people are also turning to human growth hormones but it is still controversial because of the many questions regarding its effectiveness and safety.

The NY Times identified those companies who were engaged in developing new products that will replace anabolic steroids or at least develop new products with fewer side effects as compared to anabolic steroids. GTx and Ligand Pharmaceuticals were trying to develop drugs that possess the muscle-building ability of testosterone without its side effects, like the development of facial hair and other masculine features in women. These drugs are called selective androgen receptor modulators, or Sarms according to the report of NY Times.

Pharma giant Pfizer is doing a research focused on drugs that will block myostatin. This is a protein made by the body that acts as a brake on muscle formation. Amgen and Acceleron Pharma were also conducting similar studies. There were cases where lack of myostatin in the body results to an increase in strength and muscle mass. For example, Belgian Blue cattles do not make myostatin but they have huge, rippling muscles and healthy. A German boy also showed an abnormal level of strength and muscle because of a health condition that resulted to the lack of myostatin in his system.

Another study is also focused on treating Lou Gehrig’s disease. Cytokinetics is conducting trials that aim to improve the ability of the muscles to contract by making them sensitive to nerve signals. These Pharmaceutical companies have tested some of the drugs in early stage of clinical trials and still needs more validations.

And the bad news is, some of these Pharma companies have stopped or unsuccessful in finding a good alternative to anabolic steroids. According to NY times, Wyeth already dropped its clinical trials on myostatin inhibitor that did not work well in a muscular dystrophy. Merck decided not to participate in developing GTX drugs. Amgen was also reported putting off its trial on myostatin blocker intended for age related muscle decline.

If these current researches will not give any positive result, the Pharmaceutical industry will not stop finding the best alternative to steroids. They are committed in providing drugs that will help treat medical conditions with fewer side effects.

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