A heavyweight fighter claimed that half of the MMA fighters are on steroids. Another bold statement that may contradict with UFC’s stand that they have full control of the steroid problem plaguing their sport. Cheick Kongo, a 230-pound heavyweight fighter, told Riddum.com that there are at least 50% of MMA fighters who are taking steroids. Adding that there could be more fighters who are using steroids. Whatever Kongo thinks about the issue of steroid use in his own sport, his statements will just create more questions and probably give him more problems in dealing with his promoter, the UFC.

Previous fighters who also divulge that the use of steroids or performance enhancing drugs in mixed martial arts is rampant were forced to withdraw their statements after a few days. We know that they may not have concrete evidences to prove their allegations but what is certain is the risk of losing their job if they continue to malign their own organization.

Dennis Hallman, Josh Koscheck, Josh Burkman and Nate Diaz are only some of those who believe that there is a problem of steroids use in UFC. However, most of them retract their statement and issued apologies. Let us just wait if Kongo will follow.

What is weird on these fighters is their claim that they do not use or will never use performance enhancers. If they know that there are more than 50 percent of the fighters who are using drugs to take competitive advantage, it could also influence them to take the same road knowing that there is only a minimal chance of being caught. If you will compare the rate of steroid positives with baseball or other leagues, the UFC fighters caught using steroids were only a handful.

Now, does Cheik Kongo give in to the temptation of using steroids? “What can I say, other than we need to stay away from all of that. It’s not easy to put things into perspective, especially if you believe that you have a disadvantage from the get go,” Kongo said. “For some athletes, it’s hard to hold up physically and mentally- the pressure, the obligation to stay on top - everything pushes you to take steroids,” he added.

The heavyweight fighter believes that taking performance enhancing drugs are not the best option. “For me, PEDs aren’t the solution. Taking PEDs jeopardizes your health and it’s cheating. I am a fighter; I owe my victories to my hard work, my training, the fact that I push myself beyond the limit, the sacrifices I make to a life almost entirely dedicated to sports. Nothing else,” Kongo said. He is optimistic that even without those needles a fighter can still succeed.

The unending allegation of rampant steroid use in UFC is an indication that there is something wrong within the sports organization. Why would a fighter talk about things or make accusations that will ruin the reputation of mixed martial arts. Dana White should take a look at this on other perspective. Does it mean that the fighters want something from the UFC or there are some unfavorable working terms and conditions being implemented by the league? Or they are underpaid, working too much, taking high risk job but not receiving enough income.

There were already a lot of cases where doctors were involved in anomalous prescriptions and some were charged with illegal possession and unauthorized practice of profession. One of the popular cases is the charges filed against a Canadian doctor. Dr. Anthony Galea, a chiropractor based in Canada was charged with illegal possession and attempt to smuggle prohibited substance in the US. The doctor was not spared from the scrutiny of the public because his clients or patients were celebrities and professional athletes in the country. Some of them were already named like Tiger woods, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets and Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees. It is expected that more names will come out once the trial begins.

Dr. Galea became famous for his unconventional treatments. He uses platelet-rich plasma therapy to treat injuries of athletes. Actovegin, a derivative of calf’s blood was another method of treatment used by the doctor. However, when his assistant was arrested because of illegal entry of controlled substance, an investigation started whether he also used anabolic steroids and human growth hormone to treat his patients particularly professional athletes.

Lat week he was indicted by a grand jury in Buffalo, New York. He was charged with smuggling illegal performance enhancing drugs over the border and lying to border guards to avoid detection according to the report of the indiepropub.com. Investigators are also trying to determine if Galea illegally prescribed HGH and other performance enhancing drugs to professional athletes even without medical basis.

U.S. Attorney William Hochul said that there is a reason why the public expects the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine which substances can be safely used in the country. “Misuse of certain substances can obviously be harmful, regardless of whether or not they are being administered by a medical professional,” said the prosecutor.

Authorities estimated that Galea received more than $500,000 from professional athletes who consulted him. Some of these athletes went to Canada for treatment but reports revealed that Galea also treated them in the US making it an illegal activity because he was not licensed in the country. Based on initial investigations, Dr. Galea treated at least 20 athletes at their homes or friend’s home and in hotels from October 2007 to September 2009.

Professional athletes named and investigated by the federal agents denied that they were given with HGH, steroids or any performance enhancing drugs. Some even defended Dr. Galea and they believed that the doctor is a good person.

Indiepropub.com also reported that the doctor is facing several charges in his home country. He allegedly involved in selling an unapproved drug under the Food and Drugs Act, conspiracy to import an unapproved drug and conspiracy to export a drug under the Criminal Code and also smuggling goods into Canada under the Customs Act. However, Galea’s lawyer argued that these charges have no basis.

If convicted, Dr. Galea may receive up to 20 years in prison. The illegal possession with intent to distribute HGH could put him in jail for 5 years.

Brent Musburger should expect for more harsh criticisms and probably his relationship with other sports personalities will be affected because of his statements on steroid use. The veteran sports journalist told a group of journalism students during a symposium that using anabolic steroids in professional sports is just okay as long as there is guidance from a doctor. The latest personality who was dismayed on Musburger’s view is his friend Hall of Famer Dick Butkus.

The issue of steroid use is still a hot issue and many retired professional athletes advocates against the use of steroids in any level of sports, from high school to professional level. Bears retired linebacker Dick Butkus established the “I Play Clean” campaign to educate young athletes about the dangers of using anabolic steroids and encourage them to develop their potentials the natural way. Butkus’ advocacy may yet to cause great impact in the field of sports but with the help of other non governmental organizations such as the Mareiro Foundation and Don Hooton Foundation, they’re hoping that they will be able to guide and prevent more young athletes become victims of steroid use.

So statements like that of Musburger hurt them. In fact Butkus told the Chicago Tribune that he was offended by the statements of Musburger especially that he personally know and previously worked with the journalist. “I just can’t believe that Brent is making a statement like that. It took me by surprise. ….I personally was offended by it because we’ve been working our (tail) off for five years. This is just a blow,” said Butkus.

The Hall of Famer wants to talk with Musburger about the steroid issue. “I have known Brent and I worked with him back when I was playing, when he was working for CBS. I would like to just talk to him about it. Where the hell are you getting your information? Come on, Brent,” Butkus added.

Dick Butkus was worried on the impact of Murburger’s statements. It may send a wrong signal to young athletes that using performance enhancing drugs are just okay in sport. As a veteran journalist devoting most of his career in covering college sports, Butkus knows that a lot of people will listen or believe Musburger. “When Brent says something, a lot of people listen. And, unfortunately, in this case, a lot of young people are watching him and listening to him. When he makes a statement that if the pros get a prescription, he doesn’t see a problem with it … so now the kids are going to be thinking, ‘Well, if the pros can do it, I can do it. What’s the big deal?’,” said Butkus.

Butkus also believe that his friend was just uninformed. This was also the same sentiment of Gary Wadler of WADA. Wadler also invited Musburger to visit his office so that he can show to the journalist voluminous information about the dangers of using anabolic steroids. Dr. Lawrence J. Santora, cardiologist of Butkus, said that there are proofs that could validate the risks involved in the use of anabolic steroids. He said that extended steroid abuse can be catastrophic. Santora even conducted his own study to determine the effects of steroids to the heart. “They had severe hardening of the arteries. Their arteries looked like those of people in their 70s and 80s,” Santora told the Tribune about his findings.

The “I Play Clean” program is already on its 5th year with Butkus spearheading the campaign. On October 22, the organization will hold a charity event to raise funds for its anti-steroid mission. Ron Arp of the Butkus Foundation said that they focused on teenagers because of the lack of information that they have. “We just need to show kids that with modern developments and nutrition and training, and playing with a little fire in the belly … you don’t need artificial substances. You just don’t need the shortcuts,” added Arp.

Every time a professional athlete dies or commits suicide, everybody point their fingers on steroids. This is especially true in wrestling where the deaths of young wrestlers were blamed on the use of anabolic steroids. It is a fact that long term use and abuse of steroids can lead to harmful side effects like hypertension, kidney problems, liver disease, and roid rage. But there are some cases where the main cause of death of these professional athletes was not due to steroids.

When WWE wrestler Chris Benoit murdered his family and later committed suicide, everybody thought that it was due to roid rage. However, medical findings revealed that the tragic incident was primarily caused by the damage in Chris Benoit’s brain. His father, Michael Benoit told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the continued trauma on his son’s brain turned him into a killer. “The person that committed that tragic act back in June 2007 was certainly not the Chris we knew and loved. Without that brain damage, my son would never have done what he did,” Michael said.

In their search for answers to Chris’ death, Michael agreed to a request from a former wrestler and acquaintance of his son Chris Nowinski. The group of Nowinski under the Sports Legacy Institute wants to examine the brain of Chris for further medical examination. The Sports Legacy Institute is conducting studies on concussions particularly CTE or chronic traumatic encephalopathy on professional athletes.

Julian Bailes of the Sports Legacy Institute said that the brain of Chris was so severely damaged that it can be compared to the brain of an 85-year-old with Alzheimer disease. They believed that the damage was caused by several chronic concussions and head trauma while the wrestler still plays in the ring.

ABC News reported that time the findings of Bailes. “We think these changes are not due to steroids,” she said. The brown clumps or tangles shown in the brain scans were advanced form of dementia. Dead brain cells were found in all 4 lobes and deep into the brain stem. “It was extensive throughout Chris’ brain. This is something you should never see in a 40-year-old,” she said. Benoit’s brain was not the first to show chronic damage on the brain. Former NFL players who also committed suicide have the same brain trauma. These damages were also linked to depression and impulse control.

Dr. Chuck Yesalis, a steroid expert from the Penn State University was not convinced that it was caused by roid rage. “None of that rings true with steroids. I think he was just a very troubled soul,” he said when interviewed that time.

But again, Chris Benoit’s doctor played a major role in his medical condition. Dr Astin, who already pleaded guilty and currently serving his 10-year jail term, prescribed too many drugs to the athlete. Authorities found several prescription drugs such as painkillers and anabolic steroids. The toxicology report also indicated that Benoit had 10 times more than the normal level of testosterone in his body when he died.

Up to this time, other sports organizations are not in favor of HGH testing because they believe the existing tests are not reliable. But critics have another opinion on this issue. Sports officials do not want their players to be caught using human growth hormone. Team owners are also afraid that a lot of players may be suspended thus affecting their standing in any competition. And of course, the players themselves are against this policy because it may end their career.

Professional athletes know that anti-doping agencies and other sports league have established tests for anabolic steroids. Taking steroids may be too risky that is why most of them shifted to human growth hormones. However, the continuous research on the effective detection of the synthetic growth hormone in the body has already improved. The first casualty is the British rugby player who was suspended for 2 years because of a positive test for HGH last year.

Terry Newton, 31, was the first professional athlete who was caught using HGH. He was tested last year in an out-of-competition test. His blood sample was brought to an accredited laboratory of WADA in London. Unfortunately, his sample returned a positive result for HGH. Newton did not contest the result and publicly admitted the use of HGH after his suspension was announced. The pro rugby player who played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats also detailed his HGH use in his recently published autobiography “Coming Clean.”

However, the world was shocked when the authorities found Newton hanged in his room last week of September. Authorities said that the player committed suicide. “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Terry’s untimely death,” Rugby Football League chairman Richard Lewis told the media. “This is a personal tragedy and our thoughts are with Terry’s partner, his children and his family at this terrible time,” added Lewis.

Many believe that the suspension was the main reason why Newton took his own life. He told the media in June that the suspension began to sink in when the rugby season started. He was also removed from the rooster of the Wildcats. “I’ve made one of the biggest mistakes of my life, and I know it is something I will regret for the rest of my life,” Newton said. Before his death, Newton posted a message on his Facebook account saying, “Luv U all but it’s end time.

Terry Newton played for 15 seasons in the Super League and was able to make 15 international appearances for Britain. The Super League is composed of 14 teams. The rules in this variation of rugby allow players to be more physical and this is a wide-open game. So players might be tempted to use steroids or HGH to cope up with the demands of the game.

The second athlete caught using HGH is a football player from the University of Waterloo. This was also considered as the first hgh case in North America.

Pharmaceutical companies are in continuous search for better and more efficient products in treating various medical conditions. An HGH product by an Israel-based company was recently given an orphan drug status by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The improved HGH product is primarily intended for GHD or Growth Hormone Deficiency. Current versions of human growth hormone injections are administered daily like Genotropin, Humatrope, and Saizen. With the introduction of the long-acting version of human growth hormone injections, patients can feel much relief from the daily dose of HGH.

Prolor Biotech Inc. is now on its second stage of clinical trials for its long-acting hGH-CTP product. The hGH-CTP will be used in the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children as well as in adults with either childhood-onset or adult-onset GHD. The current clinical studies will determine the efficacy of the hgh injections when administered weekly or twice a month to patients with GHD problems.

The CEO of Prolor Dr. Abraham Havron said that the new hgh treatment will help improve the quality of life of patients suffering from hormone deficiencies. “By reducing the frequency of injections from as many as seven per week to just one injection every one to two weeks, our longer-acting human growth hormone has the potential to improve the lives of the many individuals with growth hormone deficiency,” he said.

The pharma company will be able to complete the trials next year. If approved by the FDA, the company will receive incentives such as tax benefits, grant funding, and reduction in user fees. The best reward that will be given to Prolor is market exclusivity for 7 years that means there will be no other company that can offer the same drug in the market. It is no wonder why the stock of Prolor Biotech soars in the recent trading in the stock market. They gained 9.3% as compared with the previous weeks.

The FDA gives a drug an orphan status if it is aimed to treat rare medical conditions or health problems that lack available treatment in the market. An orphan drug is also intended to treat illnesses that affects less than 200,000 people in the country.

Human growth hormone therapy can be given to patients showing signs of stunted growth developmental delays due to genetic disorders, small birth size, poor nutrition, stress, or various conditions such as Prader-Willi syndrome, idiopathic short stature (ISS), or Turner syndrome according to DrugWatch.com. Growth hormone deficiency can also happen to adults because of brain trauma or damage in the pituitary gland in the brain.

However, the use of human growth hormone for non-medical purposes is also increasing. People who take hgh may suffer from severe hip pain, diabetes, fluid retention, inflammation of the pancreas, the development of carpal tunnel syndrome in adults, and increased pressure in the head.