Bodybuilders, professional athletes and health enthusiasts are not only using vitamins and steroids to build a better body. They are also fascinated on the promising effects of HGH supplements. In fact many professional athletes were accused or being punished for taking human growth hormones. These are actually banned by most sporting organizations because it can improve performance of an athlete.

HGH or human growth hormone is produced in the pituitary gland which helps in many body processes. One of its significant functions is in the growth of an individual. Other functions of the HGH are it helps increase muscle and reduce body fat. It assists in calcium retention which then strengthens the bones. Blood sugar is properly controlled with the production of HGH in the body and it plays a significant function in boosting the immune system.

The production of this hormone however declines when a person reaches the age of 21. This is the reason why many people turn to the synthetic ones in the hopes that it will help reverse the signs of aging or at least slows down the aging process. Experts are still debating whether supplementation of HGH can really help. More clinical studies are still needed to validate these claims. But in adults with growth hormone deficiency, injections of HGH seem to provide positive results. They found out that HGH supplementation help increase bone density, muscle mass, and decrease body fat. It also increases the capacity of a person to do exercises that is why many bodybuilders and athletes are adding HGH to their daily regimen. HGH is an approve drug for the treatment of AIDS-HIV related muscle wasting.

Types of HGH Supplements

There are 3 types of HGH supplements available in the market. It can be purchased as an HGH spray, HGH pill, or HGH injections. If you are one of those who are inclined to try HGH, it is better to get more information about each type. They have advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into considerations. HGH spray for example is said to have the least benefit to the user. Experts believe that HGH injection is the most effective method in increasing the level of growth hormone in the body. However, there are a lot of cons for this type of HGH. First, before you can buy this product you need to have a valid prescription for the drug. Second, an HGH injection cost higher than the 2 types. An HGH therapy could cost you approximately $3,000 per month using the HGH injection.

The most common type of HGH supplementation is the HGH pills. This is cheaper than the HGH injection but it is important that you choose the most effective brand in the market. You have to make it sure that you only buy authentic supplements to avoid other health risks.

Side Effects of Using HGH supplements

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are recorded side effects of taking synthetic human growth hormones. Health experts still advice people not to use HGH supplements if they do not need it or if there is no medical condition that needs HGH treatment. Some side effects of taking HGH include swelling in the arms and legs, joint pain, muscle pain, and enlargement of male breast tissues or gynecomastia. It can also aggravate diabetes and increase in the incidence of acquiring heart diseases.

Boost Your HGH Level Naturally

People with declining levels of HGH should not lose hope because you can still do something without resorting to synthetic medications. A doctor suggests that doing moderate exercises regularly can help boost the levels of HGH in your body. However, you should avoid over exercising because it has the opposite effects. It is important that you get enough sleep and avoid vices such as drinking alcohol. Resort to a healthy diet. Avoid too much sugar, eat lean protein like red meat chicken or fish. These foods contain the amino acid lysine which stimulates HGH production in your body. Stress will lower your HGH so avoid activities or problems that will result to stress.

The 7-time CY Young Awardee Roger Clemens was indicted last August 19 for several charges including obstruction of justice, 2 counts of making false statements and 2 counts of perjury. The maximum penalty for these charges is 30 years in prison and a fine of $1.5 million. However, the sentencing guidelines would only allow 15 to 21 months in prison said the prosecutors. And now that the indictment was served, Clemens will be facing the real battle in his life. The reputation that he’s trying to protect since the Mitchell investigation is now in limbo. According to legal experts, Clemens will be facing a hard time proving that he did not lie in Congress when he said that he never took steroids or human growth hormone.

According to Rusty Hardin, Clemens’ lawyer, the pitcher is not worried on the development of his perjury case. “Roger is looking forward to his day in court. He is happy this has finally happened. We have known for some time this was going to happen. We’ll let everything get taken care of in court,” said Hardin. He also revealed that they were offered a plea agreement provided Clemens will admit his steroids use. But they rejected the offer because they want to prove in court that Clemens was telling the truth and did not commit any wrongdoing. “I will tell you the recommendation they made was a very good one if he was guilty. And if he was guilty, we would have jumped on it,” Hardin told the ESPN.

Clemens still insists that he never took any performance enhancing drug. He reiterated this on his twitter account after the indictment. “I never took HGH or Steroids. And I did not lie to Congress. I look forward to challenging the Governments accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial. I appreciate all the support I have been getting. I am happy to finally have my day in court.”

His former personal trainer and now his nemesis is also eager to testify in court to pin him down. It all started when Brian McNamee testified in a federal inquiry that he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone several times. He said that he injected Clemens with steroids in 1998, 2000, and 2001, and with HGH in 2000. McNamee also presented evidences like syringes that he allegedly used to inject Clemens with performance enhancing substances. The two camps filed libel suit against each other but just recently Clemens lost his case.

In a statement given to the media by McNamee’s lawyer Earl Ward, they are expecting that McNamee will be considered as one of the main witnesses in the case. “He is prepared to testify. He has been cooperative with the federal government. I expect that Clemens’ lawyers will go on the attack, but in the end, it’s clear that Brian is being honest and truthful,” said Ward. He also explained why McNamee kept the syringes and gauze pads allegedly used on the baseball legend. “Part of it was he just didn’t trust Roger, and he thought Roger would throw him under the bus, which is exactly what happened,” Ward explained. It is now on the part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine if the syringes would link Clemens through a DNA test.

A former federal prosecutor Colleen Conry told Bloomberg News that the case of Roger Clemens will be based on motive and integrity. It will also depend on the ability of the government to present corroborating evidences. “The jury would expect and demand, ‘Where is the forensic evidence, where is the DNA? Where is the needle?’” he said.

This was also echoed by another former federal prosecutor. Steve Bunnell said that the whole case will depend whether the jury will believe Clemens. An option that Clemens could use as a defense might be he didn’t ask or he didn’t care what his former trainer injected him. “In any trial, when the defendant takes the stand, his credibility becomes the focus. In a perjury trial, that’s even more true,” said Bunnell.

Clemens’ case will be handled by a federal court in Washington under US District Judge Reggie Walton.

While the McMahons insists that steroid is not a problem in WWE, another WWE champion claimed that steroids were common during their time. He also admits that he too took anabolic steroids while his career in the professional wrestling is on its peak. In the interview of the Courier UK, Ted DiBiase Sr. or more popular as “The Million Dollar Man” talked about his life during and after his career in professional wrestling. The issue of steroids and drug abuse were just some of the topics discussed in the interview.

Who would expect that The Million Dollar Man, who is considered an evil villain and bad guy in the ring is now active in preaching in his Church. DiBiase played as mega rich wrestler who can buy anything including his own title. With first class flights, five star hotel accommodations, and extravagant spending, he was able to play the role effectively which did not only make him popular in the US but also in the UK.

At 56, Ted BiDiase Sr. is now active as an evangelical preacher. “A lot of people ask how I can be a Christian and talk about God and then go out in the ring and be the evil villain and the bad guy,” he told David Clegg of the Courier. “Well, my answer to that is that it is just showbusiness; it’s playing a role. As long as the message we send out is that good will eventually triumph over evil at the end of the day I have no problem with that.”

The Million Dollar Man came from a family of wrestlers. His mother and his stepfather were both professional wrestlers. Now his two sons are now taking the same road just like what their father did. Ted Jr. is now one of the WWE stars and Brett is also training as a wrestler. Ted Sr. said that he doesn’t want his children to be in wrestling because of the lifestyle and the nature of work of a professional wrestler which he said can destroy people. “When you walk into the wrestling business you realise you are going to live a great deal of your life away from home and it’s going to be very difficult for your family,” he said.

Dibiase also shared his views about the deaths of several wrestlers caused by steroids use. “You hear all of the sad stories about the deaths due to drink and drug addictions in wrestling, but I don’t know why wrestling gets pointed out and highlighted all the time, because it happens in Hollywood just as much as it does with us,” he said. “Now the WWE has what I believe is state-of-the-art drug testing and everybody gets tested. If you need rehab to get over addiction issues the company will put you through rehab. There are a lot of people who think you can’t have that kind of body without drugs, but you can,” he added.

He also confessed that he too used steroids during his career in the WWE. “I took steroids for a very short time. It should be obvious by looking at me that I didn’t take them regularly because I was in good shape, but I was never massive. My strength was my ability to talk and my work in the ring. I always looked like an athlete but I didn’t look like Charles Atlas,” DiBiase said.

The Hall of Famer said that he stopped using it when he realized the dangers of using steroids. “The thing about the steroids was I was always afraid of them and I finally had a doctor tell me about the effects and that warned me right off them — that was it for me with that stuff. The only other drug I took for a while was cocaine. Now this doesn’t sound like the Million Dollar Man, but I stopped doing that because I was cheap — I didn’t want to spend the money on it!”

Meanwhile, Kurt Angle was irritated when his name appeared in the list of clients of Applied Pharmacy Services. He posted on his twitter account that he had no connections with the Alabama steroid distribution ring. “Rumors by media keep coming up. I was under medical supervision for meds back in 2003-2005. I had no involvement in this Alabama case. Put it to rest and come up with new material to write about. You’re all hideous. I apologize for my stern comment, but I want to move on with my life and put the past behind me, mainly the mistakes I’ve made. That’s all,” Angle said.

The Major League Baseball may have cursed him for revealing the rampant use of performance enhancing drugs in the sport but his desire to play baseball can’t be taken away from him. After more than 8 years of hiatus from professional baseball, Jose Canseco was able to comeback playing for an independent team in the United Baseball League. The Laredo Broncos announced a few weeks ago that Canseco will be playing for their team as a designated hitter and a bench coach. Although this is only a short term contract, Canseco is happy that he can play baseball again.

Many were hesitant if Canseco can still deliver the same performance after his involvement with anabolic steroids. He even admitted that he has to undergo treatment to control some of the side effects of using steroids. And at 46, can Canseco still hit a home run? In an interview, Canseco said that he still don’t know how well he will perform in the field. “I don’t know how I’ll perform physically, since I’m 46 and haven’t played at this level in a long time. We’ll see what happens,” he said.

Well after his first game with the Laredo Broncos, the slugger proves that his critics were wrong. Canseco’s first at bat was a home run to the left center on the third pitch. He also bounced into a double play helping the Broncos win the game at 16-8 beating Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings. The Broncos were right in signing him into a contract. Canseco’s record is exemplary if not tainted with his steroid use. During his 17 major league season, he hit 462 home runs, averaged .266, 1,407 RBIs and won the 1988 American League MVP.

The United Baseball League President Byron Pierce told the media that acquiring Canseco was one of the highlights of their league. “This isn’t something that happens every day. It’s a long way from Major League Baseball to the United League, but we’re happier than heck to have him here,” Pierce added.

Let’s just wait if Canseco can still hit more home runs during his stay with the Broncos. He is also wants to pitch for the team. It was also reported that Canseco will be part of the Broncos Baseball Camp on August 29.

Meanwhile, catcher Ronny Paulino of Florida Marlins was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The suspension is effective immediately which will last up to the 2011 season. The Major League Baseball did not identify the type of steroid found on Paulino’s system as part of their anti-doping policy.

Paulino blamed the dietary supplement that he took to control his weight which caused the positive test. “I am ashamed and saddened for disappointing and distracting my family, my teammates, the entire Florida Marlins organization and baseball fans,” he said. David Samson, Marlins President, was disappointed on the suspension of the catcher.

When the appeal of Brian Cushing on his 4-game suspension became futile, the Houston Texan owner came to the rescue by personally talking to top NFL officials about Cushing case. Texan owner believes that his ward is free from steroids and the failed steroid test could be due to a medical condition. Cushing then told the public that he may be suffering from “overtrained athlete syndrome.” This is a new term for most sport fanatics but according to Cushing this was caused by too much training in the last season. The “overtrained athlete syndrome” caused his testosterone level to elevate at higher levels.

The effort of McNair to influence the top officials of the league was a test on the leadership of Roger Goodell. The attempt to change their previous decision is a tough issue. It can become a precedent for other similar issues. After a few weeks, the league came out with an announcement regarding the appeal on the 4-game suspension.

“At the request of Texans owner Bob McNair, Commissioner Goodell reviewed additional medical information presented on behalf of Brian Cushing,” said in the NFL statement. The league maintained its position by enforcing the suspension of Brian Cushing for the first 4 games of the season. “The club and Cushing were notified today that after carefully considering all the information, including a review by outside medical experts, the Commissioner finds no basis for changing the decision that Mr. Cushing’s suspension for the first four games of the regular season remains in place.”

With the decision of the league, Brian Cushing can only play on October 10 when they meet the New York Giants. The team should just let other rookies to step up while Cushing is still suspended. This case should also serve as a warning to other players to be careful on what they ingest or take. Although Brian Cushing vehemently denied that he took any performance enhancing substance, the positive test was a clear proof that he ingested something. Though he may be telling the truth but people are already annoyed of this kind of alibi. There are so many professional players who used the same alibi but ended up admitting to steroid use.

The overtrained syndrome which Cushing claim is still a debatable issue and needs more scientific proof. But the elevated testosterone level caused by steroid use is more comprehensible than the former. The fertility drug which was found on Cushing system was commonly used in conjunction with steroid cycles. The HCG will help restart normal testosterone production which is often affected by long term anabolic steroids use.

The former USC Trojans’ involvement in steroid issues since high school is also another thing why many people believe he is really using steroids. While in a NFL combine, Cushing and Mathews were named by a website for failing a steroid test. However, the website was not able to show evidence on the allegation so they were forced to retract their statement. That time, the NFL was quick to defend the new prospects saying they did not fail any steroid test.

News about supplements being seized by health authorities is not unusual. The FDA has been issuing warning letters to inform the public of the dangers of taking tainted supplements. The agency is continuously identifying supplement products which contain ingredients that may pose some health risks or contain controlled substances. Since most of these products did not pass any FDA approval, the safety and effectiveness of the product is not guaranteed.

The agency is not alone in this effort to curtail the proliferation of tainted supplements in the market. Just recently, Health Canada seized several sexual enhancement products from an adult store in Vancouver due to an allegation that it contains steroids. This drug is a controlled substance in Canada and it can only be purchased with a valid prescription. Putting it in supplements will also make the product a regulated drug.

The supplement in question is the ExtenZe sexual enhancement pills for men and women. According to Health Canada both version of the supplement contains steroids. The health authority found out that the product contains the steroid DHEA which can cause higher-than-normal levels of male and female hormones. Dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA is naturally produced in the body but declines with age. DHEA is said to help slow down or reverse the signs of aging. Many professional athletes especially in baseball are taking this supplement. DHEA helps reduce fatigue and improve thinking difficulties.

It was also reported by the CBC News that Extenze contain another steroid pregnolone. This steroid can cause anger, anxiety, irritability and heart palpitations. A prescription substance was also found in the supplement. The prescription medication yohimbine which is said to treat erectile dysfunction is part of the composition of Extenze. The substance was extracted from yohimbe which may also cause side effects like anxiety, dizziness, and increased blood pressure.

Health Canada warns the public that this supplement can cause other health problems especially to those people with a history of abnormal heart rhythms, blood clotting disorder and liver disease. Consumers should consult a doctor immediately if they experience any side effects. Extenze can also interact with other medicines like anti-seizure drugs. The health agency said that the steroid content of the supplement can also increase the risk of hormonally based cancers such as breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers.

This supplement is not only sold in local health stores but also in online stores. It is still best to consult a health care professional before purchasing this supplement to avoid any adverse side effects. Health Canada already ordered the Canada Border Services Agency to prevent additional shipment of the supplement to the country.