Synthetic steroids are those produced artificially by pharmaceutical industries. One example is Stanozolol, an anabolic steroid used to make it easier for gym goers and sportspeople to gain muscle.
Stanozolol
Excess consumption of this steroid is prohibited by sports organizations, as it puts the user at an advantage over other competitors. A remarkable fact occurred in the 1988 Olympics when the sportsman Ben Johnson, after winning the 100-meter dash race, was disqualified from the competition. The reason? It has everything to do with the present context.
Ben Johnson used anabolic steroids to intensify his physical strength, which is not valid in sports, where the motto is to compete on equal terms. The steroid he took, Stanozolol, was identified through a urine test. Currently, there is the anti-doping test, the most modern and efficient method to detect the use of synthetics (drugs in general).
Synthetic steroids can bring serious consequences to the body, including liver and kidney paralysis, hypertension, cancer and in extreme cases, sudden death. The use of anabolic steroids in women is more visible due to changes: hair growth, voice changes, muscle gain, etc.
On the other hand, there are steroids essential to our survival and that are naturally present in our body, such as cholesterol (Ç27H46O).
Cholesterol
This natural steroid is produced in the liver and one of its functions is to compose the structure of cell membranes. On the other hand, the excess of this substance in our body can bring serious health problems, one of them is the obstruction of the arteries, a disease known as atherosclerosis.
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By Líria Alves
Graduated in Chemistry
Brazil School Team
Organic chemistry - Chemistry - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUZA, Líria Alves de. "Natural and synthetic steroids"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/esteroides-naturais-sinteticos.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
