The results of the heavy metals tests in recent revealed that 21% of anabolic steroid products from underground labs were contaminated with toxic heavy metals. Some more health conscious steroid users are also concerned about potential health risks arising from the contamination of UGL(underground lab) steroid products with bateria and/or heavy metals. Fortunately, bacterial contamination is not a common problem since most UGLs effectively sterilize the product by adding ingredients such as benzyl alcohol, etc. However, few people have actually considered the potential toxicity of using anabolic steroids contaminated with heavy metals. Given that most of the steroid powder is illicitly imported from China, the possibility of contamination with lead, tin, mercury, arsenic, etc. is a real possibility.
The main threats to human health from heavy metals are associated with exposure to lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic. These metals have been extensively studied and their effects on human health regularly reviewed by international bodies such as the WHO.
Cigarette smoking is a major source of cadmium exposure. While for bodybuilders, steroid is the most important source of cadmium exposure.
Recent data indicated that cadmium exposure may cause kidney damage. The first sign of the renal lesion is usually a tubular dysfunction, evidenced by an increased excretion of low molecular weight proteins. It has been suggested that the tubular damage is reversible, but there is overwhelming evidence that the cadmium induced tubular damage is indeed irreversible. Another recent case-control study investigated the mercury levels were still associated with the risk of coronary heart disease.
Inorganic arsenic is acutely toxic and intake of large quantities leads to gastrointestinal symptoms, severe disturbances of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, and eventually death. In survivors, bone marrow depression, haemolysis, hepatomegaly, melanosis, polyneuropathy and encephalopathy may be observed. Ingestion of inorganic arsenic may induce peripheral vascular disease, which in its extreme form leads to gangrenous changes (black foot disease, only reported in Taiwan).
The main threats to human health from heavy metals are associated with exposure to lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic. These metals have been extensively studied and their effects on human health regularly reviewed by international bodies such as the WHO.
Cigarette smoking is a major source of cadmium exposure. While for bodybuilders, steroid is the most important source of cadmium exposure.
Recent data indicated that cadmium exposure may cause kidney damage. The first sign of the renal lesion is usually a tubular dysfunction, evidenced by an increased excretion of low molecular weight proteins. It has been suggested that the tubular damage is reversible, but there is overwhelming evidence that the cadmium induced tubular damage is indeed irreversible. Another recent case-control study investigated the mercury levels were still associated with the risk of coronary heart disease.
Inorganic arsenic is acutely toxic and intake of large quantities leads to gastrointestinal symptoms, severe disturbances of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, and eventually death. In survivors, bone marrow depression, haemolysis, hepatomegaly, melanosis, polyneuropathy and encephalopathy may be observed. Ingestion of inorganic arsenic may induce peripheral vascular disease, which in its extreme form leads to gangrenous changes (black foot disease, only reported in Taiwan).
