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What are Natural Steroids?

Troy Holmes
Troy Holmes

Natural steroids are organic, fat-soluble compounds that have 17 carbon atoms, and which are structured in four distinct rings. Acting as hormones, they are not manufactured by people, but rather occur in plants, fungi and animals. Good examples are cholesterol, estrogen, testosterone and bile acids. The body uses substances called prohormones, which are contained in food, to make many types of them. Many athletes controversially look to supplement versions as an alternative to synthetic varieties that already are illegal, hoping to boost performance, but a number of areas, such as the United States, restrict or ban the use of these products due to potentially dangerous side effects.

Prevalence

Many natural steroids are sold as supplements.
Many natural steroids are sold as supplements.

These substances are extremely common in nature, and experts estimate that the number of natural steroids is in the hundreds. Some foods contain ones that are bioidentical to those found in the human body, meaning a person doesn’t need to convert them in order for them to provide a benefit. Milk, for instance, contains progesterone. Most are not in the form people need, however, and even when they are, the amount is generally small, so individuals rely to a great extent on prohormones.

Prohormones

Use of anabolic steroids is controversial.
Use of anabolic steroids is controversial.

Sometimes called hormone precursors, prohormones are substances that the body can use to make hormones. One of the most well-known examples is dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, which helps create androgen and estrogen. Others include dihydrotestosterone, androsterone, pregnenolone, androstenedione, hydroxyprogesterone, estriol and 17-alpha-estradiol. These substances are found in plants, animals and animal-based products. By consuming them in food, people and other organisms are able to synthesize many of the natural steroids they need, so prohormones are critical to staying healthy.

Main Types in People

Foods provide natural steroids.
Foods provide natural steroids.

In people, natural steroids generally fall into two major classes, including those produced by the adrenal glands and those made by the gonads. Adrenocortical steroids, for instance, belong to the former group and help reduce inflammation. Testosterone, estrogen and progesterone all belong to the latter category. The hypothalamus is responsible for controlling the production of these substances, sending signals to up the amount made when levels in the blood fall too low.

Use in Athletics

Muscle supplements are said to help naturally encourage the body's own muscle building process.
Muscle supplements are said to help naturally encourage the body's own muscle building process.

Certain types of natural steroids and prohormones are anabolic, helping the body heal and build new tissue, particularly muscle. Testosterone is the best example. In many regions and sports organizations, synthetic types are banned because of their dangerous side effects, and because they can provide what some individuals consider an unfair physical advantage. Many athletes are turning to natural versions as a result to get stronger or improve endurance, in part because they are available as supplements over the counter at local health food stores and pharmacies with no prescription required.

Controversy and Health Concerns

Anabolic steroids have a variety of negative side effects, including mood swings and impotence.
Anabolic steroids have a variety of negative side effects, including mood swings and impotence.

For optimal health, people need a delicate balance of different chemicals. When something throws off this balance, it can disrupt one or more physical processes or functions, resulting in unwanted side effects. One of the biggest criticisms of using natural steroids as supplements, therefore, is that they still can be dangerous, even though they are not synthetically made. Some individuals also point out that they are little different than the man-made types, in that they still produce the same ending results. Subsequently, organizations are beginning to ban many versions — prohormone use became illegal in the United States in 2004 with the Anabolic Steroid Control Act, for instance.

Sometimes enhanced by so-called "natural steroids," testosterone is mainly produced in men in the testicles.
Sometimes enhanced by so-called "natural steroids," testosterone is mainly produced in men in the testicles.

Examples of side effects reported from these substances include hormone-related cancers, mood swings, impotence, liver damage, heart disease and changes to secondary sex characteristics, such as facial hair. Even when these side effects do not pose a serious threat to health, they can be socially disrupting. Men who develop breasts, for example, can be ostracized by others, as can women whose voices drop.

Another big part of the controversy is that, understanding that foods are primary sources, supplements generally are not necessary if someone has a well-balanced, sufficient diet. Often, those who want to improve their physical appearance and performance can do so simply by changing what they eat. In general, the only time people truly need to take a commercial type is if they have a particular medical condition that makes it difficult for their bodies to make them, or that is resulting in the unwanted wasting of tissue.

Discussion Comments

anon998396

In the United States, possession and use of, pharmaceutical steroids, is legally the same as possession and use of heroin, morphine, cocaine, crack and all of the "street drugs" (the exception is marijuana as of late). Our prisons are full of people that have been "caught" using such drugs. But when it comes to illegal steroid use, well, we make an exception for athletes, and the sports institutions that publicly will oppose the use of, but then actually promote the use of illegal steroids behind closed doors, from junior high school, through high school and college. They are culpable and no better than street drug dealers. And then, when in professional sports, if caught using steroids, athletes receive a slap on the wrist, a "don't do that again" and then sent back onto the field.

Sports fans are the first to demand we lock up the druggies, and then turn a blind eye to the athletes that get caught.

anon935604

There are actually some amazing anabolic steroids in plants like spinach and quinoa. Of course, the best steroids are the ones naturally produced by the body in response to resistance training!

cmsmith10

@chrisinbama & calabama71: I see what you are getting at but there is also another way to look at it. The fact that these “role models” are getting busted for steroid use also lets the younger, high school age athletes know that it shouldn’t be done and that if they are caught using steroids, there are going to be consequences.

I read an article that stated that around 3% of teenage girls and 5% of teenage boys have used some form of anabolic steroids.

We should all be aware of the pressure that our kids deal with in athletic sports and make sure our children are not at risk.

calabama71

@chrisinbama: I completely agree with you. I think that physical education teachers in high schools should talk about steroids and give the harmful facts. I have seen many stories on the news about teenage athletes using steroids. Just because there are legal steroids doesn’t mean that they should use them. These “role models” who have been caught using steroids are, indeed, sending a message that using steroids gives athletes that competitive edge that they are looking for.

chrisinbama

With so many stories in the news about athletes and steroids, I feel as though it is sending a bad message to our teenagers that, if they want to be successful athletes, steroids are a great option. Everyone from professional cyclists, baseball players and track stars has gone down that path. They are supposed to be the ones that our young, rising stars look up to and they are setting a very bad example.

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    • Many natural steroids are sold as supplements.
      By: Bert Folsom
      Many natural steroids are sold as supplements.
    • Use of anabolic steroids is controversial.
      By: Csák István
      Use of anabolic steroids is controversial.
    • Foods provide natural steroids.
      By: vgstudio
      Foods provide natural steroids.
    • Muscle supplements are said to help naturally encourage the body's own muscle building process.
      By: Christopher Howey
      Muscle supplements are said to help naturally encourage the body's own muscle building process.
    • Anabolic steroids have a variety of negative side effects, including mood swings and impotence.
      By: Konstantin Tavrov
      Anabolic steroids have a variety of negative side effects, including mood swings and impotence.
    • Sometimes enhanced by so-called "natural steroids," testosterone is mainly produced in men in the testicles.
      By: Sebastian Kaulitzki
      Sometimes enhanced by so-called "natural steroids," testosterone is mainly produced in men in the testicles.