Athletes Avoid Steroids

by David Bradley

Natural born painkillers for athletic support

Steroids aren't only about pumping up muscles and boosting performance. The so-called corticosteroids, unlike the anabolic steroids, have entirely legitimate uses as anti-inflammatory painkillers, to help sports people recover from injury, and in the treatment of asthma and other disorders. But, there are known side effects such as easy bruising, weight gain and osteoporosis associated with long-term high dose use. It seems more and more athletes are throwing out their steroids and turning to "natural" therapies.

With more and more athletes turning to the likes of homeopathy, science writer David Bradley offers a review of the claims of this alternative therapy.