In a recent newsletter, sports medicine expert, Dr Gabe Mirkin, discussed findings of a study which found unusually low bone densities in professional cyclists. It is now his opinion that this may be due to the abuse of drugs such as prednisone, cortisone and asthma medication (glucocorticoids). (I have copied the section of Dr Mirkin's article and a link to his site at the end of this article).
While these drugs may enhance performance, the down-side is calcium is driven out of the bones and into the circulation, including soft tissues. This is seen in a hair tissue mineral analysis as elevated calcium and on a bioelectric impedence analysis as low bone mass (This is measured using the Salter 9106 Scales).
My main concern is for the hundreds of thousands of ordinary New Zealanders who are unwittingly taking these steroids and not aware of the serious long term damage. Prednisone and cortisone are without doubt the most harmful in terms of speed; but "mild" versions, including "preventer" asthma medication, causes untold damage to health, much of which may not be apparent until decades later. The damage I see includes:
While these drugs may enhance performance, the down-side is calcium is driven out of the bones and into the circulation, including soft tissues. This is seen in a hair tissue mineral analysis as elevated calcium and on a bioelectric impedence analysis as low bone mass (This is measured using the Salter 9106 Scales).
My main concern is for the hundreds of thousands of ordinary New Zealanders who are unwittingly taking these steroids and not aware of the serious long term damage. Prednisone and cortisone are without doubt the most harmful in terms of speed; but "mild" versions, including "preventer" asthma medication, causes untold damage to health, much of which may not be apparent until decades later. The damage I see includes:
- Osteoporosis. Sometimes apparent less than 30 years of age.
- Joint arthritis. Some cases requiring joint replacement. Some cases less than 30 years age.
- Constant bruising.
- Constant muscle tears sprains and strains.
- Fragile, thin skin.
- Premature ageing.
- Poor healing.
- Extreme fatigue, including "brain fog".
- Fibromyalgia and Polymyalgia.
- Cardiovascular disease due to calcium deposition in the blood vessels.
- Digestive disorders.
- Weight gain.
- Fluid retention, lymphoedema.
- Emotional fragility, including depression.
There are solutions which include careful weaning of a person off these steroids. Cortisone is produced by the adrenal cortex. Incidentally, the adrenals produce more than 90 different steroidal hormones. It is very arrogant for us to believe that we can do better than these amazing glands by bombing the body with synthetic variants. Weaning a person off steroids focuses on restoring healthy adrenal function.
For detailed information about adrenal function, go to www.adrenalfatigue.co.nz and then get hold of me if you need help. I am a registered practitioner with this organisation.
Dr Mirkin's article and website link are below...
