THE DARK SIDE OF BODY BUILDING

Till a few months back, my 28-year-old neighbour was jubilant as his parents had finally gave him the nod for an inter-religious marriage. The wedding was in late 2012 and preparations were on full swing for the sagan which was scheduled to take place in July had to be postponed because the groom to be fell ill and had to hospitalized.

A week later while the doctors were still trying to diagnose the cause, he died… months away from his marriage.

The news left our neighbourhood shocked and the family traumatised. However, the only thing that overshadowed the young man’s death, was the cause—anabolic steroids used for body building.

Though, people spoke in hushed tones, it was clear that the deceased’s liver had been severely affected by the steroids taken over a period of six months as he wanted to impress his bride.

Sadly, according to experts, an ever-increasing number of physique-conscious boys and men are taking anabolic steroids to buff their bodies for several reasons like an aspiration to join showbiz or just to impress the other sex.

Having a toned body is a fad nowadays for youth and because of this, the number of youth taking supplements are on the rise, said a senior consultant at a prominent hospital in south Delhi.

Meanwhile, the premium as well as affordable gymnasiums around the city are leaving no stone unturned to promote these steroids due to the huge profits. The gyms are more than willing to provide the steroids if you have the money.

A popular gym in west Delhi suggested capsules, a box that would last around three weeks for Rs.5,000, which would "burn fat and turn them into muscles in a month's time."

Another gym in south Delhi suggested shakes that would increase stamina, resulting in longer workout sessions. Questions on side effects or withdrawal symptoms were simply ridiculed.

But are all people so dumb that they would risk their lives for some doley-sholey?

Well, in several cases especially involving teenagers, steroids are given by trainers in the garb of health supplements as they produce dramatic results. So, fake supplements mixed with steroids are promoted.

With good quality protein supplement priced anything between Rs.3,000 and 4,000 for a 2.5 kilo pack, the copy of that same product is available in the grey market for around Rs. 1,000. The huge margins of profit are more than even the gym fees.

The solution, experts feel, is to urgently spread awareness on the issue as not many who suffer due to steroid abuse come out in the open as it is embarrassing for many to admit that they wrecked their kidneys or liver with steroids because they wanted a muscular body.