Congress to ban 55 specific steroid precursors

[Guest guest]

Our Government is once again deciding what supplements we can choose

from. Notice the headline states steroid Precursors. That is 55 substances

that

turn into steroids, not all steroids themselves.

 

One positive outcome is that DHEA is not included in the ban.

 

I am convinced the only reason DHEA is excluded is because they know Life

Extension Foundation would fight them and win.

 

Law suits do work.

 

It is hard for me to imagine why a Government official thinks he knows

better than me what I should have access to. Protect the people from themselves

at the cost of the lives of others who would be helped.

 

Stupidity abounds.

 

Chris

 

 

Original article:

http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/Article/88/99815.htm

 

 

 

 

'Andro' May Require a Doctor's Prescription

By Todd Zwillich

WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD

on Thursday, June 03, 2004

 

June 3, 2004 (Washington) -- House lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Thursday to

classify the dietary supplement androstenedione and dozens of other anabolic

steroid building blocks as controlled substances.

It would restrict the use of androstenedione -- known widely as " andro " -- to

patients who obtain a doctor's prescription. The move would allow the U.S.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to regulate these types of products as an

anabolic steroid under the Controlled Substances Act.

The bill also stiffens federal fines and jail times for anyone who

distributes or possesses steroids within 1,000 feet of a gym or other athletic

facility.

Androstenedione is a precursor to the male hormone testosterone, which

requires a doctor's prescription.

Andro made headlines in 1998 when it was revealed that homerun champ Mark

McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals used it as part of his training and

strength-building regimen. But researchers have cautioned against the use of the

popular

supplement. It also causes a host of health problems, including damage to

reproductive organs in men and masculinizing effects in women.

" We do not want these harmful substances around our gyms, baseball stadiums,

football fields or our running tracks. We do not want our athletes to risk

their health to win, " says Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), chairman of the

House Judiciary Committee and the bill's chief sponsor.

The Senate has yet to act on the legislation, and until it does, andro and

many other steroid precursors will remain technically legal.

The FDA cracked down on 23 known andro manufacturers in March, warning them

to stop distributing the chemical or face enforcement actions. Officials said

at the time that they were worried by 2002 federal data showing that one in 40

high school seniors had used andro within the last month.

DHEA Exempt

The bill designates more than 55 specific steroid precursors for

reclassification as controlled substances. A drug is classified as a controlled

substance

based upon the substance's medicinal value, harmfulness, and potential for

abuse or addiction. But the bill leaves out DHEA, a popular dietary supplement

that some athletes take to enhance performance or promote growth. DHEA is also a

steroid precursor.

That prompted criticism from some lawmakers, who maintained that it should be

included in the bill. DHEA is banned by both the NCAA and the World

Anti-Doping Agency.

" By specifically exempting DHEA, we are sending a signal to the American

public that DHEA is safe. This would be the wrong message, " says Rep. Henry

Waxman

(D-Calif.), who supported the bill.

Three lawmakers, including Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), voted against the

measure. " I've always said the federal government taxes and regulates too much,

and

this falls in to the 'regulates' part, " Flake tells WebMD.

 

 

 

SOURCES: Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. Rep.

Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.

 

 

© 2004 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.