Drugs and Suppplements in Masters

Sam, Certainly, individuals taking hardcore muscle building illegal supplements for purely medical reasons as prescribed by their physicians would seem to be exempt from the discussion. One would assume that no one would want to trade places with them given a physical ailment that required taking the drugs. The topic in that thread was more intended around the use of drugs in sports at a masters level for alreay "healthy" participants. Creatine is an interesting topic. I've used it myself about 4 years ago. I found it "energetic" in the water but offered no substantial or lasting strength gains. As I remember my bench press went up about 10-15 lbs. but that was about it. The side effects for me were absolutely miserable and I couldn't continue using it. I'd venture to guess that many participants (particularly the sprinters) were using creatine at Worlds. Creatine (while debatably cheating) is a more of rounding error compared to the supplements I previously listed. As we all know now, over the counter (GNC related) supplements are not as effective when compared to the techology of Balco like created solutions. Good question .... where does one draw the line? John Smith

If they ever test for Motrin and Starbucks double shots I'm out. John Smith

I think it depends on why people are taking it. There are legitimate reasons to take HGH or other supplements for valid medical causes. By definition, I think they were created for valid reasons. Lots of drugs/supplements have very useful medical purposes, but sadly devolve into being abused for incorrect reasons. I don't think there is any doubt that people in all types of sports use them, the question you have to ask is why they are being used. When you get down to it, there are no banned substances technically so no rules are being broken.

Pariahs or Pioneers????????? Are those Masters Swimmers who are on injectable or oral Human Growth Hormone and or Testosterone patches pariahs or pioneers? Research on the affects of aging has exploded in the last ten years. Major areas of interest are on naturally occuring hormones that go on a steady decline after the 20's. There are longevity clinics run by licensed medical doctors popping up all over the West coast and elsewhere. Recent research at IU has shown that swimming alone seems to allow folks to age better, if not longer. Recent research also has shown that HGH supplementation may allow one to age better. Why not combine the two in the never ending pusuit of the fountain of youth? No money in this for masters competitors who use and are breaking World Records? Guess again. If I were running a major longevity clinic I would get one of these guys on my add campaign so fast your head wouldn't even have a chance to spin. That kind of PR would be worth paying at least 100,000 grand a year to my clinic. Anyone ever hear of a company called Pfizer? They have recently developed a pill that has been proven to trigger increased HGH production in humans. It is called Capromorelin. Merck is experimenting with a similar compound. This class of drugs may also increase IGF-1 as well. How much would Pfizer pay to have a ripped, 60 year old world record holder in its tv adds? Do any of you know anyone who could fit this bill? Remember that these are naturally occuring hormones, not anabolic steroid compounds. Moreover, the hormone levels they are talking about are not grossly high. These are hormone replacement levels geared to get levels back up to what they were in the 20's. So, to answer my own question- only time will tell. The more I learn about this, the more fascinating it becomes. Google will get those of you who are interested, quickly up to speed. Alan

Originally posted by Racer X Remember that these are naturally occuring hormones, not anabolic steroid compounds. Moreover, the hormone levels they are talking about are not grossly high. These are hormone replacement levels geared to get levels back up to what they were in the 20's. Estrogen is naturally occurring also, hence the rationale for hormone relacemnt therapy in women: If estrogen levels decline in women after menopause, replacement should be safe and beneficial. Large studies have since demonstrated the significant risks associated with this strategy. Longterm treatment with hGH in adults may be carcinogenic and/or contribute to diabetes and hypertension. Complex natural processes like aging do not lend themselves to intuitively "obvious" solutions.

Good points Craig, As I said, time will tell. Meanwhile, there are risks and benefits to everything in life. Each individual should decide for themselves if the benefit is worth the risk. The entire pharmaceutical industry is based on this premise. The ED drugs, just as an isolated example, have some potentially major side effects associated with them, and yet, they are a billion dollar a year industry. Men have decided with their wallets, that the potential risks are "small" when compared to the "large" benefits:D The ability to have an erection improves the aging male's sense of well being. So too may the affects of HGH supplementation. Neither are necessary for survival. Enhancing the quality of life after 20 seems to be a worthwhile goal- in more ways than one.

I'm 57 and had my serum testosterone checked at my last Physical.It was normal, but if it wasn't would I be cheating to get a supplement? Better yet,would I want to as there are NO long term studies on safety? Female hormones seemed safe for most women and then they did the long term studies and now it's not so clear. ( The situation for women is even less clear than the media suggests There are no long term studies on the use of human estrogen and progesterone. The big studies are on PremPro which is equine estrogen and progestin a synthetic coumpound. Some research suggests human estrogen and progesterone may be more benign. Premarin, the Prem in PremPro stands for "Pregnant Mare Urine" from which it is derived.)

I spoke with an amatuer triathlete friend of mine yesterday. He stated that he knows several other triathletes in the 35-45 age groups who are deliberately trying to raise their Human Growth Hormone levels by working out the AM, then napping, then working out again in the afternoon. Human Growth hormone peaks when we sleep. This technique seems very similar to the -sleeping in the hypoxic tent to get the hematocrit up without taking Epogen trick- doesn't it? I just have to throw in the old "how do you make a hormone?" joke here. Forget to pay her. Alan

There are so many good answers to that joke Racer X ....but unfortunately I can't write any of them down. BTW I'm digging your forum name....I was a speed racer junkie as a kid and racer X was just too cool! Newmastersswimmer

I'm a druggie 5 meds, plus 2 kinds of pain killers, my coffee are you going to ban me???