Stay Away From the "Andro"

"Andro" supplements contain androstenediol and androstenedione, the building blocks for the male hormone testosterone. Proponents of andro claim that it increases testosterone production, fueling corresponding increases in muscle growth and mass. Although andro is classified as a dietary supplement and is readily available on line and in many nutrition stores across the country, the Olympic Committee, the NCCA, the NFL, and the ATP have all banned the controversial substance.

You may remember the furor surrounding baseball slugger Mark McGuire's use of andro back in 1998. Critics wondered if the supplement gave him an unfair boost in his quest to beat Roger Maris' "unbeatable" home run record. Doubtful, say the authors of a literature review published in the Journal of Sports Chiropractic and Rehabilitation. According to the authors:

• The literature does not support the claim that androstenedione or androstenediol can elevate testosterone levels, particularly at lower dosages.
• A large quantity of research has found no performance enhancement benefits when taking recommended dosages of the substance.
• Numerous side-effects have been attributed to andro supplementation, including increased levels of female hormones (estrogen); decreased high-density lipoproteins (the "good" cholesterol); and adiposity (increased fat retention).

Reference: Bradley-Popovich GE, Mohr CR. Androstenedione and adrostenediol in sport: a brief review of safety and efficacy. Journal of Sports Chiropractic and Rehabilitation 2001: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp20-25