Letters to the Editor
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Steroids
King,
Great article. The bottom line with steroids is this, if you put an asterisk against the accomplishments of Bonds and others, then you must put one by all who have had "Tommy John" surgery, pretty much anyone who has had any surgery by Dr. James Andrews, anyone who has had arthroscopic surgery, used rehab techniques like sitting in a hyperbaric chamber while taking 10K grams of vitamin C intravenously, used current strength training techniques, or even consumed whey protein supplements. Just think what Mickey Mantle could have done with contemporary knee surgical procedures and rehabilitation. These are all modern medical advances and all provide a competitive advantage. Make steroids legal and control use by medical professionals. These medications were developed by the medical profession and can be incredibly helpful if not abused. As to the use by kids - anyone under the age of 18 should avoid like the plague since the endocrine system can be seriously affected. Talk to experts who have actually used or trained those who do - all others are bloviating blowhards who know nothing. The supposed health risks for mature adults are overblown. Arnold, Franco, and others took recommended dosages and cycled off while many users today never cycle off and take ten times recommended dosages. And BTW, don't we have a war in Iraq that politicians should be dealing with instead of sticking their noses in illegal drug use in sports?