- With Mayo Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
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Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
Dr. Edward Laskowski is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, including subspecialty certification in sports medicine, and is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. He is co-director of the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center and a professor at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic.
He has been on the staff of Mayo Clinic since 1990 and specializes in sports medicine, fitness, strength training and stability training. He works with a multidisciplinary team of physical medicine, rehabilitation and orthopedic specialists, physical therapists, and sports psychologists.
Dr. Laskowski is an elite-level skier and an avid hiker, cyclist and climber. He approaches sports medicine from the perspective of a physician and an athlete.
In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Dr. Laskowski to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and he has received a Distinguished Service Award from the Department of Health and Human Services for his contribution to the Council.
Dr. Laskowski was a member of the medical staff of the Olympic Polyclinic at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and has provided medical coverage for the Chicago Marathon. He serves as a consulting physician to the National Hockey League Players' Association and is a featured lecturer at the American College of Sports Medicine's Team Physician Course.
Dr. Laskowski, a Cary, Ill., native, has contributed to Mayo Clinic's CD-ROM on sports, health and fitness, a website guide to self-care, and hundreds of Mayo Clinic articles and booklets in print and online. He is a contributing editor to the "Mayo Clinic Fitness for EveryBody" book, and he has presented lectures throughout the world on health, fitness and sports medicine topics. His teaching expertise has been recognized by his election to the Teacher of the Year Hall of Fame at Mayo Clinic.
"There are many myths and misconceptions about exercise and fitness in general, and also many traditions that don't stand up to scientific scrutiny," he says. "My goal is to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information on sports medicine and fitness topics in a way that you can practically incorporate into your life."
Fitness basics (5)
- Body fat analyzers: How accurate are they?
- Heart rate: What's normal?
- Do toning shoes really work?
- see all in Fitness basics
Aerobic exercise (11)
- Barefoot running shoes: Better than traditional running shoes?
- Weighted hula hoops: Hoopla or good exercise?
- Elliptical machines: Better than treadmills?
- see all in Aerobic exercise
Strength training (9)
- Isometric exercises: Good for strength training?
- Weight training: Free weights vs. machine weights
- Weightlifting belt: Do I need one?
- see all in Strength training
Sports nutrition (2)
- 'Natural' steroids: Are they safe?
- Energy drinks: Do they really boost energy?
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Question
'Natural' steroids: Are they safe?
Is it safe to take the natural steroids sold at health food stores?
Answer
from Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
So-called "natural" steroids, which are sold as over-the-counter supplements at many health food stores, aren't safe. Because natural steroids contain "natural" substances that aren't chemically altered, they can be marketed as dietary supplements — which are subject to limited regulation by the Food and Drug Administration. Still, they can have the same harmful effects as synthetic steroids.
Although prescription steroids have legitimate medical uses, it's important to remember that steroids of any type have significant risks. When used inappropriately, steroids can cause various long-lasting or irreversible health problems, including:
- Mood swings, aggression and violent behavior
- Acne
- Baldness
- Sexual dysfunction or infertility
- Increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol
- Decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Liver damage
If you're hoping to increase strength and build muscle, don't count on "natural" steroids or other medications. Eat a healthy diet and include regular strength training in your workout routine.
Next questionEnergy drinks: Do they really boost energy?
- Hoffman JR, et al. Performance-enhancing substances. In: Baechle TR, et al. Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. 3rd ed. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics; 2008:179.
- Snyder PJ. Use of androgens and other drugs by athletes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 8, 2009.
- Public health advisory: The FDA recommends that consumers should not use body building products marketed as containing steroids or steroid-like substances. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PublicHealthAdvisories/ucm173935.htm. Accessed Sept. 8, 2009.
- Fernandez MMF, et al. Performance-enhancing drugs snare nonathletes, too. Journal of Family Practice. 2009;58:16.
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