Using Weight Loss Steroid Treatment for People With HIV/AIDS
Weight loss steroids are being used as a way to ensure that people who suffer from AIDS or HIV are gaining rather than losing weight. For many years now bodybuilders have used steroids as a way of building up muscle, however, it is only in recent years that it has been found that they can build up lean muscle tissue in people who have contracted AIDS.
Not controlled studies have ever been carried out to see what effect steroids do in fact have on people with HIV, although there has been one pilot study undertaken in London at the Kobler Centre. Here the participants were required to take a low dose of the Stanozolol steroid for a given period. Half of those participating when then required to do some weight training each day and the other half did not need to do anything.
For those who were taking the drug along with exercising in a six week period found that that they gained 4kg during that time. Whilst for those who did no exercise but took the drugs their weight was maintained. After the treatment was completed most lost on average a kilogram of weight which was put down to water retention. So for those who both took the steroid and exercised overall they gained an extra 3kg of weight.
The problem with this particular study is no people were asked to exercise but not take the steroids. So at the end there is no evidence to show that the weight people gained was through the steroids or the exercise. However, it does suggest that exercise is crucial as part of any plan where we are trying to prevent weight loss.
The kinds of steroids that are used in medications prescribed to HIV and AIDS patients are those which are classed as being corticosteroids like hydrocortisone or prednisolone. These although different from steroids which bodybuilders use can affect the way in which the body functions.
We are constantly being made aware of the effect that steroids can have on the human body. One such risk is that steroids can actually lead to damage to the liver which can prove fatal in some cases. However, this is dependent on the amount used and for how long a person uses them for. But injecting steroids rather than taking them orally has been proved to be one way that won’t cause as much harm to the liver.
The problem with many steroids is that they affect a person’s mood, energy and appetite levels, in ways that are not always for the best. These medications increase male hormone levels in the body and can sometimes amplify a person’s aggressive side. These people may become angry much more quickly and can react aggressively even though the provocation may be very small.
But along with weight loss steroid treatments being used to ensure a good level of weight is maintained in people with HIV or AIDS other drugs may be used. Sometimes ones like Megestrol Acetate are used as they help to increase a person’s appetite. Which when used help to increase weight by increasing the lean muscle mass.