Supplements are supposed to be taken to make up for a deficiency in some aspect of a person's diet. For example, if someone does not like milk and does not eat any foods that contain calcium, they could take a calcium supplement. But, athletes use supplements to lose body fat and gain muscle and strength. Once favored primarily by gung-ho body builders, products that purportedly add muscle and increase strength are now being snapped up by weekend athletes hoping to stay in top form, as well as older adults wanting to stay toned and healthy as they age ("Drugs" 8). These sports supplements are not being used correctly, and this causes problems down the road for users.

The use of androstenedione is banned in almost every professional sport, the NCAA, and the Olympics, but not in professional baseball. There needs to be a uniform drug policy throughout all sports, not just certain ones. The use of sports supplements such as androstenedione or creatine is dangerous, and these drugs should require a prescription to obtain. The people who are using them are misinformed about the side effects that they might have. Athletes are willing to sacrifice their health and well being by taking androstenedione or creatine, in order to perform outstandingly for one season. The United States and the professional sports organizations need to tighten up legislation regarding these drugs. If nothing is done about this, many people will develop serious medical problems.

One of the most famous cases of sports supplements use was Mark McGwire. Dr. Gary Wadler, an American expert in sports-related drug use said, "baseball's new Sultan of Swing, Mark McGwire, was 'living on' creatine as he chased Babe Ruth's home run record this summer" (Sibbald 1). McGwire was also taking andro, and the combination of these two supplements probably helped him to achieve his goal of the home run record. Even the people using it know that it is wrong to take it. It gives them an unfair advantage over the people who care about their health and body and do not want to harm themselves on purpose. "McGwire was furious when word leaked out last season he was using it" (Loony 12). Famous athletes who are role models to little kids should not be doing things that they are going to be ashamed of, or want to cover up. McGwire obviously knew that it was wrong to take the supplement, especially since he is a role model. Once the season was over, and he broke the homerun record and got his name in the books, McGwire stopped taking andro. "... A few days ago he told reporters in St. Louis he stopped using andro four months ago. The main reason for his behavior reversal: 'Young kids take it because of me. I don't like that'" (Loony 12). McGwire was right, kids do take it because of him. Reports say that the sale of andro increased by over 500% after word came out that he was using the supplement (Loony 12). One can only hope that the kids will again follow his lead and stop taking this harmful drug. Mark McGwire is not the only professional athlete who is taking dangerous supplements. Michelle Smith de Bruin of Ireland won three gold medals in the Atlanta Olympics. Quite an accomplishment? Maybe if she had done it without the use of andro. She was banned from swimming for four years because of it. She ended up appealing the drug charges, but was not taken seriously because she spiked her urine sample with alcohol.

Some common words found in the essay are:
, Medical Association, Wadler American, Androstenedione Andro, Babe Ruth's, ATP Theoretically, Nutrition Center, NCAA Olympics, Sports Medicine, St Louis, sports supplements, increase strength, sibbald 2, mark mcgwire, testosterone levels, negative effects, taking supplement, loony 12, drugs 8, body fat, wadler american expert, home run record, lose body fat, american expert sports-related, body fat gain,
Approximate Word count = 1831
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)