There is so much information out there, especially on the web, that it's difficult to determine what contains opinions and what contains facts about steroids. Since steroids are such a controversial topic, there are often information posing as facts about steroids on both ends of the safety spectrum, but it's important to look at information and determine what contains true facts about steroids and what contains opinions and personal experiences since the use of steroids can be risky and can carry some serious health risks along with it.

The first facts about steroids that are important to know are what exactly steroids are. Steroids are man-made substances that emulate the male sex hormone, particularly testosterone. Include in the facts about steroids is the information about how testosterone works. Testosterone in the hormone in the body that is responsible for "instructing" the cells to make proteins which eventually become body tissues. The cells have "holes" called receptors. Testosterone fits into these receptors and the more receptors that are filled with testosterone, the more proteins the cells will make. Steroids act like testosterone and fill these receptors to instruct the cells to make protein. Important facts about steroids are that there are only so many receptors in the cells and once they are filled up, the cells reach their limit of protein production.

Facts about steroids show that they do work in building muscle mass and strength which can improve athletic performance and ability. They also reduce the recovery time from a workout which allows people to train harder. That's what makes them so desirable. However, facts about steroids also show the possibility of side effects that could potentially be life threatening. These side effects include kidney and liver damage, elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels and the possibility for cardiovascular damage. Studies have also proven these facts about steroids and steroid use: High doses of steroids can cause acne, jaundice, premature balding, alteration of natural hormone production in the body.