News reports have linked the drug Clenbuterol to cheating athletes and human illness. What is Clenbuterol? Does it have any authorized uses? What allure does Clenbuterol have for such diverse users?
Clenbuterol, a Villain in Sports News
In early February 2012, Alberto Contador was stripped of his 2010 Tour de France victory. The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the clearance providing Contador by the Spanish Racing Federation over allegations he had used Clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour de France.
Contador claimed he must have ingested the drug by eating contaminated meat. While the Spanish Cycling Federation accepted that defense, it was appealed and ultimately overturned.
Another cyclist, Li Fuyu of the Radioshack team, tested positive for Clenbuterol in 2010. Also in 2010, at least one American minor league baseball player was suspended for using this "performance-enhancing substance".
In 2011, several Mexican soccer players tested positive for Clenbuterol. Their claim of being the innocent victims of eating contaminated meat was considered more plausible than Contador's, since there seems to be an ongoing problem with enforcing Mexico's farming regulations.
What is Clenbuterol?
Clenbuterol hydrochloride is a member of the family of adrenergic drugs, so named because they stimulate the adrenal system.
This family of drugs has a number of medically approved uses in treating allergic shock, bronchial asthma, cardiac arrest, decongesting nasal passages and suppressing appetite.
Does Clenbuterol have Medical Approval?
In both North America and Europe, Clenbuterol hydrochloride is not approved for human medical treatment, and is restricted in veterinary medicine.
In some countries it is approved as a veterinary drug: for treating asthma in horses, for example. In the USA, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) prohibits treating "any food-producing animal" with Clenbuterol.
The international athletics community has banned the use of Clenbuterol by any athletes.
The Beneficial Effects of Clenbuterol
Perhaps first noticed as a Clenbuterol side effect, extended use leads to weight loss and an improvement in the ratio of muscle to fat.
Kearns et al had reported this as a side effect when treating horses for breathing difficulties, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They found that long term use of clenbuterol causes the "repartitioning of nutrients", leading to more muscle and reduced fat.
That report also referred to previous studies in which animals raised for human consumption converted their food into meat more efficiently. This is why farmers would want to administer Clenbuterol to their animals: so they will gain lean weight more quickly.
People who take Clenbuterol find it easier to lose weight. Athletes are able to increase their ratio of muscle to fat.
Clenbuterol Side Effects and Concerns
Clenbuterol-tainted meat has been blamed for human medical complaints of high blood pressure and rapid pulse, vomiting and muscle cramps. These symptoms may also be seen as side effects of Clenbuterol in people who take this drug directly.
It is easier to find information about the medical side effects on show horses than on humans, since there are few legitimate veterinary uses and fewer university medical studies on people.
Dieters and body builders might search for Clenbuterol reviews or advice on effective Clenbuterol dosage and program cycles. However, one risk of using an unlicensed drug is that the provider is acting outside of legal boundaries and professional ethics. As some elite athletes have learned, even inadvertent use of Clenbuterol may have serious undesirable consequences.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
References:
- Charles E. Ophardt, Elmhurst College, "Adrenergic Drugs I", c. 2003, referenced Feb. 7, 2012.
- Cycling News, "CAS sanction Contador with two year ban in clenbuterol case", Feb. 6, 2012, referenced Feb. 7, 2012.
- Cycling News, "Radioshack suspends Li after doping positive", April 23, 2010, referenced Feb. 7, 2012.
- MLB Press Release, "Three Minor League players suspended", Sept. 30, 2010, referenced Feb. 7, 2012.
- US FDA, "Food Animal Residue Avoidance & Depletion Program", 2012, referenced Feb. 7, 2012.
- Kearns et al in the Journal of Applied Physiology, "Chronic administration of therapeutic levels of clenbuterol acts as a repartitioning agent", Dec. 21, 2000 through July 13 2001, referenced Feb. 7, 2012.
- PRI's The World, "Mexican Soccer Players Blame the Beef", June 10, 2011, referenced Feb. 7, 2012.
Mike DeHaan - Copyright (c) Mike DeHaan, B. Math., of DeHaan Services. Well written and well researched freelance articles; ghost writing for clients.
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