Signed,
Interested

Clenbuterol (with a "c," not a "k") sparked a good deal of interest after two American athletes tested positive for the drug at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and were banned from competing. Marketed in Europe as an asthma medication under the brand name Spiropent, clenbuterol is an anabolic steroid that is illegal in the United States. Chemically, clenbuterol is a beta(2)-agonist and is classified as a stimulant. When inhaled, clenbuterol fights asthma by opening the bronchial tubes, easing the breathing process. Some studies show that the drug can help a person to breathe more easily and bulk up at the same time: oral use of the drug can increase muscle mass and strength while reducing body fat, hence its popularity at gyms around the country. Other studies, performed on animals, suggest that increased muscle mass may be accompanied by more rapid muscle failure during a workout. Increased muscle tremors can be another side effect, and athletes have been known to go off of the drug as a result.

Alice doesn't support preaching and aims to give readers facts, info, and resources needed to make healthy decisions. But these alone are insufficient. They need to be presented within a context. Since so many unknowns are associated with clenbuterol (both in its effects and its unregulated importation), it's recommended that you proceed with caution. If you are a Columbia student who wants more information, make an appointment with Health Services at Columbia by dialing x4-2284, or schedule one with your own health care provider, who may be able to prescribe something available in the U.S. that would have similar desired effects for you. Consulting a personal trainer or exercise physiologist as well as a nutritionist can also help you to reach your bodybuilding goals more safely.

For more information about clenbuterol, visit the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) web site.

Alice

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