Dangerous Medicine: What to Know About Performance-Enhancing Drugs

The perfect physique sometimes comes at a cost.

A Dangerous Choice - Over the years, the reputation of professional baseball has had its fair share of controversy as a number of high-profile players have admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). This week, Major League Baseball suspended Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun for the rest of the 2013 season over a violation of the league's drug policy. Keep reading for a closer look at PEDs, their risks and how some athletes are cheating the system. — Britt Middleton  (Photo: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
Other MLB Players Under Investigation - Braun is one of a dozen players, including Alex Rodriguez, under investigation for ties to an anti-aging clinic in Florida that is accused of distributing performance-enhancing drugs. (Photo: AP Photo/PennLive.com, Christine Baker)
Anabolic Steroids - Also known as anabolic-androgen steroids, some athletes take this hormone to increase their muscle mass and strength. (Photo: Roland Weihrauch DPA /LANDOV)Going to the Extremes to Get in Shape - While some health experts believe popular home fitness routines such as P90X and Insanity are safe, they warn sedentary folks that doing too much too soon may cause injuries, writes the Grio. Not to mention you might lose interest because the workouts are just too hard. Their advice: Start slow.  (Photo: Anderson Ross/Getty Images)

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A Dangerous Choice - Over the years, the reputation of professional baseball has had its fair share of controversy as a number of high-profile players have admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). This week, Major League Baseball suspended Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun for the rest of the 2013 season over a violation of the league's drug policy. Keep reading for a closer look at PEDs, their risks and how some athletes are cheating the system. — Britt Middleton (Photo: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

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