I was recently going through an old issue of the Ring Magazine from 2005 when I noticed an article about high altitude training and blood doping. These are ways elite athletes train to help increase their endurance. Its an easy way or "quick fix"to better themselves in shorter periods of time and to gain an edge on their competition. However both have negative effects or downsides and blood doping can even be fatal. The benefits of both are increases in red blood cells which carry oxygen throughout the body so logically more red blood cells equals increased oxygen carrying capacity which results in better stamina. Altitude training leads to appetite supression and an increased metobolic rate which means any errors in nutritional intake can have adverse effects on the individual which can alter training results. Now blood doping is essentially athletes removing a unit of blood weeks before an event and then transfuse it back into their bodies just before the event when by this time the body has replced the lost unit in turn once again allowing for more red blood cells. However adverse effects here include blood thickening which causes sludge to build up in tiny arteries which could cause heart attacks.
Sudden death during sleep has also been linked to blood doping. The moral here being that there is always an adverse effect with regards to cheating. With athletes or people in general just trying to get fit or lose weight. People want the easy way out or that magic pill. Unfortunately there are none and the pills and supplements available have side effects. So in order to achieve results we must go through some pain or discomfort through good old hard work. Try it, it works and you'll feel better about your accomplishments in the end. Plus you're not putting your body at any risks.
-Live to train, train to live TIP