Update On Merriman's Failed Drug Test

Okay kids, here is the latest on Shawne Merriman and his failed drug test and subsequent suspension. Merriman is appealing his suspension so he will continue to practice and play for the Chargers. The reason for the appeal? Merriman’s attorney David Cornwell said he believed Merriman tested positive for the steroid nandrolone, which is prohibited under the league's substance-abuse policy. Cornwell said the substance was in a supplement Merriman has been taking. So Merriman and his lawyer are appealing his suspension due to the fact that they claim Merriman tested positive not due to steroid abuse but rather because he took a tainted substance. Which as I reported yesterday here on Silva Sportz totally contradicts what Merriman says on his own website where he says that he is not taking any supplements at this time. But back to the issue of Merriman saying he took a “tainted” substance. Could an athlete really give a positive steroid test due to a supplement he/she is taking? Well before I answer that, let me give you some background on nandrolone, the substance Merriman tested positive for. Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid (a muscle-building chemical) which occurs naturally in the human body, but only in tiny quantities. It is very similar in structure to the male hormone testosterone, and has many of the same effects in terms of increasing muscle mass, without some of the more unwanted side-effects such as increased body hair or aggressive behavior. For an excellent further explanation, read here. But back to the point of testing positive for nandrolone due to supplements. Merriman is not the first athlete busted to make this claim. Olympic sprinters, boxers, and several other athletes that have failed drug tests claim that the nandrolone in their system arose from the use of protein milkshakes and the amino acid creatine, which are perfectly legal and used as dietary supplements to increase weight. This is essentially what Merriman is now claiming. So could he be correct? In 2000, Aberdeen University conducted a preliminary investigation that found that dietary supplements themselves are harmless and produce no increased levels of nandrolone. Exercise alone, too, doesn't cause any problems. But a combination of both dietary supplements (none of which contain a banned substance) and exercise can result in a positive nandrolone test. The reason for this is still unclear, but one theory is that there is a link between heavy training, the dehydration that goes with it, and their effects upon the components of high protein diets. However this is not conclusive, so there is still many unknown facts about nandrolone. In my opionion, Merriman’s suspension will stick. We will never know if he intentionally took the steroid or his test was due to an accident. Either way Merriman’s reputation has definitely take a hit and he has a lot or work to do to clean up his now tarnished image. However, I’m sure for Charger fans a deep play-off run would help.

More on Nandrolone (Wikipedia)