Bodybuilding drugs sold online often contain unapproved substances, study says

IF YOU get your bodybuilding supplements online, you might want to reconsider your choice following the findings of a concerning new study.

BUYING bodybuilding supplements online might be a way to save yourself some money, but you could actually be doing yourself more harm than good.

This is the finding of a new study, which tested 44 products marketed as non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) — supplements which help build muscle by mimicking the effect of testosterone.

Study co-author Dr Shalender Bhasin said the discovery was troubling for the fitness industry.

“Our findings show that people should be extremely careful about using these unapproved drugs purchased over the internet not only because these drugs can have harmful effects on their health, but also because the labels cannot be trusted and many products may contain other chemicals not listed on the label whose safety is unknown,” he said.

Researchers found only about half of the 44 products purchased online actually contained SARMs, with 59 per cent containing more or less than the advertised amounts of certain ingredients.

Even more concerning was one in four products contained ingredients that weren’t on the label.

Researchers found only about half of the 44 products purchased online actually contained SARMs

“The compounds found in our analyses have not been approved by the FDA. Therefore, the pharmaceutical companies which were or are developing these compounds cannot sell these products and a physician cannot prescribe these drugs to patients,” Mr Bhasin told Men’s Health.

“Also, because these compounds are not approved by the FDA, there is very little information about their safety and efficacy. Some of the compounds have never been studied in humans.”

This is not the first time products that contain SARMs have made headlines. The FDA released a warning statement about them in October.

“Life-threatening reactions, including liver toxicity, have occurred in people taking products containing SARMs,” the statement notes.

“SARMs also have the potential to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, and the long-term effects on the body are unknown.”

In addition to risks mentioned in the FDA warning, Mr Basin added that SARMs may actually produce side effects seen with steroids such as infertility and mental health problems like depression, aggression or thoughts of suicide.

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