You could come across claims for sports supplements that they can increase muscle mass, improve muscle function, or enhance athletic performance. Although certain supplements may offer these immediate advantages, they may also have both immediate and long-term negative effects on health. Researchers are yet unsure of the long-term hazards associated with several of these medications. Learn more about some of these pharmaceuticals and the risks associated with their usage, both known and undiscovered.
An anabolic steroid
These medications are synthetic reproductions of sex hormones in men. Steroids like parabolan can improve male features, help the body build muscle tissue, and lessen muscle damage after exercise. In the past, athletes were the only ones who used steroids, but in recent years, non-athletes have started using them more frequently. More and more people who use anabolic steroids today just want to “look nice,” which for many people means being large and strong. Anabolic steroids have the following harmful health effects when misused, despite the fact that they have medicinal applications, including the treatment of delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and body wasting brought on by HIV infection or other diseases:
- Voice deepening, clitoris expansion, hair loss, facial hair growth, and hormonal issues in women
- Men may experience increased breast size, smaller sperm count, erection issues, and testicular shrinkage.
- Aggression and mood swings
- Modification of hair growth patterns
- Acne
- a person’s voice changing
- tears in the tendons and muscles
- They may inhibit the growth of bones during adolescence.
- increased levels of cholesterol
- liver, renal, and cardiovascular disease
- bleeding issues
- tumor expansion
- Cancer
- increased risk of hepatitis and HIV (from sharing needles)
- Suicidal depression
Creatine
The liver produces a chemical called creatine, which is also present in some meals, such as beef. It aids in the muscles’ gaining access to energy. Athletes may benefit from creatine because it gives them fast energy during high-intensity exercise like sprinting, which can improve performance. Athletes that use it may also recover from these activities more quickly. However, these health issues could be brought on by creatine:
Diarrhea
- nausea and diarrhoea
- Muscle and stomach cramps
- gaining weight
- water holding
Dehydration
- Damage to the liver, heart, kidneys, and muscles
The long-term effects of Creatine use are unknown, and there is a dearth of safety information about its use. Government regulation of creatine is nonexistent. So, there is no assurance regarding the quality or security of this medication.
Ephedra (Ma Huang) (Ma Huang)
Ephedra, commonly known as Ma Huang, is a naturally occurring chemical that comes from plants. It is a stimulant that has been advertised to increase energy and athletic performance. Ephedra, however, can result in memory loss, stroke, high blood pressure, nerve damage, and rapid or irregular heartbeats. It has also led to fatalities. Additionally, combining ephedra with caffeine, even soda, can increase its health concerns.
Since ephedra might hinder the body’s ability to cool itself and increase the risk of heat-related illness during exercise, it may be especially risky for children and teenagers. Young kids don’t sweat as much as adults do, therefore they can’t regulate their body temperatures as well while working out.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outlawed the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra on April 12, 2004. A federal judge overturned the FDA’s ban on ephedra on April 14, 2005. Ephedra is improperly regulated by the FDA, according to the judge, because it is viewed as a medicine rather than a food. The FDA demands that the producer demonstrate the safety of every medicine. The FDA must establish the medications’ danger before it can outlaw other nutritional supplements, which are governed by the same regulations as foods. Now, the firm is free to sell products that include ephedra without interference from the FDA.
Caffeine
A stimulant, caffeine is present in soda, coffee, chocolate, and other foods. Pure caffeine is also available as tablets and suppositories. According to reports, consuming more pure caffeine before working out enhances performance during both short bursts of intensive exercise and lengthy endurance exercise.
However, rather than actual sporting events, laboratories have been used for the majority of caffeine research. Anxiety, jitters, difficulty concentrating, stomach issues, trouble sleeping, irritability, and at high dosages, heart rhythms and mild hallucinations are some of the side effects of caffeine.
Minerals and vitamins
It is rare for athletes to experience vitamin and mineral deficits. Taking vitamin and mineral supplements won’t help these sportsmen perform better on the field or court. Supplement use is only advantageous for athletes who are vitamin or mineral deficient. If certain supplements are taken by athletes who do not have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, adverse health repercussions may result.
Amino Acids and Proteins
Without using protein or amino acid supplements, athletes can get all the protein they need from their diet. Essential amino acids are abundant in foods including milk, eggs, meat, fish, and meat products. Massive single protein dosages are ineffective for promoting muscle growth. After a challenging workout, an athlete’s muscles can be repaired with the aid of foods like milk, yogurt, or an energy bar containing at least 10 grams of protein. Dehydration, gastrointestinal distress, and kidney issues could all result from consuming too much protein.
Androstenedione (Andro) (Andro)
Andro is a hormone that the body produces on its own. It is changed by the body into testosterone, which develops masculine characteristics and strengthens muscles. Andro is used by athletes in power sports like football. But when the body has too much androgen, it stops making its own testosterone. Additionally, it has many of the same side effects as steroids, such as shrinking testicles, high blood pressure, issues with the heart and liver, increased body hair, and stunted growth in adolescents.
The FDA warned 23 businesses in March 2004 to stop selling dietary supplements containing androstenedione in their products. If businesses fail to halt the distribution of certain products, FDA will decide if additional action is required. Leaders in Congress are also working on legislation that would designate andro-containing products as a restricted substance. The Controlled Substances Act would allow the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to regulate these kinds of items as anabolic steroids.
Information on Supplements
Drugs and supplements may interact
Ginseng, for instance, can intensify the stimulating effects of caffeine, which is included in soda, coffee, and tea. Additionally, when combined with diabetes medications, it can drop blood sugar levels, which could lead to issues.
“Natural” does not always imply safety or the absence of negative effects.
While some supplements are made from natural ingredients, some might not be. Despite coming from natural sources, supplements like ephedra can have negative health effects.
Supplements are governed by the FDA as foods rather than medications.
Generally speaking, the regulations governing the marketing and sale of foods (including dietary supplements) are less stringent than those governing the sale of drugs:
Before a supplement is marketed, human research studies are not necessary to demonstrate its safety.
The effectiveness of the supplement need not be supported by the manufacturer.
The quality of the supplement need not be proven by the producer.
Only after a supplement has been placed on the market and the FDA determines that it is harmful can it take enforcement action against the maker and/or distributor by issuing a warning or ordering the product to be taken off the market.
Sometimes the contents of the bottle differ from the label.
A supplement could be contaminated, have higher or lower concentrations of the active component, or not contain the ingredients listed on the label.
Follow these recommendations from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute on how to choose supplements if you decide to use supplements. The dietary supplement must:
On the label, include USP (United States Pharmacopeia): USP denotes that the dietary supplement has passed examinations for potency, purity, and how well it dissolves. The product should also be able to pass testing for uniformity, potency, and purity, according to the producer.
be produced by well-known food and pharmaceutical companies: Reputable producers adhere to tight quality control standards. Do not utilize the company’s product if it does not respond to inquiries or concerns.
Be backed up by research: Reputable businesses should present evidence to back up claims from studies published in peer-reviewed journals.
Make truthful and suitable claims: It is doubtful that the business adheres to sound quality control processes if the assertions are vague or the label makes absurd claims. Be skeptical if the claims seem too wonderful to be true.
Encourage you to consult a physician or pharmacist about taking dietary supplements: These items may interact with both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as other dietary supplements, and may have negative consequences that could be very harmful. Read the warnings and directions on the product’s label.