FDA Warns: Hidden Steroids in Supplements Pose a Serious Risk to Your Health

If you think you’re doing your body good by choosing bodybuilding supplements that are steroid-free, you might be mistaken.

The FDA recently released a warning regarding certain bodybuilding supplements which CLAIM to be steroid-free (or contain “steroid-like” ingredients) but do, in fact, contain synthetic steroids. Such products are often marketed as a “safe” alternative to anabolic steroids and an effective way to increase muscle mass. They are widely available in both online and retail stores. What’s more, these products often slip under the radar as “dietary supplements” when, in fact, they are unapproved new drugs that have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety and effectiveness.

What’s the Harm?

What kinds of health effects might these steroid-containing supplements have? Well, to start with: serious liver injury, stroke, kidney failure and pulmonary embolism. Not to mention nausea, weakness or fatigue, fever, abdominal pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, jaundice, or brown/discolored urine.

Even more disturbing is that many consumers who are already taking these products may not be aware of the warning (or any accompanying recalls) and continue their supplement regimen.

Which Products are Harmful?

The company targeted by the FDA’s warning is American Cellular Laboratories, Inc., but the FDA also warns that similar products might also be putting your health at risk. Some experts guess there could be 50 or more similar manufacturer’s products that contain the same ingredients as those in the American Cellular products.

One such company is taking proactive action: NutraCoastal Trading LLC is conducting a nationwide recall of its S-DROL dietary supplement after FDA testing found traces of steroids within the product.

It’s a BIG Business

How could the FDA let it get this far? Well, the dietary supplement industry is, for the majority, a self-regulated one. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their products on their own, and are also responsible for recalling products if safety issues arise. The FDA can only get involved when it has received several reports of serious health threats relating to a product.

But it’s also hard for the FDA to keep tabs on the thousands of products out there. Americans spent nearly $24 billion on dietary supplements in 2007, according to Nutrition Business Journal.

Of that total, it’s estimated that tablets or capsules that claim to build muscles or enhance athletic performance represented perhaps $2.8 billion in sales.

With such competition, it’s not hard to believe that one or two manufacturers might “cheat” on their formulas a bit to ensure that their products rise to the top. Unfortunately, it only puts consumers at risk.

Sources:

http://www.a1nutrition.com/reviews/fda-warns-hidden-steroids-in-supplements-pose-a-serious-risk-to-your-health/