Today in the world of sports, everyone who feels like it talks affirmatively about “how to do it right,” with varying degrees of persuasiveness: from sports nutrition manufacturers, professionals, and sellers of sports nutrition stores, to beginners, bloggers, and pop stars on Instagram.
But how often do you hear discussions about the harm of sports nutrition to health? As a rule, isolated outcries in this direction are perceived as a lack of courage, incompatible with iron sports. Let’s reflect on this topic.
Main thoughts:
According to laboratory studies, many weight loss supplements contain the banned stimulant BDMPEA
Do not buy or consume any type of sports nutrition that contains banned ingredients
Question and verify the statements of brand representatives
Trust scientific facts from independent experts who have no vested interest in manipulating results
Check the reputation of the brand of sports nutrition you choose
Often, arguments in response to the question about the harm of sports nutrition include statements that “sports nutrition is chemistry,” “it contains steroids,” and other banned substances. Sometimes, there are mentions of low-quality counterfeits of original brands.
And that is true.
But why would manufacturers sabotage their own products?
The answer: they are simply responding to the growing demand.
Our society is becoming very lazy. In matters of beauty and health, this is manifested in the desire for quick results (either in weight loss or muscle gain) and without effort.
Sports nutrition manufacturers are more than happy to turn our lives into a fairy tale, responding to the increasing demand for an “easy” life by inventing a magic pill or powder. And with modern achievements in chemistry, they are doing quite well. But at what cost?
Remember Neo from The Matrix? There are two pills: a blue one and a red one… Which will you choose: the path of long and persistent training, where you can maintain and improve your health, or the magic pill that allows for quick transformation, but at the expense of your health?
For many, the result is important at any cost… “After all, if it’s packaged and sold in a well-known store, it can’t be that harmful… it’s the 21st century“
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Examples of the harm of sports nutrition
1 Example 1: magic drops and pills
A young man wants to impress by gaining muscle mass: to boost his self-esteem and amaze his friends/girlfriends.
He has a choice:
- gym + instructor + proper nutrition for N years or
- magic drops, pills, or injections (steroids, growth hormone, etc.), which guarantee transformation even without going to the gym…
Many young guys and girls will unhesitatingly choose the second option, without even asking the question “what are the risks?”. This is confirmed by the reality around us.
Speaking of numbers, statistics show that 3-4 million young people in the USA use or have ever used steroids, and 30% of them develop an addiction to them 3.
The temptation of quick transformation is too great…
Meanwhile, the lists of possible side effects from steroid use or growth hormone are not the most pleasant reading, which one always wants to close (for those who use them) and at the same time inevitably curse the author in the comments for incompetence…
The illustration is banal, but urgent.
2 Example 2: fat burners
In addition to the well-known steroids and hormones, unscrupulous manufacturers may add amphetamines, diuretics, medications, and other banned substances to sports nutrition.
Want an example?
Today, the fat burner Black Mamba is very popular in the Russian market (and not only). It is marketed by the manufacturer “as the strongest fat burner.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advises against its use, one reason being the hidden ingredients discovered by its experts, which are banned due to health risks.
We recommend: Fat burner Black Mamba: the strongest fat burner? Real expert reviews.
It’s a different matter when it comes to harmless sports nutrition, which for various reasons may pose health risks.
3 Example 3: proteins
Let’s consider a few examples of the harm of proteins – one of the most useful and researched types of sports nutrition.
- Take, for example, soy protein – a wonderful source of high-quality plant protein, comparable in its properties to whey protein.
Few people know, but soy and its derivatives contain a number of biologically active substances whose health benefits/harms provoke a lot of discussions in the scientific community.
One of them is isoflavones. These are plant compounds that are analogs of the female sex hormone estrogen, which, according to some scientific studies, pose serious health risks. See our material on the harm of soy and soy protein.
- At one time, a very common problem was the contamination of sports proteins with the substance melamine. Some manufacturers used it as a cheap filler instead of more expensive protein, which allowed them to reduce the product’s cost.
Melamine, like protein, contains nitrogen, which allowed it to pass quality tests without issues, but it poses a very serious risk to kidney health: consuming sports nutrition containing it led to kidney stones, kidney failure, and even fatalities.
More facts about protein quality issues here.
- Another example is the reduction in protein quality during the technological processing of natural raw materials.
For instance, when producing isolates and hydrolysates of whey protein or casein, milk protein is subjected to temperature and acid.
Both factors can lead to changes in the chemical structure of the protein: it becomes non-functional (unsuitable for building muscle tissue) and also poses health risks, as it may stimulate the development of certain chronic diseases, including cancer.
Hard to believe? For example, take a look at the following materials:
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Recommended: Soy protein isolate: 7 facts about the HARM of the supposedly “healthy” revolutionary product
Facts about the harm of sports nutrition from an independent scientific laboratory
Below are some facts from the independent laboratory ConsumerLab.com regarding the harm of sports nutrition.
1 Hidden substances in sports nutrition
According to scientific research, it is the banned hidden ingredients (steroids, hormones, amphetamines) that are most often the cause of harm to health when consuming sports nutrition.
A common practice is the addition of anabolic steroids, both overtly and covertly, in bodybuilding supplements.
This is done to ensure a quick “Wow!” effect in muscle mass gain and weight loss.
Examples of the most popular synthetic steroids are methasterone and dimethazine.
What is the danger of hidden ingredients?
Taking such supplements can lead, in particular, to a increased risk of testicular cancer among men and liver damage.
Compared to men who have never used these supplements, it was found that the risk of developing testicular cancer is 65% higher among those who have ever used them; 121% higher when used before the age of 25; 156% higher when used for more than 36 months; and 177% higher when using two or more supplements containing banned substances 1.
Another common outcome is liver dysfunction.
One scientific report notes the diagnosis of severe liver damage and hepatitis in 44 young athletes 4. The researchers identified anabolic steroids, which were present in the athletes’ supplements in hidden forms, i.e., not explicitly listed on the packaging, as the cause.
At the same time, scientists note that the presence of hidden ingredients in sports nutrition for bodybuilding is a common occurrence.
The main reason for the harm of sports nutrition is often the banned hidden ingredients: steroids, stimulants, hormones. Their consumption significantly increases the risk of developing testicular cancer in men.
None of the substances have been studied for harm during pregnancy and breastfeeding; therefore, their use is strongly discouraged during this time.
We recommend: Sports pharmacology: consequences of use and side effects
2 “Natural” does not always mean “harmless”
Manufacturers of sports nutrition with banned substances sometimes mislead consumers by claiming that they are natural and derived from plants.
For example, the following ingredients are often added in hidden form to some sports nutrition products to enhance the effect (particularly fat burners):
- stimulant aegeline: the manufacturer claims it is made from Bengal Quince;
- DMAA (dimethylamylamine, 1.3 dimethylamylamine or methylhexanamine): the manufacturer claims it is made from Geranium;
- DMBA (1,3-dimethylbutylamine, 2-amino-4-methylpentane or 4-methyl-2-pentanamine and also labeled as 4-amino-2-methylpentane citrate, AMP citrate, 1.3-dimethylbutylamine citrate, 4-amino-2-pentanamine, Pentergy, and 4-AMP): the manufacturer claims it is made from Pouchung Tea;
- N-diethyl-phenylethylamine: the manufacturer claims it is made from Dendrobium Orchid;
- BMPEA or beta-methylphenethylamine: the manufacturer claims it is made from Rigidula Acacia.
Animal studies on the harm of these substances indicate that the intake of BMPEA may lead to increased blood pressure and is accompanied by similar side effects as those seen with other amphetamine-like substances, the safety of which for humans has not been studied.
The presence of BMPEA was first recorded by the American Food and Drug Administration in 2013 in weight loss, energy, and mood supplements. Research 2 indicates that BMPEA is still on the market and is actively used by manufacturers, primarily in products containing Acacia rigidula.
In 2014, researchers from ConsumerLab.com tested sports supplements available for purchase in online stores during the period from January to April 2014, labeled as containing Acacia rigidula. All of them were intended for weight loss, increased athletic performance, and mental activity. 11 out of 21 supplements – many from the same manufacturer – contained BMPEA in various doses (from 3 to 94 mg) 2.
Among the supplements containing BMPEA were fat burners Aro Black Series Burn (Vitacost), Lipodrene Hardcore (Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals), and 9 others, including 2 sports supplements Jet Fuel Superburn (GAT).
Some products from this list, sold by Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, had previously been seized due to the presence of the illegal substance DMAA. At that time, DMAA and its analog DMBA were also masked on labels as plant extracts.
According to laboratory studies, many supplements intended for weight loss and sports contain the banned stimulant BMPEA
Recommended: Anabolic steroids: consequences of use and side effects | Scientific facts
ConsumerLab experts recommend avoiding the consumption of any types of sports nutrition that contain any of the banned ingredients listed below and prefer single-ingredient products over multi-ingredient ones or those containing proprietary blends with unclear compositions or that produce incredible effects in muscle gain or weight loss.
| List of banned ingredients that pose health risks: |
|---|
| aegeline |
| DMAA (dimethylamylamine) |
| DMBA (dimethylbutylamine) |
| N-diethyl-phenylethylamine |
| BMPEA (beta-methylphenethylamine) |
| methasterone |
| dimethazine |
Recommended: Diuretics: side effects of use in bodybuilding
Root Causes for the Emergence of the “Harmful Sports Nutrition” Market
Next, we will introduce you to some facts about the general state of affairs in the sports nutrition market, which largely contributed to the emergence of the harmful sports nutrition market.
The sports nutrition market is not regulated by the government
In the USA, and indeed worldwide, sports nutrition is released to the market without prior safety research for consumer health.
This is facilitated by the fact that no one is preventing it: sports nutrition products have somehow found themselves on the fringes of government control, despite their status being only slightly different from that of medicinal products.
Thorough research is only conducted when numerous facts of harm and side effects of a particular product emerge, and this is handled by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
The quality and safety of sports nutrition for health are not monitored by any government agency in the USA and, most likely, in no country in the world.
Moreover, the fact that scientists and doctors are recording numerous cases of colossal harm from various types of sports nutrition to the health of athletes (and even fatalities) does not hinder the need to reconsider one’s attitude towards this class of goods.
Numerous studies of popular weight loss and muscle growth supplements, which promise quick effects, indicate that they often contain prohibited substances, posing a risk not only to health but also to the reputation of professional athletes, increasing the likelihood of a positive doping test when least expected.
Thorough scientific research in independent laboratories often finds the presence of banned substances in sports nutrition products or discrepancies in the composition even in the most “innocent” products.
We recommend: The harm of fat burners and side effects: what makes natural supplements dangerous?
Demand creates supply
In professional sports, it is very difficult to resist the temptation to “help your body,” as one well-known Russian bodybuilder put it, referring to the latest achievements in sports pharmacology, especially considering the substantial prize funds.
Manufacturers of specialized sports nutrition know that athletes are very vulnerable in this regard. The effectiveness of many products is indeed confirmed by scientific research, while others are not.
As for amateurs, as we have already noted, many young men and women today are looking for quick solutions to their problems with appearance, excess fat, or lack of muscle mass.
For them, it is often enough to just do “external tuning,” using any means, preferably with minimal effort and quickly. This desire makes them very open to everything prohibited.
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A high level of trust in principles from the past
Surprisingly, modern athletes exhibit a very high level of trust in ideas from the past in the field of sports nutrition, the fallibility of which has been reliably proven today.
The most striking example: it has long been proven that there is no correlation between a diet with extremely high protein content and athletic performance.
Nevertheless, professional athletes, and even more so amateurs and their coaches, continue to stubbornly adhere to this myth, consuming huge doses of proteins and amino acids (already contained in proteins!), guided by the principle of “the more, the better,” without realizing that most of the unabsorbed protein simply goes down the toilet.
We recommend: What is better, protein or amino acids (+ BCAA)? Reviews from doctors and experts
For athletes, both amateurs and professionals, there is a very high level of trust in ideas from the past, the uselessness of which has been scientifically proven today.
Science and Pseudoscience
The sports nutrition industry is growing rapidly. More and more scientists are getting involved in research: some of them are commissioned by large companies to produce the results they need to stamp “scientifically proven” on their products; others, who are still guided by principles of honesty and objectivity, strive to uncover the truth to timely warn users about potential harm or to explain how to properly take a particular product to avoid wasting money.
There is a kind of struggle between the two sides.
Scientists cannot always be trusted: many of them are “on the payroll” of sports nutrition manufacturers.
Some of the most common supplements in professional sports nutrition include protein, creatine, amino acids, energy drinks, fat burners, L-carnitine, nitric oxide-based supplements (arginine-based products), and others.
While the benefits and effectiveness of protein and creatine are unequivocally proven, L-carnitine, arginine, and many fat burners, amino acids, and even some types of protein (for example, soy) raise many questions among scientists.
The effectiveness of arginine, carnitine for weight loss, and the benefits of taking amino acids together with protein have not been definitively proven.
Energy drinks do provide a short-term energy boost due to the carbohydrates and caffeine they contain, but at the same time, their harmful effects on the heart, metabolism, and central nervous system are well-documented.
The truth is that the colossal amounts of money spent by athletes in sports nutrition stores make someone richer. And that explains everything.
You can be sure that when someone needs to sell you something, even the most harmful sports nutrition product can be presented in an incredible and delightful way.
For example, take a look at our material on whey and soy proteins, where we analyze an article from the popular English-language portal bodybuilding.com, aimed at stimulating sales of soy protein. To prove its benefits, opinions from pseudo-scientists are also used there.
We recommend: 13 scientific facts about the harm of energy drinks
How to avoid the harm of sports nutrition: recommendations
Do not trust the recommendations and statements of those who are not knowledgeable about sports nutrition
Do not trust what ordinary consumers advise and say, no matter how impressive their physique may be, nor the sellers of specialized sports nutrition stores, and especially not the mass media, etc.
To emphasize the importance of the issue, let’s illustrate the situation with a telling example provided by Professor Dan Benardot in his book “Advanced Sports Nutrition.” This is a real fact.
“Recently, researchers on water consumption suggested that a large amount of water consumed by poorly trained runners during a marathon may increase the risk of fatal outcomes during the race.
The result of this particular study was presented in the media in such a way that it is dangerous for a person to drink too much water, as it can lead to death. Furthermore, the fantasies continued, and they suggested that the risk from insufficient water intake is significantly less serious.
It is clear that the conclusion presented in the newspapers is far from what the researchers arrived at. Not all fluids are water, not all events last four hours, and well-trained athletes have a different sweating rate compared to poorly trained ones; accordingly, their fluid needs are different.
Misleading wording has led many athletes, who trust the press, to be at risk of dehydration and possible heart failure due to reduced water intake.”
This example well illustrates the fact of how statements, even from authoritative sources, can reach us after multiple interpretations by sellers, athletes, and even manufacturers, highlighting the importance of a balanced personal approach to the issue.
We recommend: Is protein harmful to health? Scientific facts
Question and verify the claims of brand representatives
This refers to the biased opinions of sellers and marketers, whose goal and purpose in life is to make a profit. We have already touched on this issue above.
Be skeptical of the results of “scientific” studies by scientists who are “fed” by large companies or hired by them
Trust scientific facts from independent experts who have no interest in manipulating results
For example, in the USA, there are several independent scientific laboratories that conduct regular quality control of various types of sports and dietary supplements. One of them is ConsumerLab.com. It has a number of documented cases of harm from sports nutrition.
Examine.com is another independent scientific portal aimed at studying what scientific research says about the benefits and harms of various drugs and supplements. They also do not sell anything and have no interest in manipulating facts.
In our materials on promusculus.ru, we often use facts from the pages of these two portals, as well as directly from scientific sources, striving to present the most objective point of view.
Check the reputation of the brand of the sports nutrition you have chosen
We have already mentioned that the sports nutrition market is beyond the control of competent authorities.
There is no guarantee that everything written on the packaging of a sports supplement is actually present and in the stated amounts. It is equally likely that some “active ingredients” may be present in greater or lesser amounts, or may not be present at all.
In a similar way, the supplement may contain substances not listed on the packaging. This situation deserves the utmost concern.
Cases of such discrepancies are more common than they seem and often lead to positive doping tests for professional athletes. In such situations, an apology like “I’m sorry. I didn’t know…” does not work.
Furthermore, ingredients that are “accidentally” undeclared by the manufacturer very often cause serious health problems and even deaths. We have also talked about this.
For major sports nutrition brands, such manipulations are fraught with loss of reputation and defeat in fierce competition. It is unlikely that any of them would compromise customer trust for the sake of profit by any means.
Most often, the harmful effects of sports nutrition due to the presence of banned ingredients are characteristic of unknown fly-by-night companies.
Identify a list of brands with a good reputation and carefully monitor everything you consume.
Major sports nutrition brands can be trusted: few of them would take the step of deceiving customers, as this is fraught with loss of reputation and trust.
We recommend: Protein bars: benefits and harms. Reviews from doctors and scientists.
Conclusion
If you blindly follow loud and popular sports diets, recommendations from “pros,” there is a chance that you will achieve impressive results, but the cost may be your health.
Sports nutrition is not as harmless as it seems. Science knows many facts about the harm and side effects of consuming even the most innocuous supplements.
Develop critical thinking and do not trust recommendations or advice from those who are incompetent in the subject, even bodybuilding pros with impressive physiques.
Remember that 99% of Instagram stars you want to resemble are products of hormonal and steroid therapy, not a proper diet, hard work, and self-discipline (even if they preach about it).
Sports are wonderful in themselves and undoubtedly beneficial for health. The philosophy of our portal is that sports should lead to an improvement in the quality of life over the long term, not lead to problems for the rest of your life. Stay with us!
