Dr. Bob: Lethal Supplements

Wed, Oct 14, 2009

Mind & Body

Dr. Bob: Lethal Supplements
Illustration by Joe McKendry

Q: I read that the Food and Drug Administration warns against using scores of muscle-building supplements because they can be bad for your health. What substances should I avoid? Is there anything out there that’s safe and will help get me ripped?
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A: Over the past 24 months, the FDA has received 15 reports of serious health problems — including strokes, liver problems, and pulmonary embolisms — associated with body-building supplements. The government has warned against the use of several products that contain steroids. (You can find a list at Fda.gov.) But even the FDA is in a race to keep up with what’s out there. I visited Don Catlin, founder and former director of the Olympic Analytical Laboratory at the UCLA, who showed me how scientists search for the newest designer steroids. Often, the lab hasn’t even heard of a new drug when they detect it on highly sophisticated instruments. Unethical manufacturers of some of these supplements are always looking for ways to sneak potentially harmful steroids into their products so that the consumer sees results and buys more. If you are going to use such products, look for code words such as “anabolic,” “tren,” “blocks estrogen,” or “minimizes gyno.” These words indicate the potential presence of steroids. Eschewing these types of things altogether, I stick to a weight-training program with a professional trainer, and eat lean protein. That way, I know what I’m getting.
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Email your questions for Dr. Bob Arnot to dr.bob@mensjournal.com.

This article originally appeared in the October 2009 issue of Men’s Journal.



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3 Comments For This Post

  1. J. Acai Says:

    The thing is that all this can be avoided if you follow a healthful diet and acquire all the needed minerals and vitamins from your cooking. Not merely is it more effectual as of the natural sustaining nutrients that exist in the cuisine which you consume, but as well it is costing you less and is going to produce better results.

    [Reply]

  2. J. Detox Says:

    There was no such thing as exercise ‘machines’. They used multi-jointed, compound free weight exercises that not only increased their muscular size, but also make them incredibly strong. So, if you look at that way it can be done and you don’t need any supplements.

    [Reply]

  3. Paul Says:

    I have been using the Dr Max Powers Testosterone Booster for 3 weeks now and notice a big change in my recovery time. I can blast my legs to the point that i need help walking out of the gym and and the next day i feel like doing quads all over again. Very rapid recovery but i have yet to see a dramatic strength increase, however i`m only 3 weeks into a 12 week cycle.

    It made me hot at times and that was the only side effect I noticed! Great price since these are not synthetic vitamins so the quality, effects and results are great…

    [Reply]

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    [...] Dr. Bob: Lethal Supplements | Men’s Journal http://www.mensjournal.com/dr-bob-supplements – view page – cached Q: I read that the Food and Drug Administration warns against using scores of muscle-building supplements because they can be bad for your health. What substances should I avoid? Is there anything… (Read more)Q: I read that the Food and Drug Administration warns against using scores of muscle-building supplements because they can be bad for your health. What substances should I avoid? Is there anything out there that’s safe and will help get me ripped? (Read less) — From the page [...]

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    [...] Original post by Dr. Bob [...]

  3. TWW Daily Feed for October 15th « This Way West Says:

    [...] little Q and A about what sort of over the counter substances that might contain steroids and ruin your Tour season. Really, why would you want to put anything into your body that [...]

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