Men who use muscle-building supplements (MBSs) that contain creatine or androstenedione may have up to 65% increased risk of developing testicular cancer, according to a case-control study published online March 31 in the British Journal of Cancer. So many of our readers are focus on body building and use these supplements as a way to enhance the benefits of working out. This is a disease that hits many who are just too young.
This study seems borderline junk – it was asking, much like the propecia causes irreversible libido loss studies, as self regulating questionnaires of men who have developed testicular cancer – there is a big difference between creatine monohydrate (found in all meats/organ meats and any non vegan diet) and ‘unlisted anabolic steroids and growth hormones’ – when you classify those substances as one thing you are creating such a vague click bait claim it’s pretty unconscionable.
The study also classed ‘protein’ as a bodybuilding supplement – yes, protein. That macro nutrient that constitutes a large percentage of your diet of you eat meat, fish, dairy, poultry, and most grains and pulses.
Many people worry about the impact of hormones and the supplement industry and vague, boundless studies like this do no one any favors.
“I am amazed at blog readers who volunteer their use of thesesubstances for “bodybuilding”, despite the fact that they areprohibited in amateur and professional athletic competition and carrysignificant health risks.
Actually, the FDA began a “crackdown” in 2014 on productscontaining androstenedione that are marketed over the counter asdietary supplements to increase athletic performance. While the FDAdoes not have purview over supplements, they can intervene (as withChinese Ephedra in the early 1990’s) when a supplement either isshown to present a public danger or has false marketing. Withandrostenedione,very few (if any) labels noted the potential risks, which are the sameas use of anabolic steroids. Indeed, androstenedione may increase therisk of serious health problems because it is converted in the body totestosterone, which is an androgenic and anabolic steroid. Given this,the FDA asked companies to stop distributing dietary supplementscontaining androstenedione and petitioned Congress to considerlegislation to classify these products as a controlled substance. Inaddition to increased risk of testicular cancer mentioned by Dr R, theFDA has emphasized studies that show the potential long-term risks formen include shrinkage of testicles, growth of breast tissue,impotence; for women, male pattern baldness, increased facial hair,increased risk for breast cancer and endometrial cancer, blood clots;and for youth, acne, early start of puberty, and stunted growth. Inaddition, many unregulated supplements contain varying amounts ofactive substances (and contaminants) as they are not undermanufacturing regulation scrutiny.