Don't risk your health and your freedom by using illegal bodybuilding supplements. Discover why this is a serious problem and find out how you can stay safe and healthy while still building muscle.

The Problems with Illegal Bodybuilding Supplements

A muscular physique commands attention. Magazine covers are rife with men with six pack abs, well-developed chest muscles, and perfectly sculpted biceps. Most know that the best way to gain these assets is by training, eating right and letting your body gain lean mass in its own time.

But some people don’t want to wait and are willing to use illegal bodybuilding supplements in order to quickly gain lean mass. While everyone is free to do as they choose, those choices often come with some undesirable consequences. This article will list three illegal bodybuilding supplements and give reasons why you should avoid them due to the risk they pose to your health.

Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are a synthetic form of the male hormone testosterone. This chemical was developed in the 1930’s to treat men who had testosterone levels so low that it interfered with their ability to grow and develop normally.

Since that time, this substance has been used by bodybuilders and other athletes as a means to grow bigger muscles or perform their sport better. Anabolic steroids (often referred to as AS) come in two forms. They can be taken orally or they can be injected into the body with a needle.

Risks of Anabolic Steroids

The risks of taking anabolic steroids are many and these risks are not limited to the person taking the steroids. Some of the most severe health risks include liver disorders, cancers of the liver, and heart problems. One of the reasons for these problems is the addictive nature of AS.

Over a period of time, the steroid user may increase the dosage or use the steroids more frequently. This can speed up the effect that it has on the internal organs. Other risks of using anabolic steroids are violent and aggressive behavior, mood swings, cases of severe acne that can only be treated with medication, and high blood pressure.

Human Growth Hormone

Human growth hormone (HGH) is a hormone that is naturally produced in the body in the pituitary glands. This hormone is responsible for the regeneration of cells, repairing damaged tissue, helping muscle grow, and keeping the immune system strong. As stated, the human body naturally produces this hormone, but levels begin to decline at the age of 30.

Human growth hormone is used by doctors to treat growth disorders. The problem occurs when this substance is used illegally. Since this substance is difficult to obtain in its pure form, most of what is available illegally are formulas that are purported to be converted to human growth hormone when used.

The problem with these formulas is that the person doesn’t know exactly how much human growth hormone they are injecting.

Risks of Human Growth Hormone

The lists of health risks are not as severe as those associated with anabolic steroids, but they still can cause health problems. Taking high levels of human growth hormone can cause cholesterol levels to be higher than normal, as well as leading to heart disease and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Another ironic side effect of taking too much human growth hormone is muscle weakness. Athletes take HGH to get bigger, stronger, and faster, but they run the risk of getting smaller, weaker, and slower.

Androstenedione

This substance, commonly called andro, is also naturally produced by the body. The adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes produce this hormone and then convert it to testosterone. This drug can be obtained with a prescription, but it is also sold illegally. Androstenedione can be taken orally or topically.

Risks of Androstenedione

Although andro is often marketed towards men to help them increase their testosterone levels so they can get more muscular, to date science has proven that andro actually does not build muscle at all. In fact, when andro is absorbed into the body, most of it gets converted to estrogen, the female hormone.

Although having excess estrogen is not truly a health risk to men, it is not desirable and can lead to enlarged breasts in men. It also can cause acne, a decrease in sperm count, and a reduction in the size of men’s testicles.

When andro is taken topically, it can cause problems for pets and family members if they come into contact with the substance.

Don’t Risk It

Even though a muscular body is nice to look at, it’s not worth it if you put yourself at risk. If you take illegal bodybuilding supplements you can risk liver cancer, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

​There is also a chance you can put the health of your loved ones at risk too. If you want to build muscle, avoid using illegal bodybuilding supplements. It’s not worth the risk.