Published on
updated on
Reading 2 min.
To build muscle mass or reduce fat mass, many enriched food supplements claim to give you a boost. But according to the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety, consuming these products induces several risks, including death.
Consuming dietary supplements enriched with proteins, amino acids or plant extracts? Nothing more normal for an athlete today who wants to develop his muscle mass or reduce his fat mass, the use being no longer reserved for bodybuilders. But after an initial alert issued in 2016, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) is back on the charge: the consumption of its products induces risks, both for the health of the athlete and in the event of an anti-doping test.
+20% of serious adverse effects since 2016
Sold on the internet, in gyms or pharmacies, these supplements are now very accessible, and to everyone. Is this why side effects are also increasing? Because between 2016 and February 2024, 154 new cases of side effects were reported following consumption of these products (there were only 49 in the previous 8 years), 18 of which were considered very serious.Two deaths occurred and four people saw their life threatened” specifies the Agency.
Among the many adverse effects reported, cardiovascular effects are the most frequent with the occurrence of tachycardia, palpitations and even cardiac arrest.
General symptoms such as malaise, fatigue, fever, dizziness, digestive and neurological effects (strokes) have also been recorded.
Some contain banned substances!
What you need to know is that certain ingredients such as anabolic steroids, clenbuterol and ephedrine are prohibited for consumption, particularly because of their many severe adverse effects on cardiovascular activity.“Their presence in food supplements thus constitutes a fraud and may expose the athlete consumer, beyond the health risks, to an abnormal analytical result (“positive control”) during an anti-doping control” indicates the site.
Furthermore, even if it meets French regulatory requirements, an ingredient may not be authorized by theWorld Anti-Doping Agency (AMA). Athletes must therefore know how to identify these substances prohibited by WADA in competition, or in any circumstances, and be attentive to the composition of the products consumed.
Kidney Risks Often Ignored
Let us also remember that the use of dietary supplements (DS) such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements, proteins, amino acids and herbal products can be nephrotoxic, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease, of which they are not necessarily aware. Creatine and high-protein DS, in particular, can lead to acute or chronic kidney failure, which is sometimes irreversible.
Athletes and consumers: what recommendations?
Are you an amateur or professional athlete and are tempted by these supplements? Anses offers 3 tips to avoid problems.
- Avoid the concomitant consumption of several food supplements or fortified foods or combining them with medications;
- Before consuming it, seek the advice of a health professional, doctor or sports dietitian;
- Choose products that comply with European standard EN 17444:2021 and avoid purchasing online.