For years steroids have been seen as a way to boost your muscle growth; despite the fact that it is illegal to have or sell them without a valid prescription.
But now there is a new pill on the market: SARM.
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators are being marketed as a legal alternative to steroids. The target audience appears to be the older generation and those that are suffering from disease related muscle loss.
However, there has been a huge amount of interest from bodybuilders.
Is SARM Safe?
I wouldn’t run out and buy it just yet.
The truth is that SARMs are still undergoing clinical trials; they are not yet approved by the FDA as safe for human consumption.
In fact the FDA have already issued an alert as they are concerned by the potential for liver damage and increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Current Studies
A study recently published in JAMA has highlighted the fact that many products being sold as SARMs actually have an array of alternative ingredients; most of which are not known.
The study demonstrated that approximately half of these products included proper SARM while the others were either predominantly other drugs or had no SARM at all!
More worrying several of these products contained chemicals which have been linked to causing cancer during animal tests.
The Long Term Effects
This is a new drug to the market. As such it is very difficult to state that it will be safe in the long term. What is known is that some of the ingredients have unpleasant side effects.
The Legal Status
It is legal to purchase SARMs although you do need to research the product first to ensure you know what is in it and what you are about to put into your body.
SARMs may have only reached the public spotlight in the last couple of years but they have been in existence for some time.
In fact, in 2015 the US Anti-Doping Agency actually penalized in excess of two dozen athletes for using SARMs.
A more recent example is Joakim Noah. He has been suspended from his position with the New York Nicks thanks to a positive test for SARMs.
He is not the only one in sports to suffer after taking these performance enhancing drugs.
SARMs Do Have a Place
SARMs have been developed in response to the decline in muscle mass that is often associated with middle age. This decline in muscle mass is the main cause of falls that result in broken bones.
The reduced mobility is linked with the development of chronic disease.
The purpose of SARMs was to target the skeletal muscle without causing damage to other tissues; which steroids frequently do. This is a great aim
However, the reality is that SARMs are not yet ready. While one clinical trial has found a significant increase in muscle, it also discovered a drop in your good cholesterol. This will increase the risk of disease.
Many bodybuilders have already switched to SARMs as they have been told they are safe.
The simple fact is that more research needs to be completed before this can be said to be true.
In the meantime you will find safe results using a reputable natural testosterone booster and sticking to a good workout schedule.
For years steroids have been seen as a way to boost your muscle growth; despite the fact that it is illegal to have or sell them without a valid prescription.
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