Delhi government to launch campaign against body boosters

Youngsters are getting hooked on to a wide variety of substances even though these have severe side-effects. 

Food supplements: Doctors caution against effects

Barely weeks after banning the sale of Maggi, a popular noodles brand, the food department of Delhi government is set to launch a campaign against so-called muscle builders which are, in fact, unhealthy food supplements.

A significant number of youngsters, especially gymnasiumgoers, consumes these health supplements to nourish their body and enhance their physique. But several complaints against these body boosters have now come to light, prompting the department to prepare an action plan against such products.

"We want to confirm if there are steroids in these health supplements, which are marketed in the garb of healthy and nutritious items. Our team has prepared a plan and we will be collecting samples from the market," department of food safety commissioner KK Jindal told Mail Today.

According to health experts, most of the health supplements available in the market are laced with steroids. Since these items are easily available at any pharmacy, many youngsters are getting hooked on to a wide variety of substances that promise to boost energy, appearance, performance and immunity, even though they have severe side-effects.

"These food items are highly expensive. One has to spend more than Rs 5,000 to purchase a single box of these supplements. It is very important to have proper awareness before purchasing such items," Jindal added.

Steroids, also known as cortisol, are different from anabolic steroids used by athletes and body-builders. These help in treating cancer patients, people with arthritis, severe burns, anaemia, delayed puberty and suchlike.

Unnatural means

"These are extremely harmful for health. Youngsters should focus on healthy food items rather than opting for unnatural means to strengthen their body," Dr Girish Tyagi of the Delhi Medical Council told Mail Today.

Consumption of dietary supplements causes side-effects such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, increasing weight due to water retention and muscle cramps. It also affects kidney function and enlarges the heart muscle. The side-effects of anabolic steroids include damaged liver and kidneys and, in some cases, swelling of the brain. The use of dietary supplements is being heavily debated across the world for their suspected side-effects, with many countries even contemplating banning them.

The terms 'steroids', 'roids' or 'juice' usually refer to anabolic steroids, which are synthetic (manmade) substances similar to the male sex hormone, testosterone. The term 'anabolic' refers to muscle growth.

According to experts, athletes wrongly believe that these substances will increase their alertness or aggressiveness on the field.

However, negative sideeffects - such as decreased concentration, nervousness or not being able to sleep; not to mention some serious health risks - can cause more serious problems to a player's performance.

For the majority of individuals, the protein needs of their body can be met through a balanced diet. Therefore, protein and amino acid supplements do not offer any added advantage over eating foods that are sources of protein (such as chicken, meat, fish, eggs, nuts and tofu).

Recently, the Ludhiana police had arrested a man who was preparing fake health supplements in the city. A team of health department officials raided a house in Raghubeer Park Chandar Nagar and found locally made steroids and fake supplements.

The team found around 250 boxes of fake supplements apart from 3.5 sacks of starch, 2.5 sacks of milk powder, a sack of custard and a box each of vanilla and chocolate flavours. Two empty boxes of cyproheptadine salt were also found. The salt is used to increase appetite. Four empty boxes of dexamethasone, a steroid, were also found.

A survey conducted by Assocham in 2012 had revealed that about 78 per cent of adolescents in the country's urban areas consume at least one dietary supplement such as pills, energy drinks, steroids or high-protein powders.

Also, over 85 per cent of school and college athletes said their coaches and fitness trainers encouraged them to take supplements similar to steroids.

What is the rule abroad

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) of US - manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. This means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labelling of their products before marketing it. In the US, anabolic steroids are controlled substances; they can legally be used with medical prescription. This was determined by the Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990, which added anabolic steroids to the Schedule III drug list.

Canada

Steroids are legal here but they are listed under the Schedule IV drugs which means there are some exceptions and punishments, but they are less severe. Although legal to possess anabolic steroids in Canada, the 'system' does have its own loophole. Anabolic steroids in Canada are not a high priority to the government. The one downfall is that the US has made steroids a bigger priority, and often the Canadian government is not too far behind.

Australia

The possession, use and supply of steroids, other than by prescription from a medical practitioner, dentist or veterinarian is illegal as is its unauthorised import. Queensland has amended the Drugs Misuse Regulation Act (1987) to boost the scheduling of steroids to Schedule 1: the highest level for dangerous drugs in the state, carrying, possession or supply penalties of up to 25 years. That move towards criminalisation is similar to tough penalties introduced in NSW and Victoria.

UK

Anabolic steroids are classified as class C drugs under Schedule 4, which is divided in 2 parts; Part 1 contains most of the benzodiazepines and Part 2 contains the anabolic and androgenic steroids for their illicit misdeed potential. Part 1 drugs are subject to full import & export controls with possession being an offence without a prescription. It is against the law to illegally supply anabolic steroids in the UK. Conviction will carry a penalty up to 14 years in prison and/or fine. It is extremely rare to see a steroid case solely involving anabolic steroids.Consumption of dietary supplements causes side-effects such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, increasing weight due to water retention and muscle cramps.