SARMS Addressed by FDA but
Oct 16, 2023
SARMS Addressed by FDA but Still Might Appear in Your Supplements
SARMs have become a go-to substance for athletes looking to dope. Thanks to their horrendous side effects, steroids are muscle builders of the past. While SARMs claim to be free of those, don’t be fooled. Developed in the 1990s, SARMs mimic the effects of steroids by activating the same androgen receptors. The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) categorizes them as unauthorized novel food that shouldn’t be consumed. Despite the legislation, a BBC report found they’re sold freely in some UK shops while carrying warning labels saying they aren’t for human consumption but for research purposes only. Some believe SARMs are a legal grey area, but there’s nothing legal or grey about SARMs.
The FDA Continues the Battle Against SARMs
The FDA is aware of SARMs. They have issued warning letters for years, with another one in June 2023. The FDA warns that SARMS can have various side effects like increased risk of heart attack or stroke, psychosis/hallucinations, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, liver injury and acute liver failure, infertility, pregnancy miscarriage, and testicular shrinkage. There have also been reports of cancers related to some SARMs.
SARM Contamination
Unfortunately, while SARMs are often sold as “research-only” products, they still look and feel like supplements. If your raw materials are processed next to SARMs or an unscrupulous manufacturer decides to make SARMs, this can create risks. We recently had a case where a simple collagen supplement had high amounts of SARMs, resulting in a positive drug test in the NCAA. SARMS can inadvertently turn up in just about any dietary supplement. When they find SARMs, the FDA issues warning letters to companies selling unapproved products and pursues criminal actions against distributors. SARMs are on the WADA Prohibited List and banned by many military and first responder drug testing programs. If you are a pro athlete, first responder, or tactical professional, accidentally taking a SARM can ruin your life and career. For supplement brands, if SARMs infiltrate your products, it risks your brand and reputation.
A Solution to SARMs
A qualified, unbiased third-party certification program helps ensure supplements meet quality standards and are free of harmful and illegal substances like SARMs. Third-party certification removes the guesswork for brands and consumers. Safeguard your brand, reputation, and consumers while gaining a marketing advantage and peace of mind. A certification program like BSCG Certified Drug Free offers batch testing for SARMs and hundreds of other performance-enhancing, prescription, illicit, or over-the-counter drugs. Third-party certification with batch testing for banned substances should be essential to your decision-making process when evaluating dietary supplements for elite athletes and professionals.
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