Author Archives: christopher lam

Pills are common forms of ingesting SARMs (photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eandistudios/2333660035/in/photolist)

The supposed new safer performance enhancing drug is already being sold to athletes and the general public illegally without pharmaceutical testing. This new drug is becoming more popular due to its perceived safety. Taking SARMs will add more muscle to your body, with reduced negative effects compared to common anabolic steroids, however scientists warn that they aren’t as safe as they appear to be.

What are they?

Selective Androgen Modulators, more commonly known as SARMs, are a class of chemical compounds that have some similar properties to that of lab made human growth hormones (i.e. mimics of testosterone). Similar to steroids, they affect the body by increasing muscle mass and strength while also reducing body fat. SARMs affect the human body’s sensor for certain growth hormones like testosterone, meaning that the body keeps producing an increased amount naturally due to it suppressing part of the body’s hormone cycle.

SARMs vs Steroids

SARMs are different from the more notorious performance enhancing drug, anabolic steroids, as they don’t introduce any lab made steroids into the body. Anabolic steroids are used by todays bodybuilders and some athletes for increased physical capabilities as they mimic the growth hormone, testosterone. SARMs are an appealing option as they can target specific muscle groups, with reduced negative side effects. Steroids will affect the body more drastically than SARMs, as they directly add more hormones to the human body. SARMs will have less of an effect due to it only affecting certain muscle groups for targeted testosterone level increases.

Example of a lab made human growth hormone for performance enhancement (Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Depo-testosterone_200_mg_ml.jpg)

Is it Safe?

Although SARMs are said to be safer than steroids, they still have the same negative effects, but perhaps to a lesser degree. Since someone who takes SARMs will have higher than normal testosterone level, abuse can lead to the same effects as steroids. The negative side effects include balding, increased aggression, depression, liver damage, heart attacks and strokes. Recent studies by the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) have recorded cases of life-threatening liver toxicity. Another warning regarding SARMs is that long-term clinical tests are still being conducted.

Closing remarks

If you’re someone considering taking steroids, SARMs may be a safer option; however, because of the known short-term side effects and limited completed long-term studies, they should not be taken. The much safer and recommended option is to not take any type of steroid and SARM without specific medical conditions like muscle degeneration and anemia. Taking SARMs are a prohibited substance in the World Anti-Doping Agency and are manufactured and sold illegally.

Christopher Lam

The famous bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger (Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bodybuildinginindia/4060600616/in/photolist)

Looking to add more exercise for your 2019 New Year’s resolution? Studies show that taking creatine can increase your stamina and strength. People who ingested creatine while weight training increased their strength by an average of 8%.

What is it?

Creatine is a natural, non-protein amino acid that helps make energy for muscle contractions. It is commonly found in red meat and seafood. The human body requires about 1-3 g of creatine a day to replenish its creatine levels. Since creatine is found in various everyday foods, it is not a prohibited substance in professional sports.

What does it do?

Multiple studies have supported that creatine increases the efficiency and recovery of muscles. In a 2017 review, Kreider et al update creatine findings in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). They reported that numerous studies have supported the fact that consuming creatine will help with faster recovery, increased strength and increased endurance. In fact, the ISSN recently stated in 2017, “creatine monohydrate is the most effective ergogenic nutritional supplement currently available to athletes in terms of increasing high-intensity exercise capacity and lean body mass”.

Is it safe?

Creatine has undergone many short-term and long-term studies involving varied dosages of creatine. In a 2011 study by Jäger et al, they found that there were no significant negative side effects. In addition, we make creatine in our liver and kidneys naturally. It does sound like a magical substance with all positives and no negatives, but in reality, it doesn’t have anywhere near the rapid effects of anabolic steroids. So, taking creatine won’t turn you into the Hulk, but it might give you an added bit of strength when you lift in the gym.

How much to see the effects?

As previously mentioned creatine can be ingested by consuming foods like red meat and seafood to see the same effects. For instance, one pound of uncooked beef or salmon provides 1-2 g of creatine. However, using a creatine supplement is more economical and practical for replenishing creatine levels effectively. Scientists recommend that people who want to take creatine, would see the effects after reaching their creatine level saturation. This can be obtained by increasing creatine consumption to about 5 g four times a day for one week. Then to replenish that level you only need to ingest about 5 g per day.

Closing remarks

Although not everyone is a professional athlete, everyday people can take creatine supplements to assist their endurance and strength. If you are trying to meet your “New Year, New Me” weight goal in the gym or training up for a marathon, adding a creatine supplement to your diet is a safe and easy way to give you an edge.

Christopher Lam