Should Muscle Building Supplements Be Banned From Sports

Every new product that promises, and delivers, startling results, is bound to cause a stir. This is particularly the case when it comes to dietary supplements. “Ah, the latest wonder pill” you hear the doubters saying. Especially when the supplement in question promises to set the muscle building industry on its head by promising spectacular results in a very short space of time. After all, everybody knows that in order to build muscle and burn off body fat you have to spend hours, and hours, at the gym. Clanging away on weights, clocking up miles on the treadmill and generally putting your body through the mill. Coupled with stringent dieting.

So any product that promises the same, or similar results, but with much less physical effort, is bound to be illegal. Or a big con. Right? And sure, some of these types of products are exactly that but there are also products that do everything it’s claimed they do. Backed up by cold hard results and scientific proof.

PROSHAPE and HyperGH 14x are two products that do live up to their hype. These 100% natural supplements have been taken by men, and women, from all walks of life. Celebrities, pro athletes and ordinary everyday people. And they’ve all reported achieving good results.

Experiments Back Up Claims

But don’t just take their word for it. Have a look at the research that’s been done as well. One notable study, the results of which were published in Medicine & Science & Sports and Medicine, pitted a group taking the supplement against another group taking a placebo. Those on the supplement experienced a whopping 600% increase in muscle after just 7 weeks whilst those on the placebo experienced virtually no muscle growth at all. Same exercise regime, same diet etc. Another similar experiment, also reported in this publication, found that weight-training athletes who used the supplements increased their muscle strength by more than 200% compared to those on a placebo. In just 6 weeks!

Renowned Swedish University Uppsala also found that a group of testers who used the supplements for 4 weeks lost one inch of fat from around their waist without making any other changes to their daily routine, or their diet. In all these experiments, those who used the supplements experienced no adverse side effects whatsoever. They did however experience a host of positive ones instead….a reduction in blood sugar levels, triglycerides and bad LDL cholesterol for a start.

The fact remains though that in some circles these types of results are seen as performance enhancing and similar to the effects of steroids. Even though the products are entirely natural and the ingredients in them - trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid, cis-9 and phosphatidylserine (Ps), have been isolated from foods.

Should Muscle Building Supplements Be Banned From Sports

Critics say these particular compounds should be banned because they give those who use products containing them an unfair advantage. Supporters claim that there are other supplements routinely used by athletes that contain substances like creatine, which also helps to promote healthy muscle growth. So using the same reasoning, shouldn’t they be banned as well. Along with high-carb supplements used by aerobic athletes. After all, they’re all supplements designed to enhance athletic performance by providing the body with nutrients and substances it requires to function effectively.

Then there is the view, taken by a number of sports scientists, that these supplements are a practical and proven safe alternative to dangerous drugs like steroids and that this is what should be emphasized.