Bodybuilders Unaware Of Consuming Supplements That May Contain Breast Cancer Drug, Experts Warn | HuffPost Life

Bodybuilders Unaware Of Consuming Supplements That May Contain Breast Cancer Drug

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Bodybuilders may be unaware they are taking supplements containing the breast cancer drug tamoxifen, experts have warned.

Researchers said "obscure" references to the drug had been found in one supplement called Esto Suppress.

People trying to increase their muscle mass have been taking tamoxifen to stop breast enlargement caused by the use of anabolic steroids for over 30 years, they said.

Tamoxifen is usually bought from illegal sources but the experts said there had been speculation on bodybuilding discussion forums that the dietary supplement Esto Suppress contains the drug.

SEE ALSO: Female Bodybuilder Candice Armstrong's Steroid Habit Made Her Grow A Penis And Facial Hair

The researchers, including a team from Liverpool John Moores University, bought four samples of the supplement.

Tamoxifen was found in three samples but not in the fourth.

The product label suggested a dose of two capsules a day, which in the case of one sample may have provided 7.6mg of tamoxifen, the researchers said.

Story continues below the slideshow:

Supplements To Stop Taking (And What To Take Instead)

RECONSIDER: Creatine(01 of10)

The supplement -- which comes in both pill and powder form -- is used after workouts to help build muscles. But, "it can also result in kidney damage, result in significant dehydration and has been purported to worsen asthma," Dr. Mickey Barber, president of Cenegenics Carolinas, explains. "I recommend that patients and people over 50 should only take it under a doctor's supervisions." (credit:Getty Images)

DO TAKE: Curcumin(02 of10)

Curcumin is a substance found in turmeric and Indian dishes that can be taken in supplement form, which is a good thing for post 50s. "It's a powerful anti-inflammatory," Barber says. "There are some studies that show it can reduce [brain] plaques in those with Alzheimer's disease." (credit:Alamy)

RECONSIDER: Calcium(03 of10)

Though women over 50 have been told to take this supplement for years, "calcium has recently come under fire in the medical literature," says Dr. Barber. And for good reason. The mineral has a hard time being absorbed in older bodies, leading to it being absorbed in artery walls instead of bones, leading to the hardening of the arteries, heart disease and stroke, Barber says. "If you need to be taking calcium, you should not take calcium carbonate because it's not well absorbed in the bone. [Instead] take a very well absorbed form of calcium, like calcium citrate," she warns. "You shouldn't take it if you're not taking the proper magenesium to help with absorption and Vitamin D." (credit:Getty Images)

DO TAKE: B12(04 of10)

B12 is a supplement more post 50s should take. "It's very important for neurologic function, cognition and memory," Barber explains. Often times people who suffer from dementia or peripheral neuropathy -- numbness in the hands and feet caused by nerve damage -- are found to have a B12 deficiency. (credit:Alamy)

RECONSIDER: Magnesium Oxide(05 of10)

"Everyone over 50 should be taking magnesium to help with their heart, blood pressure and bones," Barber advises. But some may be taking the wrong variation of the mineral. While magnesium oxide isn't well absorbed by the body, magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate are. (credit:Getty Images)

DO TAKE: Probiotics(06 of10)

"It's surprising to me how many Americans have poor GI health, especially people over 45 and 50," Dr. Barber says. "Some signs of it are constipation, bloating, gas [and] just a general feeling that you're bloated in your gut."There are a number of things -- chlorinated water and antibiotics for starters -- that kill off the good gut bacteria bodies need to absorb the vitamins we need, Barber explains. That's why post 50s should take probiotics -- live bacteria to replace the good bacteria the body can lose. Once your gut recolonizes, you can lower your dose. (credit:Alamy)

RECONSIDER: Yohimbe(07 of10)

Bark from yohimbe trees contain a substance known as yohimbine, which can appear in supplements to treat erectile dysfunction. But it does more than that, Barber warns. "It can result in significant heart arrhythmia problems and high blood pressure," she says."What they should do is get their hormones balanced and get themselves in better physical shape," to treat their erectile dysfunction, she continues."I think everyone over 50 should take DHEA as a supplement [instead]; it can help increase your hormones and increase your sexual function." (credit:Alamy)

DO TAKE: Vitamin D3(08 of10)

Vitamin D3 can help to boost your immune system against viruses. "I tell my patients if they know they're going to be exposed to more viruses than usual -- traveling, visiting their grandchildren -- to take more vitamin D3 than usual. It can be a very helpful immune booster," Dr. Barber says. (credit:Alamy)

RECONSIDER: Soy Isolate(09 of10)

Found in capsules and protein bars and shakes, Dr. Barber advises most post 50s to watch how much soy isolate they take. Why? "It can have a real estrogen effect in men," she explains. "As men age, one of their challenges is balancing between testosterone and estrogen. If they're taking in something with an estrogen effect [it can cause] gynecomastia -- breast formation in men.Boomers should instead get their soy in its pure form (i.e. edamame) instead of in what Barber calls "convenience food." (credit:Alamy)

DO TAKE: Omega 3 Supplements(10 of10)

Though the benefits of omega 3 supplements related to cognition have come into question recently, it is undisputed that fatty acids are good for your health -- lowering trigyclerides and vascular inflammation, to be exact, according to Dr. Barber. This also helps with joint inflammation. (credit:Alamy)

The medical profession would prescribe 10 to 20mg per day for the clinical treatment of breast enlargement.

In their letter to the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the team said it was not known whether the Esto Suppress currently on sale contained tamoxifen as their analysis was carried out two years ago.

But they warned: "Since the 2000s, a growing number of off-the-shelf 'food', 'herbal' or 'dietary supplements' - aimed at gym-goers and people wanting to lose weight or enhance their sex lives - have contained pharmacologically active substances (including anabolic steroids, stimulants and appetite suppressants).

See Also:
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Dietary Supplements in Sports: Cautious Consumption

"Some of these substances have been withdrawn from use in medicines owing to safety concerns, others have never been tested in humans.

"Often the substances are not listed on the labelling, and products may be marketed as 'natural' , exploiting the belief that they are safer and healthier options.

Tamoxifen

"In other cases, such as with Esto Suppress, only an obscure reference is made to the substance, such as a chemical name.

"Most users will be unaware that they are taking these substances.

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"Healthcare professionals should ask their patients about their use of 'supplements' and report suspected adverse reactions."

A spokesman for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said: "This research highlights the need for consumers to be aware when choosing their sports supplements.

"These products may claim to increase performance but can contain powerful ingredients which can have serious side-effects.

"We recommend that people only use approved products and speak to a qualified medical practitioner if they have any concerns about any supplements they may be taking.

"The MHRA welcomes and will investigate all complaints on sports supplements containing medicinal ingredients. "

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