The hidden organ damage behind muscle-building supplements

Use of anabolic steroids, synthetic peptides, and "natural" herbal products for muscle growth is causing severe organ damage, including fulminant hepatitis, heart problems, and infertility, with doctors reporting an epidemic of cases in Brazil. Doctors report at least one patient per week arrives with severe liver damage from these substances. Products sold as natural, including herbal teas, can be highly toxic and may contain undisclosed anabolic steroids. A 42-year-old woman required a liver transplant after using a "seca barriga" tea. The damage extends to the brain, heart, and reproductive system. Studies show anabolic steroid use accelerates brain aging and causes irreversible cardiovascular damage. Many supplements lack proper regulatory approval, and severe reactions can occur even from a single dose.