As many individuals continue to pursue their fitness goals this year, some have turned to Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) in an effort to accelerate muscle growth and enhance physical performance. However, Malaysian health experts are cautioning against the use of these substances, which they say can be harmful and are often marketed deceptively.
SARMs are often promoted as a “less harmful” alternative to anabolic steroids, but health professionals have voiced concerns over their safety. These substances, which are commonly available on social media and e-commerce platforms, are sold in capsule form with claims of increasing muscle mass, aiding weight gain, promoting strength, stimulating appetite, and speeding up recovery after intense workouts. Prices for SARMs range from RM130 to RM300, depending on the type and quantity.
However, checks on the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) website revealed that these products are not registered in Malaysia, making their sale and distribution illegal. Furthermore, SARMs are listed as banned substances by both the Anti-Doping Agency Malaysia (Adamas) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Dr. Arvin Raj Goonasegaran, a consultant sports medicine physician, compared the use of SARMs to a “get rich quick” scheme. “Achieving fitness goals through a proper diet and exercise plan is difficult, which makes performance enhancers an attractive option for those seeking faster results, but at the potential cost of their health,” he explained.
Dr. Goonasegaran highlighted several serious side effects associated with SARMs, including liver injury (hepatotoxicity), yellow vision, spontaneous tendon ruptures, and cardiovascular problems. These concerns are supported by a 2023 systematic review on the recreational use of SARMs among healthy adults. Additionally, a 2017 study found that only 41% of SARMs sold online actually contained the ingredients listed on the product label, raising further concerns about their purity and authenticity.
“There is no safe way to consume SARMs unless there is a legitimate medical need for them,” Dr. Goonasegaran said. He emphasized that clinical treatments for conditions like hypogonadism, which may require hormone replacement therapy, are very different from the recreational use of SARMs. “The goal of clinical treatment is to restore physiological hormone levels, not to enhance physical performance.”
Although SARMs are relatively new on the scene, they have gained popularity among both competitive athletes and recreational gym-goers looking to achieve a leaner, more muscular physique. According to Dr. Goonasegaran, SARMs are often marketed as offering the benefits of other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) with fewer side effects. However, he cautioned that SARMs should still be classified as a PED.
The sale of SARMs is a growing concern, particularly because these substances can be easily purchased on online platforms. “It’s alarming how easily these products can be bought on e-commerce sites,” said Dr. Goonasegaran.
A senior official from the Ministry of Health stated that the matter will be investigated further. In a related effort to curb the sale of unregistered substances, the Perak Health Department, in collaboration with the Pharmacy Enforcement Division of the Ministry of Health, confiscated over RM2 million worth of unregistered bodybuilding supplements and cosmetics in January. This operation, named Ops Pharma 2.0 and Ops Gudang, targeted the illegal sale of body stimulants containing anabolic steroids and non-notified cosmetics sold online.
Last year, similar operations led to the seizure of more than RM220,000 worth of bodybuilding products containing anabolic steroids in Selangor and RM2.3 million worth of unregistered anabolic steroids in Johor. These efforts highlight the ongoing battle to regulate and prevent the illegal sale of harmful substances in Malaysia.
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