Are you obsessed with getting those 6-pack abs? Be careful

You could end up with tumours in both arms. Here's how

When a 28-year-old man with severe swelling in both arms visited Dr Mohammad Ashfaq Konchwalla, consultant sports surgeon at Medcare Hospital, Dubai, the latter realised that the kind of swelling experienced by the patient was not normal.
The man said he had seen several doctors and was advised to give-up gym activities. His diagnosis revealed that he had tumors in both arms due to some boosters he used to enhance his muscle mass.
Sharing the patient's case, Dr. Konchwalla said: "We surgically removed the tumours, and did shoulder reconstruction to improve recovery. He is now recuperating and completing his physiotherapy, along with a rehabilitation training program to continue exercises."
Doctors at Medcare Hospital have raised concerns on the abuse of supplements saying that fitness buffs who are obsessed with bodybuilding, bulging biceps and 'six-pack' abs, are overusing supplements to the point that the practice might qualify as a new kind of eating disorder. These include abuse of supplements like performance enhancing medication, growth hormones (HGH), and high amount of protein powders for muscle development by bodybuilders and gym goers
The lack of knowledge on the physical and mental risks of using these could lead to serious health consequences, in the long run, the warned.
According to a study, the increasing use of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) worldwide has led to an increase in liver damage cases.
Dr Konchwalla explained: "Low self-esteem, poor body image, and the desire to appear masculine have contributed to an increase in the use of appearance and performance enhancing supplements. Men often have undue weight and shape preoccupation, and use unhealthy methods of improving their appearance."
In some cases, patients may be suffering from 'Bigorexia' also known as Muscle Dysmorphia. It is an anxiety disorder which causes people to see themselves as small, despite actually being big and muscular. Such individuals obsess about being inadequately muscular. The condition primarily affects male body-builders. Compulsions include spending hours in the gym, squandering excessive amounts of money on ineffectual sports supplements, abnormal eating patterns or even substance abuse.
Dr Konchwalla said that manufacturers advertise products as a convenient way to get extra nutrients to boost fitness. Most people get enough protein from their diet, so consuming extra protein may lead to potential adverse health effects. Further, these supplements are not monitored for safety by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). According to USFDA, dietary supplements are regarded as foods rather than as drugs and are assumed to be safe, unless proven otherwise.
Warning sports and fitness enthusiasts, Dr Konchwalla advised them to follow ethics, healthy guidelines and avoid using high-performance medications and excessive dietary supplements, which could be detrimental to their health.
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE