In India, more and more people are getting inclined towards fitness and bodybuilding in the recent years. Hence, the market for bodybuilding supplements has grown significantly as well. As a result, the recent sharp rise in supplements demand in India is evident. If we talk about the age group, specifically young people are becoming more interested in fitness and bodybuilding. India is surely a great market for this business because of its sizable young population. The profitability ratio is also good. Therefore, loads of new supplements have come in the Indian market and several companies in India import the supplements from overseas suppliers and sell them locally.

Fake bodybuilding supplements are more popular than ever in the nation, courtesy India’s extensive grey market. Counterfeit supplements does not only mean that your thousands of rupees spent all went in vain; that’s not the only damage they do. They also cause health hazards which are obviously more concerning.

Fake supplements generally contain banned substances such as spurious ingredients, steroids as well as harmful chemicals. However, as far as color and texture are concerned, they look similar to authentic ones. Several companies do add cheap steroids to the supplements to show quick results and improve its efficiency. These can harm your body by permanently damaging it.

What are the risks of consuming steroid filled supplements?

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), commonly referred to as steroid-filled supplements, are synthetic versions of the hormone testosterone that are used to increase muscle mass and enhance athletic performance. These supplements may increase strength and muscle mass temporarily, but they can also have detrimental long-term impacts on health.

Some of the health risks include –

• The increased risk of heart disease is one of the most significant risks associated with AAS . According to studies, using AAS can raise blood pressure, cause an enlargement of the heart, and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. The use of AAS has also been connected to liver disease, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
• Using AAS can be harmful to one’s mental health in addition to their liver and cardiovascular systems. Use of AAS has been linked to greater aggression, irritability, and mood swings and has been shown to enhance anxiety and sadness.
• Other potential health risks associated with AAS use include infertility, shrinking testicles, breast enlargement in men, and the development of masculine features in women, such as a deeper voice and facial hair growth.

Overall, the use of steroid-filled supplements can have serious and potentially life-threatening health effects. Anyone considering using these supplements should weigh the risks and benefits carefully and consult with a healthcare professional before doing so.

Additionally, customers frequently ask their gym owners or instructors for advice on the best bodybuilding supplements to use. These people frequently recommend random supplements and guarantee to offer them at lower prices. Typically, these are generally counterfeit supplements from grey market. Instead, you should conduct thorough research on reliable sources and only purchase supplements from legitimate stores. 

Manufacturing a fake supplement is extremely cheap; therefore, the profitability ratio is extremely high.Since many people purchase supplements from local stores or pharmacies, grey marketers deal directly with these customers and pay them more to promote their fake supplements.

Why are cheap health supplements dangerous?

Just like steroids infused supplements, cheap health supplements may be dangerous for a number of reasons, such as:

• Low quality ingredients:

In comparison to the high-grade ingredients found in more expensive supplements, cheap supplements frequently contain lower-quality or synthetic ingredients that may not be as effective or safe. Cheap supplements might even include dangerous fillers or toxins in them.

•  Incorrect dosages:

Cheap supplements might not have the right amounts of the active ingredients, which could make them ineffective or have negative consequences. This is especially problematic for supplements that are advertised as aids for muscular growth or weight loss.

• Lack of regulation:

Unlike prescription medications, supplements are not regulated by the FDA in the same way, which means that manufacturers can make unproven or misleading claims about their products. In some cases, cheap supplements may not even contain the ingredients that they claim to contain.

• Interactions with medications:

Some dietary supplements may interact negatively with some medicines, depending on the situation. Before beginning a supplement regimen, it is crucial to discuss it with your doctor if you are taking any prescription medications.

In conclusion, it is crucial to do research and select quality products from reliable manufacturers, even though not all cheap supplements are necessarily harmful. You should also consult with a healthcare expert before beginning any new supplement regimen.