Health Alert 177
Have you heard of THG? How about Balco Laboratories? Surely, you have heard of San Francisco’s slugger Barry Bonds. A current scandal connects the three, complete with designer steroids, money laundering, back-stabbing and more bad news for your supplements.
In this letter, you’ll learn about the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (Balco) story and its effect on athletes. I’ll also you tell you how the hype over the synthetic steroids could affect your ability to buy supplements, your athletic performance and your health.
* The Balco Story *
The investigation of Balco involves charges of distributing illegal steroids and laundering money. It began when an anonymous informer sent a syringe to authorities. When they tested it, they found a new designer steroid called THG or tetrahydrogestrinone. Five track athletes and four professional football players have tested positive for THG. In a subsequent inquiry, a dozen San Francisco baseball players testified before a federal grand jury.1
This February, indictments were handed down against the personal trainer of San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds for distribution of the illegal steroid. In addition, the founder of the Balco Lab, the labs vice president and a track coach were also indicted.
The federal government has served search warrants for Balco. A senate committee, led by Senator John McCain, is seeking documents regarding Olympian athletes that testified before the Balco grand jury. The senate committee has declined to disclose the direction of their investigation and their interest in athlete testimony.
During the time of Balcos investigation, a defendant sent an email to an unidentified track coach that a certain athlete should discontinue using a substance called “the clear.” In this email, he indicated that another new substance that would pass drug testing was in development.
A simultaneous investigation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency ensued. The trainer admitted to giving illegal steroids to several major league baseball players. Raids found files of information identifying specific athletes that received doses of steroids and human growth hormone.
While the Balco investigation is yet to be resolved, rumors about Olympian athletes persist. There is anticipation that more designer steroid drugs will soon be available, fostering concern over athletes use during the upcoming Olympics.
* What Does This Scandal Mean for the Supplement Industry? *
Steroid injections that are not monitored by a physician can lead to devastating results. However, there are legitimate supplements that can safely enhance an athletes performance.
For example, the nutrient creatine has received much criticism. I often receive letters mistaking it as a drug because it improves performance. Creatine is a naturally occurring nutrient in food. Its best sources are red meat and apples. Supplementing with it has proven to be quite safe and can enhance athletic performance.
I fear the Balco fallout will lead to the FDA banning or reclassifying any substance that improves athletic performance. Just last month this happened with the natural testosterone booster, androstenedione. Look for an upcoming Health Alert on the FDA ban and what you can do to still derive the benefits of boosting testosterone.
In the meantime, a good rule of thumb for evaluating the safety of a supplement is to determine whether it exists naturally in food. If it does, it is very likely safer than most FDA approved drugs.
Al Sears, MD
1. Longman, J. and Fessenden, F. “Rivals Turn to Tattling in Steroids Case Involving Top Athletes” The New York Times, April 11, 2004: Sports1, 4.
The statements made herein have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.