Dietary supplement used by body builders raises safety concerns

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The Finnish Food Safety Authority (EVIRA) is concerned about a dietary supplement favoured by bodybuilders, which contains a component which is chemically similar to amphetamines.
      DMAA, or 1.3-dimethylamylamine is a substance which stimulates the central nervous system, and which has raised questions about safety.
      EVIRA says that there have been reports of many negative effects on the heart and brain, especially when combined with caffeine.
     
One DMAA product under the name Jack3D has been imported into Finland, and has been sold on line or in shops that sell similar goods. The US-manufactured product has been marketed especially to body-builders as a way to enhance the efficiency of training, promoting muscle growth, and improving concentration.
      The sugar-free and calorie-free substance is especially favoured by body-builders who are on low carbohydrate diets.
     
EVIRA says that the importers I & P Service, PPS-Shop, IPSPORT, Mass Nutrition, and Fitnesstukku.fi have withdrawn the product, and are trying to contact possible buyers. The products are either to be destroyed, or returned to the manufacturer.
      However, on Monday Jack3D was still available at some Finnish online retailers.
      EVIRA says that there are also other dietary supplements on sale that contain DMAA.
     
Last year a 22-year-old US soldier who was using a dietary supplement containing DMAA died of a heart attack while running. Later, a 32-year-old soldier died suddenly under similar circumstances in the middle of a test ascertaining his physical condition.
      The US anti-doping committee warned athletes last summer that using DMAA might lead to a positive result from a doping test. In Canada the substance has been classified an illegal drug.
     


Links:
  US Food and Drug Administration press release April 27, 2012: FDA challenges marketing of DMAA products for lack of safety evidence

Helsingin Sanomat