Teenagers and Young Adults: Bodybuilding, Weight-Loss and Energy Products
What FDA and NIH say about bodybuilding products, SARMs, weight-loss supplements, pre-workouts and energy drinks for teens and young adults, with warning signs and who to ask.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
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Teens and young adults are often targeted by ads for muscle, leanness and energy. This page sets out what FDA and NIH say about the riskiest product types. It does not judge any person's goals, and it does not rank products. If you or someone you know is using these products because of worry about body shape or weight, you are not alone, and help is available; see eating disorders, weight-loss supplements and laxative misuse.
Bodybuilding products and SARMs
FDA's consumer page (current as of September 2024) says "some bodybuilding products may illegally contain steroids or steroid-like substances", with risks that "can be life-threatening." [1] The agency says it is "aware of adverse event reports, including those showing evidence of serious liver injury." [1] It also says many such products are "labeled as 'dietary supplements,' even if they don't meet the requirements to be labeled as such." [1] NCCIH says "hidden ingredients are increasingly becoming a problem" in these products. [2]
On SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators), FDA (page current as of April 2023) describes them as chemicals that mimic the effects of testosterone and anabolic steroids and calls them "unapproved drug products with potentially dangerous side effects." [3] The problems it lists include liver injury and acute liver failure, increased risk of heart attack or stroke, testicular shrinkage and infertility. [3] FDA also says social media videos target "teenagers and young adults", and that SARMs are often "sold for research use only." [3]
For liver warning signs, see liver injury warning signs from supplements.
Pre-workout products
Pre-workout blends vary, so one product's findings do not apply to another. A 2023 review of published case reports found 30 reports describing 35 people who became ill after supplements containing synephrine, a stimulant ingredient; the most common problems were chest pain, palpitations, fainting and dizziness. [4] The authors could not exclude caffeine as a confounder and called for caution. [4] This is case-report evidence, which shows an association and cannot show how often it happens. See also bitter orange, yohimbe and other stimulant herbs.
Creatine is a separate, much-studied ingredient with its own page; see creatine.
Weight-loss and "fat burner" products
NCCIH's review of studies of green tea extracts, Chinese herbs and bitter orange said "none have been shown to be effective for weight loss, and each has side effects." [5] NCCIH also says supplements marketed for rapid weight loss, such as acai and hoodia, "don't help keep weight off," and that some contain caffeine, which can affect heart rhythm. [2]
FDA's weight-loss notifications page (current as of September 2026) says some products "are likely to be contaminated with dangerous hidden ingredients" and "can lead to severe health issues and hospitalization." [6] It says the list "covers only a small fraction of the contaminated products", and "if a product is not on the list, that does not mean it is safe." [6] NCCIH also warns that weight-loss supplements are sometimes misused by people with eating disorders. [7] See hidden drugs in supplements and the weight-loss supplements claim check.
Energy drinks and caffeine
FDA's caffeine page (current as of August 2024) says medical experts advise against energy drinks for children and teens because of sugar and caffeine levels, and it names the American Academy of Pediatrics as the source. [8] It says too much caffeine in children and teens can cause increased heart rate, heart palpitations, high blood pressure and anxiety. [8] For most adults, FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects; that figure is for adults, not teens. [8]
Pure and highly concentrated caffeine products are a different matter. FDA says "just one teaspoon of pure powdered caffeine can contain the same amount of caffeine as 28 cups of coffee" and that these products have contributed to at least two deaths in the United States (page current as of March 2023). [9] See caffeine and energy drinks.
What the evidence does and does not say
| Product type | What the source found | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Bodybuilding products | FDA: may illegally contain steroids or similar drugs; liver injury reports [1] | Evidence of harm (regulator reports) |
| SARMs | FDA: unapproved; liver, heart and fertility problems listed [3] | Evidence of harm (regulator warning) |
| Synephrine pre-workouts | 35 people in 30 case reports; mostly heart-related events [4] | Reported (case reports) |
| Weight-loss supplements | NCCIH: none shown effective in the studies it reviewed [5] | No good evidence of benefit |
| Energy drinks for teens | FDA: experts advise against them [8] | Official advice |
"Proper evidence not found": we looked in the FDA and NCCIH pages above for a trial showing that a pre-workout or fat-burner blend is safe and effective for teens, and did not find one in the sources we read.
Warning signs and who to ask
Chest pain, palpitations and fainting were the most common problems in the synephrine case reports above, [4] and they need prompt medical care; call 911 if severe. Liver warning signs are on the liver warning signs page. Tell the clinician exactly what was taken and bring the container. Ask a pediatrician, school nurse, sports medicine clinician or pharmacist before using any of these products. Contamination is covered in heavy metals in supplements and herbal products, and the wider picture in children and teens: why they are different.
Frequently asked questions
Are bodybuilding supplements regulated before they are sold?
FDA says some bodybuilding products labeled as dietary supplements may illegally contain steroids or steroid-like substances. [1]
What are SARMs?
FDA describes them as chemicals that mimic testosterone and anabolic steroids, and as unapproved drug products. [3]
Do weight-loss supplements work?
In the studies of green tea extracts, Chinese herbs and bitter orange that NCCIH reviewed, none were shown to be effective for weight loss. [5]
Are energy drinks safe for teens?
FDA's page says medical experts advise against energy drinks for children and teens because of sugar and caffeine levels. [8]
Who should I talk to?
A pediatrician, pharmacist or other health professional. NCCIH advises teens to discuss any supplements they use with their providers. [2]
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Caution: Bodybuilding Products Can Be Risky, content current as of 09/20/2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). 10 Things To Know About Dietary Supplements for Children and Teens. Read 2026-10-23.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Warns of Use of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) Among Teens, Young Adults, content current as of 04/26/2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- Review of Case Reports on Adverse Events Related to Pre-workout Supplements Containing Synephrine. Cardiovascular Toxicology, 2023, PubMed 36639595. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Dietary Supplements Marketed for Weight Loss, Bodybuilding, and Sexual Enhancement: What the Science Says. Read 2026-10-23.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Weight Loss Product Notifications, content current as of 09/04/2026. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Weight Control. Read 2026-10-23.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?, content current as of 08/28/2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pure and Highly Concentrated Caffeine, content current as of 03/06/2023. Read 2026-10-23.