The Truth About Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs)

Selective androgen receptor modulators, or sarms, have recently gained a great deal of popularity in the bodybuilding and fitness communities. They are marketed to boost muscle growth, fat loss, and athletic performance. In addition, they are believed to offer a number of other health benefits. Some of the more notable pros include increased strength, reduced fat mass, and improved bone density. However, some of the most important things to remember about sarms are that they are not magic pills and must be used with caution.

SARMs are research chemicals, which means they have not gone through the rigorous process that is required for a prescription drug. This also means that they cannot be regulated by the FDA and may not be safe in large doses or when used for a long period of time. In some cases, sarms have been linked to liver damage, hormone imbalances, and even cancer.

The first sarms were developed by scientists at GTX and the University of Tennessee, and since then, several structural categories have been identified. These include aryl-propionamides (GTX, Inc), bicyclic hydantoins (Ligand Pharmaceuticals), quinolinones (Synergy Pharmaceuticals), tetrahydroquinoline analogs (Kaken Pharmaceuticals), benizimidazole, imidazolopyrazole, and indole derivatives (BMS), azasteroidal compounds (Merck), and diaryl aniline and bezoxazepinones (GSK).

It is illegal to sell SARMs unless they are labeled “for research use only.” Unfortunately, dietary supplements often contain SARMs or make claims that they do. The FDA has warned consumers to be cautious about products containing SARMs and has issued warning letters to companies that sell these unapproved products.