The four billion a year supplement industry sells herbal steroid and speed supplements to millions of teenage boys and girls. There are many types of supplements; among the most popular are creatine, andro (androstenedione) and ephedrine. All these supplements are legal but are they safe? In this article I will explore why the FDA has failed to introduce stricter regulations on these supplements, what they are and what they do, who approves them, what they looked like and how you can purchase these potentially harmful supplements; with the help of Jay McMahan and his experience as a personal trainer and user of these herbal supplements. Creatine, Andro and Ephedrine are among the most popular supplements, but do we know what they are and what they do? Creatine is an amino acid compound produced naturally by the kidneys, liver and pancreas, it helps muscles regenerate quickly after effort. There are no known harmful side effects, although creatine has been shown to cause dehydration, muscle cramps, weight gain and nausea. The Andro supplement (Androstenedione), is produced naturally in the human body, androstenedione is a precursor hormone of testosterone and estrogen. Its structural similarity to steroids suggests it may carry the same risks (liver damage, heart disease, low sperm count, breast development, and violent mood swings), although no long-term studies have been conducted. The stimulant Ephedrine derived from ma huang or ephedra, a plant used to treat asthma, fever, and joint and body pain. Although widely available, it has been banned by the NFL, NCAA, and IOC, and the FDA has reported anecdotal evidence linking it to eighty-one deaths since 1994. You don't need a retailer or even an ID card to purchase these herbal supplements. of herbs. . All teenagers have to do is go to the local mall and purchase it from the GNC (General Nutrition Center). Employees sell these potentially harmful supplements to anyone, regardless of their age. It appears they are even marketing children's products such as creatine gummies and smoothies in a variety of fruit flavors and loaded with the supplement of their choice. Why hasn't the Food and Drug Administration introduced stricter regulations on purchasing these supplements? ? We have Republican Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah to thank for the ease with which supplements can be obtained. Ten years ago the sports supplement industry was recovering from a series of disasters. The Food and Drug Administration has begun petitioning Congress for the right to treat supplements like the drugs most scientists say they are and subject them to lengthy and expensive scrutiny before they can be placed on the market..