The NFL Players Association has issued an important alert to players regarding a supplement that has been spiked with a substance that would tend to make it more effective.
“Anabolic steroids found in the supplement product Healthy Life Chemistry by Purity First B-50 -- immediately discontinue use!” the NFLPA announced on Twitter.
The warning apparently was prompted by an FDA news release issued Friday.
“A preliminary FDA laboratory analysis indicated that the product contains two potentially harmful anabolic steroids—methasterone, a controlled substance, and dimethazine,” the FDA said. “These ingredients are not listed in the label and should not be in a dietary supplement.”
Healthy Life Chemistry by Purity First B-50 is marketed a a vitamin B supplement.
Any player who has taken the product and thereafter tests positive will be suspended four games, regardless of the reality that the supplement was spiked with banned substances. Several years ago, multiple players were suspended for taking StarCaps, a weight-loss supplement that secretly contained a prescription diuretic.
Players are responsible for the contents of their body chemistry, and the league and the NFLPA have created a list of approved supplements. If a player strays from the list, the player risks a positive test.