US trade body the Natural Products Association says that body building supplements are safe, but that people should consult with a doctor before starting to take them.
Responding to reported links between body building supplements and the death of a 25-year old Australian woman, NPA president and CEO, Dan Fabricant, said:
“While this is a tragedy, it is also exactly why we always urge people to speak with their doctor before using any supplement, especially when someone has a pre-existing condition as severe as urea cycle disorder.
“Protein is used safely every day by millions of Americans, it is an essential nutrient that your body can use every day, so you’re not likely to eat so much of it that one would ever experience significant negative effects and it has never been shown to harm kidneys in healthy individuals.”