Orthopedic Expert: Orthopedic expert has given important information for the youth. He has told that misuse of protein powder is causing serious damage to the hips of the youth who go to the gym.

Protein Powder is Harmfull for Health: Nowadays it is seen that most people prefer to go to the gym to keep themselves fit and along with the gym, they also consume protein powder available in the market. But they do not know how harmful protein powder can prove to be for their health. A group of orthopedic experts has expressed a serious public health concern and said that the misuse of steroids and unverified protein powder is causing serious damage to the hips of young people aged 20-29 years who go to the gym.

More problems in people aged 20-29 years

The warning was given during the 'Delhi Hip 360' conference held in the national capital Delhi, where orthopedic experts highlighted the alarming rise in cases of avascular necrosis (AVN) and early hip damage in young people, which is usually seen in the elderly. Dr. L. Tomar, organizing chairman of the conference, said, "We are seeing a significant increase in hip-related complaints in young patients in recent years. Every week in my OPD, I see two to three patients under the age of 30, many of whom are around 20-29 years of age, complaining of persistent hip pain. "

Dr Tomar, head of the orthopaedics and joint replacement unit at Max Hospital in Delhi, said, "Frequently, investigations reveal avascular necrosis (AVN), a condition in which the blood supply to the hip bone is disrupted, leading to bone failure. More than 70 per cent of these cases have a history of anabolic steroid use or excessive consumption of unverified protein powders." He said recent research has shown an increase in hip problems among young people and alcohol and steroid use are the major causes for AVN in young people.

You are harming your bone health- Dr. Tomar 

Recently, the Maharashtra FDA launched a statewide investigation on protein powders after several brands were found to contain performance-enhancing steroids, many of which are freely available online or in gyms without proper labeling or approval. Dr. Tomar explained that young people, especially those seeking quick physical transformations, are inadvertently harming their bone health, especially the femoral head of the hip joint, which is particularly sensitive to changes in blood flow.

Senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rajiv Jain said that steroids, especially when misused or taken without supervision, directly affect the blood supply to the bones. Another observation presented by orthopaedic researchers at the conference showed that more than 30 per cent of AVN cases seen in tertiary hospitals in Delhi in the last three years were related to patients below 35 years of age and most of them had a history of steroid injection, oral steroid abuse or supplement abuse.

Dr Sharad Agarwal, scientific chairman of the conference and senior orthopedic surgeon, said fitness has become a booming industry in India, but in the absence of proper regulation and education. Physicians have urged fitness trainers, influencers and gym owners to educate their clients about the dangers of shortcuts like steroid cycles and unverified protein supplements.