Hidden Dangers in Popular Supplements

They promise power, but deliver imbalance.
What’s labeled “natural” often hides the very ingredients that drain your energy, disrupt your hormones, and keep you stuck in a cycle of short-term hype and long-term harm.

Ingredient Effect on Men Effect on Women
Caffeine Anhydrous (high dose) Lowers free testosterone over time- Increases anxiety and post-workout crash- Disrupts deep sleep and recovery Raises cortisol → hormonal imbalance- Triggers anxiety, worsens PMS- Impacts adrenal and thyroid function
Yohimbe Extract Can cause arrhythmia and anxiety- Affects libido and sexual performance- Disrupts natural testosterone balance Can overstimulate nervous system- Raises blood pressure, causes jitteriness- Can worsen hormonal acne or anxiety
DMAA / DMHA (synthetic stimulants) Strong link to testosterone suppression- Potential for liver strain and aggressive mood swings Dangerous for the heart and brain- Linked to mood crashes and hormone dysregulation
Artificial Colors (e.g. Red 40, Yellow 5) Mimic estrogen in the body (estrogenic load)- Can lower testosterone and promote fat storage Xenoestrogens that disrupt estrogen metabolism- May worsen PMS, skin breakouts, and weight gain
Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Sucralose) Linked to insulin resistance- May reduce natural testosterone via gut imbalance Disrupt gut microbiome → affects estrogen clearance- Increase cravings and insulin spikes
Natural Flavors” (lab-made) Unregulated, often mixed with preservatives- Interfere with hormonal signaling and stress response Hidden chemicals that may burden liver detox pathways- Affect hormonal sensitivity
Sodium Benzoate / Potassium Sorbate (Preservatives) Burden liver detox pathways- Potential to disrupt androgen hormone metabolism Affect mitochondrial function → fatigue- Linked to oxidative stress and estrogen dominance
Proprietary blends (undisclosed stimulants) Can spike cortisol unpredictably- May cause hormonal crashes and test suppression Hard to trace effects, often overdosed- Risk of anxiety, menstrual irregularities, fatigue
Plastic-derived packaging (low quality) Xenoestrogens reduce sperm quality- Suppress testosterone and increase abdominal fat Leaches endocrine disruptors (BPA/BPS)- Can lead to estrogen overload and fibroids

Brands & Products With Questionable Ingredients

These formulas may feel powerful… until they don’t.
Crashes, anxiety, and long-term imbalance are the real price of these so-called “performance” products. What fuels you should never betray your health

They promise transformation — but deliver hidden costs. These popular “natural” supplements may help today— but compromise your body tomorrow.

BRAND / PRODUCT HIDDEN INGREDIENT (S) CLAIMED BENEFIT = WHAT IT ACTUALLY DOES
Dark Labs – Crack / Herolean DMAA, DMHA Claim: “Explosive energy” → Instead: nervous overstimulation + hormonal crashes
Juggernaut – Irate DMAA, Yohimbine Claim: “Sharper focus & performance” → Instead: anxiety, adrenal fatigue
Cellucor – C4 (Original/Sport & Ripped) Caffeine anhydrous, Red 40, Yellow 5 Claim: “Endless energy & endurance” → Instead: cortisol spike, hormonal imbalance
Jacked Factory – NitroSurge High caffeine, sucralose Claim: “Clean energy & pump” → Instead: gut imbalances, cortisol crash
Insane Labz – Psychotic / I Am God Proprietary blends, anti-esthetic stimulants Claim: “Unstoppable energy” → Instead: overstimulation, mood crashes
Gorilla Mode Very high caffeine, artificial sweeteners Claim: “Massive strength & focus” → Instead: burnout, hormone suppression
Gorilla Mode Very high caffeine, artificial sweeteners Claim: “Massive strength & focus” → Instead: burnout, hormone suppression
Static Labz – 1’3 Volt DMAA, Alpha‑GPC Claim: “Nootropic power” → Instead: anxiety, sleep disruption
SoCal Supps – Wild Fire DMAA (100 mg) Claim: “Next-level thermogenesis” → Instead: cardiac stress, hormone chaos
Mr. Hyde (Costco) / Bucked Up / Vital PRE High caffeine (~200 mg), creatine*, flavorings Claim: “Boosted energy & endurance” → Instead: high corticosterone, anxiety, digestive upset
Kaged Muscle – “natural” pre-workout High caffeine, sweeteners, proprietary blends Claim: “Clean and natural boost” → Instead: undosed stimulants, inconsistent effects
Legion Pulse (Amazon) “All-natural, no artificial sweeteners or dyes” Transparent ingredient list, but still uses high caffeine and may contain natural flavoring that lacks full disclosure.
EBOOST POW (Amazon) “Non-GMO, gluten-free, natural pre-workout” Though marketed natural, it still uses stevia and proprietary natural blends—may contribute to hidden xenoestrogens or stimulants.
Natural-labeled Amazon/Costco formulas Artificial sweeteners, unknown blends Claim: “Healthy natural formula” → Instead: mislabeling, hormone disruption, inconsistent dosing, proprietary blends—though labeled pure, may have undisclosed components.

Let's talk CREATINE: When Creatine Can Be a Problem

  • Combined with stimulants in pre-workouts (like caffeine, yohimbine, DMAA):

    • It may overstress the kidneys or liver when combined with dehydrating compounds or vasoconstrictors.
    • Can lead to bloating, water retention, or electrolyte imbalance, especially in women or people with adrenal fatigue.

  • Poor-quality creatine blends:

    Some “natural” or “flavored” creatines contain sugars, dyes, artificial sweeteners, or undisclosed blends, which negate the benefits.

  • Used at the wrong time or with poor hydration:

    Creatine pulls water into the muscle. If you’re dehydrated or combining it with other diuretics (like high-caffeine pre-workouts), it can create stress rather than support.

That’s why ÉTER FIT doesn’t include creatine — not because creatine is bad, but because:

✓You may want to take it separately, in a controlled and clean way.

✓Many women don’t tolerate it well in blends with stimulants.

✓Your body deserves targeted, intentional supplementation, not “one-size-fits-all” formulas.