The Death Study

Title: Insights from a Study on Competitive Bodybuilders' Mortality and Heart - Health Recommendations

Author: Chris Shugart

A recent in - depth study involving over 20,000 competitive bodybuilders offers profound revelations. It is indeed a study worth exploring.

The fundamental advice of maintaining a non - obese physique and engaging in weightlifting generally leads to a healthier, more fulfilling, and aesthetically pleasing life. However, the scenario becomes complex when competition enters the picture. While muscle building and leanness are typically associated with good health, the pursuit of extreme muscle mass and maximum leanness by any means may unfortunately result in premature death.

This concerning trend has not gone unnoticed, and Dr. Marco Vecchiato decided to conduct a comprehensive investigation. His research findings were published in the European Heart Journal. Let's delve into the details.

The Study

Dr. Vecchiato's research focused on assessing the mortality risks among 20,286 male bodybuilders who participated in IFBB events spanning from 2005 to 2020. During this period, 121 deaths were documented, with the majority occurring around the age of 45.

Causes of Death

• Sudden cardiac death (SCD) constituted 38% of the total deaths. Professional bodybuilders were found to have a risk more than five times higher compared to amateurs. Other causes included kidney - related problems, multi - organ failure, and non - traumatic sudden death.

Cardiac Issues

Autopsies, which were available for 10% of the cases, revealed significant cardiac abnormalities such as severe left ventricular hypertrophy, cardiomegaly, myocardial fibrosis, and necrosis. Coronary artery disease was also a prevalent finding.

Risk Factors

The study emphasized practices like rapid weight loss, extreme dietary restrictions, dehydration, and the use of performance - enhancing substances as factors contributing to cardiovascular strain, irregular heart rhythms, and structural heart changes.

Dr. Vecchiato advocated for “...a distinct cultural approach that firmly opposes the use of performance - enhancing substances” and “more stringent anti - doping measures” in competitions. (Although implementing these may prove challenging.)

He also addressed the incidence of sudden traumatic deaths (15%), which encompasses car accidents, suicides, homicides, and overdoses. Dr. Vecchiato stated, “These findings emphasize the necessity of addressing the psychological impact of bodybuilding culture. Substance abuse can exacerbate these mental health challenges, increasing the risk of impulsive or self - destructive behaviors.”

The Heart of the Matter

Heart disease, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death, remains the leading cause of death in America, regardless of whether one is a drug - using competitive bodybuilder or not. Besides the well - known advice of maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly, the following measures can help reduce the risk of heart - related issues:

Take Fish Oil

Heart disease is essentially an inflammatory condition, and omega - 3 fatty acids can mitigate this inflammation. Fish oil also plays a role in combating left ventricular remodeling, regulating blood thickness to a healthy level, reducing triglycerides, preventing arrhythmias, slowing down plaque formation, and lowering blood pressure. It is recommended to take fish oil daily in a high - dose, self - emulsifying formula. For instance, 3 softgels of Flameout DHA - Rich Fish Oil (available for purchase on Amazon).

Increase Magnesium Intake

Higher magnesium levels contribute to improved glucose and insulin metabolism, thereby reducing glycation levels. Glycation affects the flexibility of blood vessels, which is crucial for cardiovascular health. Additionally, magnesium improves lipid profiles and functions as an antihypertensive and anti - inflammatory agent. A daily intake of 400 mg at night, using a chelated formula to ensure absorption, is advisable. Elitepro Mineral Support (available on Amazon) contains this recommended amount.

Consider Nattokinase

Atherosclerosis is the primary culprit behind heart disease and stroke, characterized by the clogging of blood vessels with organic and inorganic deposits. Nattokinase acts as a preventive and dissolving agent for blood clots. A daily dose of 200 mg or 4000 FU is recommended. A suitable product can be found on Amazon.

Take Niacin

Niacin (vitamin B3) stimulates the production of nitric oxide synthase, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels, facilitating increased blood flow. It also appears to be one of the few substances capable of countering lipoprotein(a), a lipoprotein that triples the risk of heart attacks. To safeguard the heart, take an immediate or extended - release form of niacin daily, approximately 1000 mg in divided doses. There are several good options available.

Consider K2 and CoQ10

Calcium can accumulate on the inner walls of arteries and around heart valves. Vitamin K2 helps prevent this. A daily intake of 600 mcg is recommended. A reliable brand can be found on Amazon. CoQ10 regulates the production of nitric oxide (NO), effectively “opening up” blood vessels to allow for greater oxygen - rich blood flow. It strengthens cardiac muscle cells and reduces inflammation and oxidative stress within the cardiovascular system. Since CoQ10 is fat - soluble, taking 100 mg with the fattiest meal of the day ensures maximum absorption. A suitable product is available on Amazon.

Reference

• Marco Vecchiato, et al. Mortality in male bodybuilding athletes. European Heart Journal, 2025; DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf285

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