22/01/2022
Diuretics in Bodybuilding: The Good, the Bad, the Tragic
The Tragic
Throughout the history of bodybuilding there have unfortunately been several deaths and multiple hospitalizations due to contest preparation and standard bodybuilding practices. These hospitalizations and deaths are rarely due to steroids and other hormones, lifting injuries, powerful stimulant-based fat-burners or highly restrictive diets. In fact, there is no direct evidence connecting the use of anabolic steroids to the death of any athlete, only indirect or circumstantial evidence. Rather, most hospitalisations and deaths are, in fact, overwhelmingly due to the use and abuse of diuretic supplements. Some of the most famous instances include:
In 1988, pro bodybuilder Albert Beckles collapsed and convulsed while on stage. He was subsequently resuscitated by paramedics and found to be suffering from diuretic-induced dehydration.
In 1992, pro bodybuilder Mohammed Benaziza died after competing in a contest in Europe. An autopsy shows that he was severely dehydrated and experienced cardiovascular failure. He was 33 . He had used a combination of diuretics for the show.
In 1994, pro bodybuilder Paul Dillett cramps onstage while posing at the Arnold Classic. He is carted off the stage. Once again, the problem was extreme dehydration and electrolyte imbalance caused by Paul’s use of Lasix. Paul survived.
There was also the 1996 case of Andreas Munzer, renowned for his freaky conditioning, who died after his liver and kidneys failed. The autopsy revealed his electrolytes were completely out of balance.
These are just the most publicized cases; numerous other deaths and hospitalizations didn’t get any publicity at all.
Take Lasix, P*e Like a Racehorse And The SAFE Aldosterone Clan Hear out Meat Heads Hyperkalemia can be systemic or interstitial (confined to cardiac or other tissue as a result of acute global or regional ischemia). Both settings confer a high arrhythmia risk. As hyperkalemia worsens, the ECG first demonstrates peaked T waves resulting from global APD shortening causing more synchronous repolarization across the ventricular wall