Many people nowadays are becoming health conscious, which is the very reason why they go to the gym and take supplements. However, recent studies reveal that bodybuilding supplements are being used excessively -- most especially by men.

Research results presented at the American Psychological Association meeting in Toronto stated that the reliance on bodybuilding supplements could be considered as a new class of eating disorders, CBS News reported.

In a survey conducted to 195 men, ages 18-65, 40 percent said their use have increased over time and 22 percent have used the supplements meal replacements. Eight percent, considered as extreme cases, said they have been advised by doctors to cut the supplements down and three percent had been hospitalized for kidney or liver problems.

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) reported that four to ten percent of college-age men have known eating disorders.

"The objectification that used to be pretty much solely for women has now shifted so there is quite a bit of attention on men's bodies," Michigan State University associate professor of psychology Dr. Nicole Buchanan told CBS News.

"The attention and the ideal male image has shifted to one that is unattainable and unreasonable for most men to believe that they should achieve," she added.

Buchanan said that their self-esteem is being directly linked to attaining a certain body size, muscle mass and low body fat instead of creating a healthy self-esteem based on who they are.

What makes this issue complicated is that men already knew that their bodybuilding supplement obsession is leading to a disorder, but they are less likely to ask help compared to women.

Richard Achiro of the School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, said that men who are becoming "hooked" on bodybuilding supplements don't realize that they may have internal health issues, according to the Telegraph.

Six pack abs, broad shoulders, bulging biceps and triceps are compelling most men to use protein supplements excessively -- to get their desired bodies. Just because men use protein to look good, it doesn't mean they are healthy, as per Daily Meal.