Brazilian bodybuilder Arlindo de Souza, 43, has been drawing the media spotlight after he admitted that he had injected mineral oil and alcohol to pump up his muscles starting two years ago. 

It all began when De Souza badly wanted to become the big man at his local gym in Olinda, Brazil. He had already been taking steroids, hormones and horse vitamins before he was recommended to try a “site enhancement oil” to grow larger muscles.

“To get a body like mine, it is very difficult if you are not taking anything. Some people take it but won’t admit it,” the Brazilian was quoted as saying. 



The concoction to create the 29-inch muscles, however, poses a great risk to his health. Doctors claimed that frequent injections could play havoc with muscle tissue and can result in the formation of multiple abscesses that can lead to amputation or death, the New York Post reported. 

The problem is that most people do not know how to properly inject the oil into their muscles. De Souza lost his friend Paulinho to a severe infection that resulted from the muscle-building cocktail.

He advised that no one should use the oil, but acknowledged that it might be difficult to quit. He is no longer injecting, but admits the desire to start back up is always in the back of his mind, the Huffington Post reported. 

By Ock Hyun-ju, Intern reporter (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)