In the quest for the ideal physique, some men will stop at nothing to improve their energy output and add the right amount of protein to their diet. Drinking breast milk may seem a bit over the top, but a growing number of New York City health advocates swear by the all-natural “magic elixir” as a post-workout recovery supplement or even to help aid against cancerous cells.

“It gives me incredible energy I don’t get from other food and drinks,” Anthony from Queens told NYMag.com. “I don’t believe in steroids or other energy supplements, none of that garbage. I want natural stuff that’s God-given, and if it’s okay with moms looking to get rid of it, I’ll take it.”

Anthony claims that he isn’t the only person at his local gym to try breast milk for an energy boost. He usually buys his new workout supplement for $2.50 an ounce from online sources such as OnlyTheBreast.com, a website that allows mothers to buy, sell, and donate their natural breast milk.

Aside from a muscle-building energy booster, other men say breast milk is their secret to healthy lifestyle outside of the gym. Take, for example, Jason Nash, a 55-year-old father of four who said he began drinking breast milk to help with his gastrointestinal problems.

"It occurred to me that breast milk could be just as healthy and tasteful for adults as infants,” Nash told NYMag.com. “I believe it has kept me from getting sick all these years.”

Some research also suggests that breast milk may serve as a valuable tool in the fight against cancer. A study led by Dr. Catharina Svanborg from Lung University in Sweden revealed that mixing breast milk samples with cancerous cells resulted in apoptosis, a phenomenon in which cells quite literally commit suicide.

“Discovery is at the heart of science. If you ask me for specific goals, I wouldn’t be able to name them. The process is fascinating enough,” Svanborg told Discover magazine. “And I always hope that new information will be practical and useful for people who need it.”

A second study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that low levels of a hormone in breast milk contributed to sexual dysfunction in men. Men with low levels of prolactin, a hormone released through the pituitary gland, reported problems with sexual health, including an inability to orgasm.

No matter what the reason behind drinking breast milk, consumers should always consider the possible hazards that have caused the Food and Drug Administration to warn against this practice. This past October, a study published in the journal Pediatrics exposed high levels of bacteria, including Salmonella, that were hiding in breast milk purchased from two popular websites.