SAN DIEGO -- Janell Smith was the picture of beauty. A talented artist and musician who could never find comfort in her own body.

During her battle with anorexia she lost an alarming amount of weight. She died at the age of 26, weighing less than 70 pounds.

Nearly 8 million people suffer from eating disorders and some are turning to diet pills for the perfect look.

10News talked to teens from the John Robert Powers Modeling Agency in La Jolla.

"Along the lines of models, I think that a lot of models -- that what the industry is -- it's built its bulk," said Casey Cagle, a model.

"At my school there is a lot of pressure to be perfect and do all of the things that you see on TV and stuff," said Leilani Lamchin, another model.

While at the agency, 10News shared Smith's story.

"It is sad that someone so beautiful like that can go downhill so fast," said Andrea Wood, a model.

The students at John Powers range in age from 15-years to 18-years-old. They are trained to be self confident. But when your comparing yourself to thin models, there's always doubt and temptation, 10News reported.

"They want small. That's what the media wants. They want to see people (that are) size zero. It kind of looks unhealthy," said model Raven Hunter.

To achieve the "look," the current drug of choice is clenbuterol, approved only for use with livestock.

According to 10News, it has a deadly downside.

Fitness expert Tony Hill said the drug can cause "incredible muscle tightening and hardness."

Hill said it's no secret in the industry that clenbuterol and other drugs are being abused.

"It gives you a really nice clean look," Hill said.

But this clean look comes with potentially deadly strings attached.

"The problem is that there is a price to pay with this drug. It can cause heart damage. It shortens the life of the heart cells," said Dr. Ken Fujioka, from Scripps Clinic.

Fujioka said clenbuterol, which is banned in the United States, is used by veterinarians to treat horses. It has been linked to two 17-year-olds having heart attacks.

"This is very tempting. You will see physical changes but at a price -- you're going to die younger," Fujioka said.

Just how easy is it to find this illegal drug? In Tijuana, 10News Reporter Fred Blankenship found many pharmacies where clenbuterol is sold. For under $12, he walked away with 50 pills.

Across the border, there is no problem getting clenbuterol but the Internet is even an easier place to find it, according to 10News.

Even the most well-adjusted teens admit turning down a miracle in a bottle isn't easy.

"You get it quick. You get the result and you know it's going to happen. But on the inside I think to myself do I really want to do that?" said Maurico Perez, a model.