Supplements and Sports
As athletes continue to compete faster, farther, and longer, they feel enormous pressure to exceed the limits of human performance standards. It's not surprising that many athletes turn to the latest 'magic bullet' that they feel will give them an edge in training and competition. Athletes often believe that 'if some is good then more has to be better'.
This thinking has also paved the way for the development of a multi-million dollar nutrition supplement industry, and athletes are a big customer.
What is a Sports Supplement?
A supplement, by definition, is something added to the diet to make up for a nutritional deficiency. It is not intended as a substitute for eating well. Supplements include the following:
- Vitamins
- Amino Acids
- Minerals
- Herbs
- Other Botanicals
What is NOT a Sports Supplement?
Anything classified as a dietary supplement is not required to meet any FDA or other standards. There are no regulations that guarantee the safety or purity of something sold as a supplement. Supplements ARE NOT:
- Required to meet similar safety requirements as over-the-counter or prescription drugs or food ingredients
- Held to any manufacturing standards
- Guaranteed to meet product potency or purity ratings
- Required to prove the effectiveness of any health claim they make
- Required to meet safety or efficacy testing prior to going to the market
As the FDA is prohibited from removing a product from the market unless it can prove that the product will cause a medical problem, most health risks of untested supplements are discovered after the product is on the market. One could rightly assume that you, the consumer, are the 'test group' for these products. In fact, many products are pulled off of the shelf after serious health risks or death are tied to the use of the product.
What should I look out for?
With so much contradictory information regarding health or performance benefits of so many nutritional supplements, it's difficult for an individual to wade through the research and make an informed decision about what actually works. In order to quickly see through the smoke and mirrors, there are ten red flags you should recognize immediately. When you see a health claim that falls under one of these categories, you'd be wise to keep your hand on your wallet. Remember, if there was a 'quick fix' it wouldn't be such a big secret.
The Red Flags...
- Recommendations that promise a quick fix
- Claims that sound too good to be true
- Simple conclusions drawn from a complex study
- Recommendation based upon a single study
- Dramatic statements that are refuted by a reputable scientific organization
- Recommendations based upon studies without peer review
- Recommendations based upon studies that ignore differences among individuals or groups
- Dire warnings of danger from a single product
- Lists of "good" and "bad" foods
- Recommendations made to help sell a product, or by the manufacturer itself
Recommendations for Choosing a Supplement
- Look for products that have a 'UPS' (United States Pharmacopeia) stamp on the label
- Look for products that are eligible for Consumer Lab seal of approval
- Look for products that are made by nationally known food and drug companies who already have tight manufacturing controls in place
Tips and Cautions
Because supplements are something added to the diet to make up for a nutritional deficiency, before going out and buying the latest 'magic pill in a bottle,' an athlete would be wise to evaluate his or her diet. Everything an athlete requires for energy and high performance can be gotten through a proper, balanced diet.
Active Life Network
Date Published: 2002-09-06
|
