Supplement scaremongering?

[Dontrunwithknives]

Have a read and you decide. One sided scaremongering or good advice?

"NZDF Health Advisory on dietary supplements, body building products and ergogenic aids

The NZDF encourages personnel to maintain and improve their health and physical fitness and performance, but does not endorse the use of dietary supplements and body-building products (BBPs). Personnel are advised to pursue their goals through hard work and good nutrition, not dietary shortcuts.

There are health risks associated with the inappropriate use of ergogenic aids, dietary supplements, energy drinks, herbal remedies and body-building products (BBPs). These products are promoted as an easy way to enhance physical performance, increase energy levels, change body composition, lose weight, and feel better, which creates a culture more concerned about short term performance rather than overall long term health. While some products are legitimate and can be used safely, others contain compounds or substances that are potentially harmful. The NZDF discourages the use of supplements by personnel due to the lack of published, reproducible scientific research addressing the benefits and documenting long term adverse health effects of these products.

MYTHS regarding dietary supplements:

• If a substance is natural, it must be safe and beneficial.

• Athletes that consume a well balanced diet still have nutritional deficiencies.

• Dietary supplements purchased at a store or over the internet are safe and legal.

FACTS regarding dietary supplements:

• Dietary supplements and BBPs are not regulated or tested

• There is no guarantee the true amount or concentration of ingredients is listed on the label.

• There is no guarantee the substance is pure, as studies have found lead and arsenic in supplements.

• There may be other compounds not listed on the label in the dietary supplement which may be illegal or banned substances.

Most of these products are legal and freely available in stores and via the internet. Many are harmless but research shows that extra vitamins, proteins, and herbal substances are unnecessary in those who have a varied, balanced food intake; and recent studies reveal that long-term use of such products can increase the risk of heart disease and various cancers, and is associated with premature death. These products are often marketed as 'dietary supplements' but are not in fact foods, and some contain unapproved drugs that have not been reviewed for safety and effectiveness, and others are counterfeit or illegally manufactured and contain contaminants or non-organic substances.

The products of most concern are those that claim to contain steroid or 'steroid-like' ingredients and in fact contain synthetic steroids. These products can cause breast development, testicular shrinkage, and psychological effects (‘roid rage’). An increasing number of serious adverse events have been reported internationally associated with the use of BBPs containing steroids or steroid alternatives, including serious liver injury, stroke, kidney failure and pulmonary embolism.

There is minimal evidence that dietary supplements enhance performance for most sports. Command, PTIs and health professionals are recommended to:

• allow for open discussion about supplement use, but strongly encourage optimal nutrition and a well balanced diet;

• remind personnel that no supplement is harmless and free from consequences; and

• advise personnel that there is no short cut to improved performance, it takes hard work.

Health professionals are to :

• routinely ask their patients about any over-the-counter products they may be using, including dietary supplements

• be alert to patients presenting with symptoms and signs that may be associated with the use of steroids or steroid-like substances including liver/kidney injury, stroke, hormone-associated adverse effects (testicular shrinkage, gynmaecomastia, etc), DVT and PE.

• be informed about the safe and hazardous use of ergogenic aids and dietary supplements (including BBPs) as part of the ‘practice of military medicine’.

These types of products are available for purchase through the AFCC and NZDF intranet site. However, the NZDF cannot guarantee their manufacturing standard, quality, or safety; and their marketing or sale through NZDF outlets does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation for their use. These types of products will not be marketed or sold through NZDF gyms, and NZDF personnel are not to be involved in the marketing or sale of such products to other NZDF personnel.

There is some research that suggests personnel who misuse dietary supplements are more likely to use steroids, and to engage in other high risk behaviours that may have implications for their health and security status in the NZDF. Health problems associated with the use of dietary supplements or BBPs will be managed as medical issues and substance abuse. However, in those cases where Command identifies that performance is compromised or has been adversely affected by the use of dietary supplements or BBPs, the individual may be pursued under AFDA Sections 50, 51, 65 or 73 as relevant.

The website http://www.fda.gov has comprehensive information including public health warnings about dietary supplements and BBPs."

[drizzt]

Heh, very one-sided, I chuckled to myself a couple of times when reading it :grin:

Had more of a reply typed out but... ah well :shrug:

[Phedder]

Could you provide the original source of the article please?

recent studies reveal that long-term use of such products can increase the risk of heart disease and various cancers, and is associated with premature death.

What studies?

Definitely a bit one sided, but some people do rely far too much on supplements. But hey, the placebo effect is still an effect right?

[Dontrunwithknives]

I particularly like these two bits of information:

The NZDF discourages the use of supplements by personnel due to the lack of published, reproducible scientific research addressing the benefits and documenting long term adverse health effects of these products.

"

recent studies reveal that long-term use of such products can increase the risk of heart disease and various cancers, and is associated with premature death."

And yeh what studies... More "lack of published, reproducible scientific research" :pfft:

[Cameron_R]

Wow, the defence force really have a bee in their bonnet!

dietary supplements and body-building products (BBPs). "

It doesn't even say what 'supplements' or 'products' it's talking about!? Better stop taking fish oil!!! Looks like scare mongering to me.

[Phedder]

Wow, the defence force really have a bee in their bonnet!

Drug foundation :wink:

[Cameron_R]

Can't tell over the forum if that's sacasm or not but just incase ...

Nah, I'm pretty sure it's the defence force.

1. "Personnel are advised"

2. "These types of products are available for purchase through the AFCC and NZDF intranet site." AFCC = Armed Forces Canteen Council, and why would the drug foundation sell production to their own staff through an intranet?

3. "There is some research that suggests personnel who misuse dietary supplements are more likely to use steroids, and to engage in other high risk behaviours that may have implications for their health and security status in the NZDF."

Either way, I could be wrong.

Could you provide the original source of the article please?

:ditto:

[Phedder]

*DOH* :doh: You're right haha, my bad. That explains why in my search of the drug foundation site I couldn't find the article :oops: Makes a lot more sense now too... :shifty:

[Dontrunwithknives]

*DOH* :doh: You're right haha, my bad. That explains why in my search of the drug foundation site I couldn't find the article :oops: Makes a lot more sense now too... :shifty:

Yeh you won't find this article anywhere unless your in the NZDF :pfft:

[severe]

Well, sitting on your ass, long-term, can increase the risk of heart disease and various cancers, and is associated with premature death.

We all die, period. Though over-use of supplements is always going to be an issue, the majority of people taking them are healthy individuals, reducing the risk of heart disease, prolonging their life.

As for various cancers, kids get cancer too, before they even took jack3d!

Soon the defense force wont be allowed to shoot people, as it may increase the chance of injury or premature death!