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Great Video about Dietary Supplements

penlynwilsonpenlynwilson
in General Training Discussions

There is little to no regulation of dietary supplements here in the US. They can pretty much claim what they want and put in them what they want without having to prove anything.



I show this clip in my Sports Nutriton class each semester when we talk about ergogenics. Take a look, then tell me if your view of supplements has changed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cau_kdLUX60&feature=related

Comments

  • dan_forbesdan_forbes

     Thanks!  This is one of the reasons I stopped spending money on them a year ago.  

  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    I've seen that before...SCARY!
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    I hadn't seen this before. In fact, the messages in the clip are almost contradictory. First, there's a good chance if the stuff is legal that it doesn't work. Second, if the stuff is illegal then it probably does. There's no doubt there is cheating in age group triathlon with HGH and Steroids. WTC may have added testing but they need to actually start doing it, and prove there will be consequences, before it will have an effect. I do take vitamins and supplements. Had a nutriitionist go over my diet and all my pills last year for several months-- that was insightful because he showed me where I was getting too much, and not enough, and he gave me all the available evidence (or lack thereof ) on the supplements.
  • Matt SamojedenMatt Samojeden
    As always - if it sounds to good to be ture it is!!!
  • penlynwilsonpenlynwilson
    The messages may seem a bit contradictory. The points I make with my students are:
    1) Dietary supplements are not tested/approved to do what they say they do by anyone including the FDA (most consumers think the FDA tests dietary supplements like drugs)
    2) Dietary supplements can have things in them not listed on the label. Contamination is a HUGE problem.
    3) They may or may not have in them what is listed on the label in the amounts listed.
    4) Quality control of the production process is non-existent. There are new rules coming that mandate that dietary supplement manufacturers follow Good Manufacturing Processes (but that is only as good as the enforcement).
    5) Don't believe the ads.
    6) Buyer beware!
  • Eric RueppelEric Rueppel
    Sad that so many people will use supplements thinking they are bettering themselves.
  • smtalbottsmtalbott
    As the author of 2 textbooks on dietary supplements and a former college professor (u of utah) where I developed and taught an award-winning course devoted to dietary supplements, I feel that I need to set a few things straight about dietary supplements. The video posted was from a documentary about steroids (not supplements) - I know the director and we have shared thoughts about his documentary and about mine (www.killeratlarge.com) on the obesity epidemic.

    Supplements are just that - SUPPLEMENTS - on their OWN they will not make you faster or leaner or more aerodynamic (ha ha) - but they DO serve a role when used properly. My company conducts clinical trial research for dozens of nutrition companies - many of them for dietary supplements - and while I whole-heartedly agree that MOST of the supplements on the market are garbage (and some are illegal), there are lots of worthwhile products that can help with general nutrition, endurance, recovery, etc.

    I'll add a couple notes to Penny's points for clarity:

    1) Dietary supplements are not tested/approved to do what they say they do by anyone including the FDA (most consumers think the FDA tests dietary supplements like drugs)
    -The LAW states that any claims for dietary supplements (just like for any food) "must be truthful and not misleading" - which is the same standard that FDA uses for foods - but different from drugs - and supplements fall somewhere in between and are regulated as such...

    2) Dietary supplements can have things in them not listed on the label. Contamination is a HUGE problem.
    -This is like the "rat hair in your peanut butter" situation - very distasteful, but true - and means you should choose your supplements from a company that enlists third-party testing of raw materials and finished products (we enlist Banned Substances Control Group for some of our clients)...

    3) They may or may not have in them what is listed on the label in the amounts listed.
    -See comment above

    4) Quality control of the production process is non-existent. There are new rules coming that mandate that dietary supplement manufacturers follow Good Manufacturing Processes (but that is only as good as the enforcement).
    -The GMP rules have been in place for more than a year - but there are still supplements (as in the steroid movie above) that get made in some dude's bathroom - these are criminals and no amount of new laws is going to change that (I agree with Penny that we need better enforcement)...

    5) Don't believe the ads.
    -Agreed!!!

    6) Buyer beware!
    -Double Agreement!!!!

    I take a range of supplements every day, but I know where they come from and what is in them, and I am a "foods first" scientist (my phd is in nutritional biochem) - so I am not looking for my supplements to "replace" my good diet. I feel very strongly that endurance athletes can derive significant benefits from certain dietary supplements and help them keep up with the demands of training - but certainly, not all supplements are created equal.

    Shawn Talbott
  • penlynwilsonpenlynwilson
    @Shawn: Great information! I agree with food first and also take a few daily supplements.
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