Supplementation
Sports supplements are part of the Dynamic Nutrition Approach. Scientific studies show that in addition to well-known benefits of maintaining proper health, physical and mental performance can be enhanced with sports nutrition supplements. Protein supplements offer a convenient and economical way to get daily high-quality protein intake. For strength athletes, several supplements can be helpful for optimum muscle growth and repair. For maximum aerobic energy, which is of interest to long-distance athletes, special energy drinks can be used, in addition to special metabolites, such as carnitine. Recent research also supports the use of supplement nutrition therapy to help reduce pain and inflammation and heal injuries, these therapeutic supplement agents include different herbs, amino acids (such as DL-glutamine), bioflavonoids, antioxidants and a special metabolite called glucosamine that has been shown to repair connective tissues.
The supplement market seems to have a product for a slew of intended goals: muscle growth, longevity, disease prevention, etc. Given the influx of supplements on the market today, it is no wonder why many may find it difficult to make a distinction between sports supplements, performance supplements, bodybuilding supplements and/or natural supplements; terms synonymous with the word dietary supplement. In 1994 a law entitled the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act or DSHEA provided the FDA’s definition of a “dietary supplement;”
Vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals (except tobacco), amino acids, any dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake and a concentration, metabolite, constituent, extract or combination of any of the above-listed ingredient
Reason supplements have wording that says: “This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease”?
This statement or “disclaimer” is required by law (DSHEA) when a manufacturer makes a structure/function claim on a dietary supplement label. In general, these claims describe the role of a nutrient or dietary ingredient intended to affect the structure or function of the body. The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and truthfulness of these claims; they are not approved by FDA. The law says that if a dietary supplement label includes such a claim, it must state in a “disclaimer” that FDA has not evaluated this claim. The disclaimer must also state that this product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease,” because only a drug can legally make such a claim.
In the Our Area, we can purchase anything classified as a supplement without a prescription. The broad definition of a dietary supplement has spurred the recent influx of new products like DHEA and androstenedione, pro-hormones that in the past would not have been classified as supplements. The safety of supplements is always going to dependent upon an individual’s specific state of health and level of physical activity. It is also contingent upon following the product’s direction and not over-dosing any of the supplements being taken. Vitamins and minerals have been sold and used for many decades and have an excellent safety record when taken as directed. For many of the essential, vitamins and minerals you will minerals will find recommended daily values (DV) on the labels. In some instances, certain vitamins and minerals ill need to be taken in at least 100% of the daily values, and sometimes in higher amounts.