Operation Supplement Safety: "Whey"ing Your Options

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bonnie Grantham
  • 319 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  In the Air Force culture, physical fitness is being pushed more and more each day. It is considered a vital pillar to Comprehensive Airman Fitness.  With it playing such a huge role in an Airman's life and career, it makes sense that Airmen are reaching out to different resources to improve their personal fitness. In an effort to better themselves, many Airmen are delving into the supplement world head-first.

It is important to understand that while supplements say that they will make you "stronger," "faster," and "healthier," there's no real scientific evidence that they actually do.

"There's no real scientific research on these supplements," said Leah Melquist, the Health and Wellness Center health promotion manager at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. "Anyone can make supplements, and they never go through the Food and Drug Administration."

One of the most popular supplements that is often overlooked is the energy drink. Not many people think of energy drinks as supplements, but anything that completes or enhances something else when added to it is a supplement by definition.

"Energy drinks are considered supplements, and they are not recommended," said Melquist. "They are loaded with too much caffeine for even a healthy heart."

Although, that's not to say that you have to cut them out completely. It's important to remember to drink them in moderation, and be sure to space out how often they are consumed, said Melquist.

How can an Airman be informed when making decisions about choosing supplements then?

The first step to making an informed decision would be to talk to your healthcare provider.

"Always talk to your doctor before trying a new supplement," said Melquist. "When people with undiagnosed heart conditions take supplements that accelerate their heart rate, it can be lethal. It's also important to let your doctor know what else you're taking so you can understand how the different drugs will interact together."

Another way to stay educated is to use online resources such as the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (http://www.naturaldatabase.com) and the Office of Dietary Supplements (http://ods.od.nih.gov). The DoD has even created a website named Human Performance Research Center (http://hprc-online.org), that was designed to guide service members to make healthy, informed decisions about the supplements they choose. On the DoD website, service members can learn which supplements are banned by the DoD and which supplements the DoD considers safe.

Since supplements do not have to undergo tests by the FDA, the consumers are considered the testing agents.

"We are essentially human guinea pigs for supplements because they are not regulated or tested before they hit the shelf," said Melquist.

This is why the third way to research supplements is by reading reviews on the internet and knowing which brands are popular and trusted.

"I read reviews on the internet and different websites by people who have used the supplement," said Airman Dakota Stantz, 69th Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance apprentice. "I read how people have reacted to the supplement and how it has helped them."

Stantz has been taking a protein supplement and amino acids off and on for the past six years. The supplements he uses are to help him gain weight in muscle mass and maintain it longer than he would be able to without the supplements.

Another supplement user, Senior Airman Abel Trejo, 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels journeyman, said he also recommends reading reviews before trying a new product.

"I read reviews on products and the nutrition facts," said Trejo. "Don't just take something because someone tells you to."

When considering choosing a supplement, it's important to remember that they are not regulated, and the nutrition label doesn't always list every ingredient in the product. Researching brands and using well-known brands, taking only the recommended serving size and looking for third-party testing labels on supplements helps to ensure that the product in question is safe for use.

Also, whether you're looking to gain weight or lose weight, always remember that no supplement is more important than food. Most ingredients in supplements actually come from food. It is possible to research supplements and find that some foods work in the same way and are also cheaper than the product in question. For instance, green tea and green tea extract can help boost a person's metabolism as well as energy without the harmful side effects that weight loss stimulants can pose on one's heart.

Although he might not be an expert, experts probably will agree with Airman Justin House, 319th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter apprentice, when he says that food trumps all.

"Food is the best supplement you can take," said House. "There are a lot of unsafe supplements out there, and anything more than food and protein is probably unnecessary."

Writer's Note: For more information about safely using supplements, see links provided next to article.