Got Supplements?

July 26, 2019Got Supplements?

The supplement business is a multi-billion dollar industry that is not currently regulated like conventional food and drug products by the Food and Drug Administration. The use of supplements is designed to add further nutritional value to the diet, not to act as a meal replacement.

U.S. Air Force photo illustration and caption/ Airman 1st Class Daniel Brosam

Story by: LT Lorna H. Brown MS, RD, LDN Department Head - Health Promotion Registered Dietitian U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella

In the military community the use of supplements is a hot topic. We all want to be within standards, be stronger and faster, and fit the warfighter model.

As consumers we purchase expensive over-the-counter supplements that promise weight-loss, muscle growth, improved performance, decreased recovery time and a multitude of other reasons. But did you know that some dietary supplements are believed to contain illegal substances? Or that military members have suffered medical consequences like changes in blood pressure, headaches stroke, depression, dehydration, anxiety, irregular or elevated heart rates, and lethal exhaustion.

The deaths of some service members have even been linked to some of these products. In order to understand how this could be possible, we first need to understand what a dietary supplement is and then we need examine how we determine its safety.

The general definition of a dietary supplement is a manufactured product, such as a vitamin or mineral, taken as a complement to food to replace nutrients that may be missing in a person’s diet. But dietary supplements also include energy drinks and sports nutrition products used to enhance performance. They can come in the form of a pill, capsule, powder, drink, gels, or bar. While a dietary supplement may be a helpful addition, it’s important to realize that the safety and effectiveness of supplements have not been proven scientifically and are essentially unknown.

Many people assume the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tests dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness like prescription drugs. It does not! No testing is performed. The FDA only regulates dietary supplements and requires that companies submit safety data about any new ingredient not sold in the United States prior to 1994. With this new knowledge onboard, how can a consumer know if a product is safe, effective, or even contains the ingredients listed on the label?

To complicate matters, some supplements may interfere with the action of prescription or over-thecounter medications you are taking. This could cause an increase in side effects or reduce effectiveness. To begin to protect yourself from possible negative side-effects of supplements it is very important to share any supplements you are taking with your medical personnel.

Now that you are aware of some of the dangers of supplements, the below resources are available to educate service members, retirees, family members, leaders, healthcare providers, and civilians about dietary supplements and how to choose wisely.

• Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) can help you learn more about the safety and usage of dietary supplements. NMCPHC can be accessed at: www.nmcphc.med.navy.mil

• Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS) can help you identify supplements that may pose a potential health risk to your health or career. OPSS can be accessed online at: www. opss.org.

• Human Performance Resource Center (HPRC) provides information for optimal performance focusing on psychological, social, familial, behavioral, nutritional, physical, and environmental fitness. HPRC can be accessed online at: www.hprc-online.org