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Performance-enhancing supplements -

A review of six research studies published in the journal Nutrients concluded that taking CLA supplements can have an effect on reducing body fat in those who also engage in a resistance training exercise program. However, CLA can cause side effects, including upset stomach, nausea, and fatigue.

It can also impact how well the body uses insulin. CLA can interact negatively with certain medications, like antipsychotics. Carnitine transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria.

This allows them to be burned for energy, which can help boost exercise performance. Even so, many athletes continue to take the supplement. Taking more than 3 grams of carnitine per day can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping, and diarrhea.

Carnitine can also interact harmfully with some medications, such as thyroid medications and the blood thinner warfarin. Drugstores often sell the mineral as chromium picolinate. Muscles use creatine to release energy, which enhances lean muscle mass and increases muscle energy.

Those who take creatine often do so as a means to build muscle mass. Taking creatine is also not without its side effects. For example, creatine can cause weight gain, muscle cramping, and stomach cramping.

Additionally, the liver and kidneys must filter creatine. Taking an excessive amount can put a strain on these important organs, which could potentially damage them. Individual results may vary for all of these supplements.

Talk with your doctor or athletic trainer about the safety and effectiveness of individual supplements. The NCAA and the Olympics commission have banned some substances because they offer an unfair advantage or can cause harm to the athlete.

Anabolic and other steroids are illegal in sporting events and according to the law. The side effects are numerous and potentially fatal. Examples include androstenedione, stanozolol, axiron, and fortesta. DHEA is possibly the most abundant steroid in humans.

Using synthetic versions to increase steroid production is potentially dangerous. Diuretics are medications that cause a person to urinate more frequently.

Diuretics can cause a variety of harmful side effects, such as cramping, dizziness, blood pressure drops, and electrolyte imbalances. Blood doping is the process of boosting red blood cells to help carry more oxygen to the muscles and lungs.

It can be done through a blood transfusion or through use of drugs like erythropoietin. Athletes use the medication to make more red blood cells in their bodies. Endurance athletes may especially try to use erythropoietin, believing they they can perform longer with more oxygen.

Ephedrine is a central nervous stimulant. Ephedrine produces similar effects to adrenaline, but it too can be dangerous. It can cause serious cardiovascular effects, including stroke, and a whole host of other problems. Both athletic organizations and the FDA have banned it.

HGH is a drug developed to help treat growth disorders in children. It stimulates cell reproduction and regeneration. Athletes looking to gain an edge may misuse this drug to achieve it. Potential complications include enlarged organs and chronic disease. They can cause more damage than stripping an athlete of a title.

Training, dedication, hydrating fluids, and proper diet are safer options and better than any ergogenic aids for boosting performance. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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Constantly dream of romance? Fixate on thoughts of your partner? Feel a need to always be in love? Combining yohimbine and tyramine found in many foods and wines can cause an acute spike in blood pressure.

In addition to hypertension, side effects of yohimbine include seizures, paralysis and death. The club drug GHB is a CNS depressant made by combining degreaser or floor solvent with drain cleaner. For some reason, a number of uninformed bodybuilders became convinced that they could build muscle mass while they slept by taking GHB.

Some extremely uninformed bodybuilders took GHB around the clock, risking an overdose. A GHB overdose, as well as unsupervised withdrawal, can be fatal. Not surprisingly, there is absolutely no research to support the idea that GHB enhances muscle mass in anyone, awake or not.

Diuretics are sometimes used to hide traces of illegal or banned substances. Competitive bodybuilders sometimes take diuretics before competition to shed excess weight and increase muscle definition.

Taking diuretics, especially during increased physical activity, can lead to dehydration, syncope and heat-related emergencies. The use of most performance-enhancing drugs and supplements appears to be at best a waste of money, and at worst fatal.

For those considering a supplement, here are some tips for selecting wisely Some are ineffective and dangerous only to your pocketbook.

Some, such as anabolic steroids, will work, but pose outrageous risks. Creatine is one of the few supplements that appears to have considerable research to support the claims made of it. Thorough research, consultation with a physician and a healthy skepticism continue to be the best approach toward any drug or supplement.

EMS professionals familiar with the facts are better equipped to discourage use of dangerous supplements and recognize patients who are potentially at risk. For additional information on exercise supplements, visit the following websites:.

National Institutes of Health. Dietary Supplements: Background Information. Coleman E, Nelson-Steen S, Maughan R, Skinner R. Gatorade Sports Science Institute Sports Science Exchange Roundtable Rawson E, Clarkson P.

Scientifically debatable: Is creatine worth its weight? Sports Science Exchange 91 16 : 4, Shaffer I. The Science and Policy of Performance-Enhancing Products.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Conference, Zickler P. NIDA initiatives targets increasing teen use of anabolic steroids. NIDA Notes , August Brink W. The science and policy of performance enhancing supplements.

LifeExtension, March National Institute on Drug Abuse. Research Report Series: Anabolic Steroid Abuse. Kowalski K. The truth behind the hype. Current Health 2 29 : 6, Feb. Steer clear of steroid abuse. Current Health 2 25 : 7, March Mishra R. Steroids and sports are a losing proposition.

FDA Consumer 25 7 : 24, Sept. Quiz: Anabolic Steroids. Wagner C, Morgan M. FDA warns against using andro. Chicago Tribune, March 12, Kohrt WM.

Potential Beneficial Effects of DHEA in Humans. Supplement Watch. Volek J. Creatine Supplementation in the 21st Century.

Archer MC. Use of oral creatine to enhance athletic performance and its potential side effects. Clin J Sports Med 9 2 , April Rados C. Ephedra ban: No shortage of reasons. FDA Consumber Magazine, March—April Associated Press.

Company files suit challenging ephedra ban. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Fact Sheet: HHS Acts to Reduce Safety Concerns Associated with Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedra.

Fry AC, Bonner E, Lewis DL, et al. The effects of gamma-oryzanol supplementation during resistance exercise training. J Sports Nutr.

Brown GA, Vukovich MD, Reifenrath TA, et al. Effects of anabolic precursors on serum testosterone concentrations and adaptations to resistance training in young men. and Exercise Metabolism. Tips for the Savvy Supplement User: Making Informed Decisions and Evaluating Information.

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Advisory Board. About Us. Guidelines for Contributors. Copied to clipboard. Drugs vs. Dietary Supplements There are many different types of dietary supplements that are claimed to provide improved athletic performance, increased muscle mass and faster recovery time between workouts.

Human Growth Hormone HGH HGH is a pituitary hormone that tricks the body into an artificial or prolonged state of puberty, leading to increased testosterone production. Dietary Supplements Androstenedione Andro Andro is the dietary supplement made famous by baseball player Mark McGwire, who took it before it was banned.

Wild Yams Some claim that wild yams Dioscorea villosa can enhance performance due to its anabolic properties. Gamma-Oryzanol Gamma-oryzanol, also known as rice bran oil, is derived from sterol and ferulic acid. Tribulus Terrestris Some claim that tribulus terrestris puncture vine can increase testosterone levels by stimulating the pituitary gland.

Yohimbine Yohimbine is extracted from either yohimbe bark or the South American herb quebracho. Picking a Supplement The use of most performance-enhancing drugs and supplements appears to be at best a waste of money, and at worst fatal.

For those considering a supplement, here are some tips for selecting wisely Make sure the product carries a USP U. Pharmacopeia label. This means it has passed tests for purity and potency.

Select a reputable manufacturer that provides easy access for consumers who have questions or complaints. Reputable manufacturers will be able to provide research that supports claims about their products. Avoid products that make vague, unclear or ridiculous claims.

Always check with your doctor before taking a supplement. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. For additional information on exercise supplements, visit the following websites: www. org www.

com www. html www. References 1. Submit Feedback.

Perfprmance-enhancing Performance-enhancing supplements, "filter": { "nextExceptions": Perfromance-enhancing, blockquote, div", "nextContainsExceptions": "img, blockquote, a. btn, Body cleanse diet. Mediterranean diet and gut health check with supplsments doctor before trying any new supplement, especially if you are taking prescription medications. Beets are a rich source of antioxidants. Consuming beetroot juice prior to exercise has been shown to diminish the muscular fatigue associated with high-intensity exercise. We love drinking green teaespecially before a workout.

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