Oh I have SO done this!! But baggies are a pain. I discovered when my kids were infants that those little formula measuring plastic containers were perfect for holding the right serving of protein powder and they’re made for pouring into bottles!
Clandestine labs. Secret testing. Underground smuggling rings. But this crystalline powder wasn’t being sold on a street corner but rather at Wal-Mart, GNC and other mainstream retailers. And yet Craze – deemed supplement of the year by BodyBuilding.com – may have more in common with street-corner meth than with the protein powders and vitamins it currently shares a shelf with. At the end of last year Japanese scientists announced the discovery of a “methamphetamine-like compound”, N,alpha-diethylphenylethylamine (NADEP), in the hugely popular workout supplement and scientists in four other countries confirmed it in their own tests. (And now we know why it’s so highly rated! Speeeeeeed! Whee!) The company has temporarily stopped production to look into the claims.
It gets worse: Craze isn’t the only supplement to come under recent fire for taking advantage of the lack of FDA oversight – the FDA’s current policy is they don’t police supplements, only drugs – and adding a variety of potent stimulants to their formulas under the guise of “herbs” or “proprietary blends.” OxyElite Pro was also recently taken off store shelves when concerns over its active ingredient, DMAA, a stimulant also described as being chemically similar to meth, was blamed for heart attacks, several deaths and a slew of various other problems. On the bottle it was listed as “geranium extract” – how adorably healthy does that sound?? – but it turns out that it was synthetic and not found in any geraniums on this planet, causing the FDA to investigate. In a Dickensian twist, in the absence of the real Oxy, people started scooping up black market versions and the counterfeits caused an outbreak of hepatitis in Hawaii. Oops.
Unfortunately, while Craze and OxyElite Pro are the most recent examples, they certainly aren’t the only offenders. They’re just the ones who’ve been caught. Remember all the drama when ephedra got pulled from the market? People were enraged that they finally found a supplement that worked and now it was gone. And yeah it worked. It also caused heart attacks. Bad news bears. But to this day you’ll still find a significant amount of people bemoaning it’s loss on weight-lifting boards and in weight-loss chat rooms.
In addition to these, more general supplements are getting called out for fraud and deceptive marketing. The Federal Trade Commission made big news a few days ago when it fined Sensa, L’Occtaine, LeanSpa and HCG Diet Direct $34 million for false advertising. While some of these products were clearly in the “duh for dubious” category, Sensa achieved some serious legitimacy both online and in bricks and mortar stores. But it turns out the makers of the powder which you were supposed to sprinkle on your food to enhance your sense of smell which would in turn satiate your appetite faster, used “bogus clinical studies and paid endorsements” to push their ineffective product.
The New York Times recently featured an article “Spike in harm to liver is tied to dietary aids” about the sudden uptick in severe liver failure. Doctors pinpointed the cause to dietary supplements, mainly fat burners and workout boosters. Up from 7% a decade ago, now a full 20% of acute liver cases are caused by supplements. And the interesting part (to me anyhow) was that while bodybuilders and young men were represented, 2/3 (TWO THIRDS) of the cases were “middle aged women trying to lose weight.” Of those surveyed, nearly a dozen women required liver transplants and three died. I know that some people may say that three deaths isn’t much considering the thousands of people who use these products but considering that the supplements are purely optional I think any deaths at all are too many. They wanted to lose a few pounds – that shouldn’t be punishable by death.
Full disclosure: There was a time in my life I was ALL about whatever little “help” or boost I could get. I wanted to be the fastest, most energetic, thinnest, smartest, strongest girl on the block. (Perfectionist much?) I’ve tried every single one of the supplements mentioned in this post (plus a lot more not mentioned) and while some of them made me really really sick, none of them killed me. And a lot of the time they did give me more energy, help me lift more, and even helped lose some weight – but all of the effects were temporary. I never found anything that lasted in the long run and the side effects (dizziness, sweating, nausea, panic attacks, heart palpitations, insomnia) got progressively worse. And I always gained back every pound lost and then some. So while they might have worked in the short term, they sure didn’t in the long run.
Yet every time I write about the shady crap that permeates the supplement industry I get a lot of comments/e-mail reaming me for being a fear-monger or an alarmist or just a plain ol’ idiot that has her science on bass-ackwards. People get mighty protective of their favorite supplements. Usually they get cranky because they think a few people who can’t follow the directions on the label (or are just weaker?) are ruining it for the rest of us. As long as they can take it and feel fine then why should they worry about others who can’t?
When I interviewed Dr. Shawn Talbott, PhD, a nutritional biochemist and author of The Vigor Diet, The New Science of Feeling Your Best, about this for a magazine he put it bluntly: “These supplements are risky for everyone but are more risky for certain people who are more sensitive to stimulants. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell who those people are – or who may have dangerous reactions – until they try it.” He says that because these stimulants (like Craze and OxyElite Pro) will boost energy while suppressing appetite they are often used by people before exercise to pump them up but he cautions that the subsequent jump in heart rate and blood pressure can be very dangerous for some people.
Then there’s the argument that if a supplement makes some feel bad then they can always stop taking it. This is true but when companies use such deceptive practices, as outlined above, people may not realize the damage being done to the them. After all, the heart damage from Ephedra appears to have been cumulative – and you didn’t know when yours had hit it’s limit until you had a heart attack. Plus, some of the substances are addicting.
If you are going to use sports supplements, it’s important that consumers take a very proactive approach to stay safe, Talbott warns. “The supplement market is very much a “buyer beware” category – so consumers need to ask questions of the companies that they are considering buying from.” He points out that reputable companies will answer questions, disclose ingredients, and provide safety and research evidence for their products – and not just research funded by their own company. He adds that you can always buy supplements that are “NSF Certified for Sport” which means they have been tested to the highest standard to ensure that they do not contain any illegal substances.
For myself, I finally decided that winning my age group in a race or keeping up with the guys on the weight floor wasn’t worth the risk of leaving my kids motherless and I quit all of them. These days I don’t even use protein powder (mostly because I just don’t like it – I never had a bad reaction to plain-jane, unenhanced protein powders). And as multiple recent studies continue to sound the death knell, all my multi-vitamins are gone. Not only do multi-vitamins not increase your life span but they also don’t prevent heart attacks, cognitive decline or cancer. In fact, in some instances they seem to increase cancer rates. So now the only stuff left in my supplement box is fish oil, vitamin D and magnesium. (Oh and biotin, because I’m still trying to grow back all the hair I lost…)
Talbott gives one final rule of thumb: “When the safety warnings are longer than the benefit statements, people should question whether this is something they really want to put into their bodies.”
For me, in the end, it always comes down to one question: Why exactly are you taking this? No, seriously, why? Is it to lean out for a competition? Gain muscle? Lose a few pounds? Do more work on less sleep? To push harder in your workouts? And then to whichever of those answers you choose, I would ask again: And why do you need to do that? Are any of those things worth risking your liver, your heart or even your life over? Yes, many people that use these drugs are fine but for those goals there should be no acceptable level of risk. Ignore the supplement companies and their slick adverts: They play to your fears and your vanity in order to get your money. If you can’t do it under your own power then maybe you should not be doing it.
But hey there is a silver lining: You’re going to save so much money because those supplements are not cheap!
Have any of you ever had a bad reaction to a supplement? What supps do you consider essential? Anyone else surprised that the “science” behind Sensa was ALL bogus?? (I kinda was, honestly.)
Never had a desire to use a performance enhancing supplement.
(Unless you count a guitar pick. And that is only for some songs.)
I like protein powder…I just have not used any in a while.
As a teenager…I ran a lot…and worked out with weights a lot and did martial arts work out…a lot…and surprise! A lot plus a lot plus a lot turned out to be too much.
I hit a wall.
Seemingly made of bricks lined by logs and re-enforced with steel.
I had developed a doctor diagnosed Vitamin “C” deficiency.
My Dad…always interested in nutrition…got me back on track with a quality vitamin and good eating.
But the “move faster” “work harder” “lift heavier” world of supplements never tempted me.
I always figured there was really no honesty or fun in cheating….and one would only wind up cheating themselves.
I enjoy every comment you make.
*smiles broadly*
THANK-YOU!
I have enjoyed every comment that I have read of yours as well!
THIS ONE…on this post today…in reply to mine…might just be my favorite though!
I think I’ll put it on my resume!
Thank-you again!
I don’t consider protein powder “essential” but it sure does help when I’ve run out of chicken breast and need to refuel after a lifting session!
Essential? D3, quality alfalfa (helps with PMS, Peri and menopause symptoms, and as a bonus my thyroid functions better), magnesium … yup. That’s all. I still take milk thistle for my liver and iron cuz I tend to be LOW, fish oil (although I eat lots of VCO, MCT, butter and avocado), and Maca (for the female hormones) – but on the days I forget to take my supplements, I have the top 3 in my emergency stash at the office. (Plus I always carry a couple extra synthroid in my purse – just in case – can’t run out of those). OH WAIT! I forgot turmeric! How can I forget turmeric! On the days I forget to take it, my bursitis flares up and reminds me. That stuff is pure magic!
Right now, I take a pre-natal vitamin, fish oil (when my stomach will let me) and d3. Even when not preg, I take a multivitamin, mostly because I have several food intolerances and I seem to get deficient in iron and b vitamins otherwise. I’ve never tried supplementsr protein powder.
So glad you wrote about this. The supplement industry and its fans are out of control. I think it should be regulated, but that’s another topic. We are a culture of “want it nows” and quick fixes, and as long as that’s the case, these supplements will thrive. Totally disturbing stuff!
I take vit. D and fish oil, as well, simply b/c I my bloodwork suggested I needed them…otherwise, I aim to get everything I need from food.
Fish oil capsules
Vitamin D
Glucosamine/Chondroitin
That’s it. A decade ago when I discovered Tom Venuto’s “Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle” program, I was using plain old protein powder as an after workout meal. I do believe it helped; I really did put on quite a bit of muscle and got very strong during that time period.
I’m just gonna echo Misszippy (and everyone else): Too often the voices of reason are overwhelmed by the proponents of these iffy supplements. It’s a huge industry, with millions of dollars on the line. And, to be honest, if many of the folks who are taking these supplements ARE addicted to them, they’re not going to be the coolest, calmest people in the debate.
I’ve stopped taking multivitamins. I’ll take Omega-3 and the occasional digestive enzyme, and sometimes I add Vega protein powder to my smoothies.
Oh, and I have one cup of coffee per day.
One, large, gigantor,-mutant-alien-from-another-galaxy-come-to-destroy-us-all-sized cup of coffee.
I just imagined someone taking the carafe off of the maker and pouring it down their gullet. * snort*
🙂
I’m one of those Quest Bar addicts, because they taste like candy bars to me and pack a bunch of protein and fiber without sugar or soy (you do NOT want to be around me after I eat soy). I have at least a half bar a day, and I count it as a “supplement” because I don’t think it’s exactly a virtuous whole food. And I still take some pills for reasons I don’t even remember… quercetin? CoQ10? Pycnogenol? Turmeric? Cinnamon? … all had something that looked like valid research at some point but I’m too lazy to go back and see if still true. I still believe whole foods are best, but I’m a sucker for a quick fix if there’s a study behind it.
I take fish oil, glucosamine, and cinnamon on the regular. Fish oil because I just don’t like eating fish so I don’t get enough omega 3s (and I think it helps my nails and hair, too). Glucosamine because my joints deserve some love. Cinnamon because I found it does help me with my sugar cravings (never thought I’d be rid of the 3 p.m. “need a candy bar NOW” problem).
I did try garcinia cambogia but I feel it had an adverse effect on. . .wait for it. . .my anus. Yup. I got crazy ‘rhoids while using it and I think it was just because it messed with the overall consistency of my poo (too big, too hard and TMI!). So I ditched it. Painful lesson to learn, not to mess with the butthole.
I will use plain old caffeine pills from time to time (well, they’re those Mega T “diet” pills but they’re really just caffeine pills). I keep a few around for times when I need a caffeine perk me up but can’t get any tea. I started taking them when I was weaning off of pop/soda (which I’m totally off of now) and I haven’t had any side effects. I’m careful with them. I don’t take more than two a day and never after 4 p.m. (so my sleep doesn’t get messed up).
I was listening to a show call ed Sound Medicine on NPR and they were talking to experts about supplements. One of the experts said that the only supplement which may be actually do what is says is creatine. I haven’t tried it but I’m tempted.
Can I ask you why you take magnesium? I’m just curious! I found out my vitamin D level is 12.7 (normal is above 30 I think) so my doctor put me on a high dose vitamin D prescription pill. I’m also taking fish oil and calcium. Wondering if I should consider magnesium as well. I like to hear the info about multi-vitamins since I’ve never noticed any benefits when I took them but always felt like maybe I wasn’t doing everything I could for my health.
All that Sensa stuff was pretty convincing though! I really did want to believe it but I could never quite get there. I’m not super surprised but it’s disappointing that fake science can still get through.
13 years ago, I was desperate to lose about the weight I’d gained during my last pregnancy. There was a weight loss supplement that contained Ma Huang. I cannot for the life of me remember what the product was called, but it was touted on a local Christian radio station. I took a quarter of the dosage and was WIRED. Shaky, LOTS of energy. I did lose some weight, but more than anything, I began having heart palpitations. Actually, my heart began to regularly break dance. I stopped taking it about 10 days into it…should have immediately.
Now I take B-12 spray, turmeric more than anything. I have started taking Back To Balance, which I get through T-Tapp.
Oh yeah..magnesium. I get that by rubbing oil onto the bottom of my feet.
I started training a guy who wanted to bulk up and asked if I recommend any sort of a weight gainer.
I said “sure, vanilla ice cream topped with peanut butter is great.”
I think half the people in the gym dropped their smoothies and protein shakes in shock. I was actually dead serious. He’s been doing it a few times a week and has hit a new top weight without any increase in body fat.
So I smell something fishy. Isn’t it crazy how our fitness culture goes to great lengths telling us not to eat all sorts of foods and then puts even more effort into selling us supplements and “clean foods” which aren’t really regulated, are even more processed and hold even less nutritional value?
That’s what the doctor told my friend to eat 3 times a week when she was pregnant with twins! No lie!
Charlotte,
Wow, great post. With the rush to get in shape and stay fit, every supplement manufacturer is pushing their product with hard to believe claims of weight loss, improved memory, and also a million dollars will end up on your doorstep if you take this supplement. How ridiculous. I try to stay as natural as possible. I take glucosamine, potassium, and magnesium and then run regularly. That’s about it, not complicated but simple.
Love your post, great write up!
I just had to laugh when I read this. I just cleaned out my bathroom and found two bottles of TrimSpa with Anna Nicole Smith on the bottle expired in 2006. Don’t judge me! The bathroom cabinets are always the last to be cleaned. Although over the years I have been sucked into many a false claim from weight loss products, I now only take Vitamin D3 (can’t bring myself to go out in this horrid MN winter), calcium/magnesium/zinc (quit drinking milk because I could not stop at 2 cups or 10 and would rather eat the calories than drink them to feel full; lost 18 lbs so far), and I cut out cola diet and regular because the carbonation is calcium leaching.
I’ve really only used basic things like protein powder, turmeric, D3, etc. I used to read Oxygen and a lot of ads were somewhat horrifying. Women far from their natural state- spray tanned Orange, enormous implants under 1 cm of skin, freakishly defined muscles. .. yuck. If you have to resort to unnatural methods to look like that… Well maybe it just isn’t healthy. Not anymore healthy than sickly thin fashion models.
I take a MV, D3, Omega, Magnesium, protein powder, and Creatine. The Omega and D3 have made a noticeable improvement in my depression, the protein powders help me get in my protein (and they just taste good), and the Creatine has helped me put on muscle.
The website Examine.com is probably the best place to research supplements and the science (or lack thereof) behind them. It’s unbiased and consistently updated. I send all my clients there when they have supplement questions.
And here’s an article rebuttal that I recently saw about vitamins and supplements that gives you some food for thought:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-r-gaby-md/vitamins-study_b_4481739.html
Having said that working with a Garcinia Cambogia supplement you may steer clear of for the reason that this supplement will provide you with a
various method to fat reduction. The Hydroxycitric acid in Garcinia Cambogia can assist you to increase those degrees.
Copyright (c) 2013 Jane Davy – Article Source: you looking to lose weight naturally and get in
the best shape of your life.
I’ve never tried anything but vitamins and protein powders, but I tossed my vitamins a while back. About a year ago I got some very unexpected joint problems, considering I’m in my 20’s and healthy. My knees hurt and one of my thumbs completely locked up. I could barely move it. I’d just about convinced myself I had fibromyalgia or something similarly awful, and went to a fibro support forum. I posted my complaints and asked if anyone thought I had fibro (yeah, I know, a doctor’s better but I was poor and had no insurance. I was going to go in eventually). One person mentioned that they had some “weird things going on with their joints but reducing their calcium intake cleared it up”. I thought this sounded completely loony, but the truth was I had been getting more calcium lately. I’d gone from a vegan to a vegetarian and I was having dairy, as well as my usual almond milk and multivitamin loaded with calcium. I decided I didn’t have much to loose and stopped taking the vitamin. It didn’t even take a week for my joints to go back to normal!
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