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Slide Show
Outline
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Steroids and Performance Enhancement Supplements
  • Ellen Coleman, RD, MA, MPH
  • The Sport Clinic
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Anabolic Steroids
  • Derivatives of male hormone testosterone
  • Used to increase muscle size and strength
  • Monitoring the Future Study found that lifetime steroid use:
  • Reached new high of 3.7% among 12th graders in 2001
  • Doubled since 1993 in 10th graders
  • Higher than use of PCP (angel dust)
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Steroids: Side Effects
  • Increased acne
  • “Roid rage” – uncontrolled aggressive behavior
  • Liver problems
  • Unfavorable changes in blood fats:
  • Increased LDL (bad) cholesterol
  • Decreased HDL (good cholesterol)
  • Blood clotting disorders
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Steroids: Side Effects
  • Men:
  • Shrinkage of testicles – grapes to raisins
  • Breast growth (gynecomastia)
  • Balding
  • Women:
  • Growth of facial and body hair
  • Deepening of the voice
  • Enlarged genitalia
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Steroids: Other Concerns
  • Steroid users may share needles – increases risk of HIV and AIDS
  • DEA Schedule III controlled substance: most steroids obtained via black market
  • Mexico is primary source in southern CA
  • Most black market steroids are counterfeit: no guarantee of purity or potency
  • Injecting counterfeit steroids is about as sanitary as eating and drinking human waste



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Steroids: Side Effects
  • During use:
  • Mania
  • Homicidal thoughts and behaviors
  • Grandiose or paranoid delusions
  • During withdrawal:
  • Depression
  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
  • Addiction


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Ephedrine
  • Central nervous system stimulant and decongestant
  • Structurally similar to amphetamines: increases heart rate and blood pressure
  • Claims: promotes body fat loss; improves aerobic and anerobic performance
  • Ma Huang, Ephedra Sinica, Sida Cordifolia contain ephedrine




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Ephedrine – FDA
  • RAND study: evidence for ephedrine increasing performance insufficient
  • RAND study: ephedrine promoted short-term weight loss – 1 lb per month over placebo
  • FDA prohibited ephedrine-containing supplements in February 2004 due to unreasonable risk of illness and injury
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Ephedrine
  • Side effects: GI distress, dizziness,  headache, irregular pulse, heart attack, stroke, seizure, psychosis and death
  • Variable potency, poor quality control, banned substance


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Caffeine
  • Stimulant: increases epinephrine levels
  • Does not promote body fat loss; mild thermic effect at best
  • 5 to 6 mg caffeine/kg may improve short-term intense and prolonged aerobic exercise
  • Guarana, Kola nut, Mate, Red Bull, No-Doze, Vivarin contain caffeine
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Caffeine
  • Side effects:      diuresis, nausea, muscle tremor, palpitations and headache
  • Caffeine increases effects of ephedrine
  • Does not increase risk of dehydration
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Citrus Aurantium
  • Citrus Aurantium (bitter orange) contains synephrine
  • Synephrine is a stimulant similar to caffeine and ephedrine
  • Doesn’t appear to have same negative stimulant effects as ephedrine
  • Modest thermogenic effect
  • Further research required on safety, efficacy




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Green Tea Extract
  • Mild thermogenic effect: high content of catechin-polyphenols (EGCG) + caffeine
  • Catechin-polyphenols ­ norepinephrine levels (↓ norepinephrine breakdown)
  • Green tea extract (90 mg EGCG; 50 mg caffeine) ­ energy expenditure by 4% and fat use compared to caffeine + placebo
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Conjugated Linoleic
Acids (CLA)
  • Isomers of linoleic acid (essential fatty acid)
  • Claims: reduce fat deposition, increase lipolysis, enhance fatty acid oxidation
  • 64 days of 3 g CLA/day: no effect on body composition or energy expenditure
  • Further research warranted




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Arginine for “Nitric Oxide”
  • Nitric oxide synthase enzyme catalyzes oxidation of arginine to produce nitric oxide and subsequent vasodilation
  • Theory: nitric oxide increases blood flow, oxygen transport, delivery of nutrients to muscle
  • Claims: “Nitric oxide” supplements increase muscle size and strength


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Arginine for “Nitric Oxide”
  • No evidence that nitric oxide promotes greater muscle protein synthesis or improves muscle strength
  • No proof that arginine influences nitric oxide levels in muscles
  • Arginine may benefit patients with angina, claudication, heart failure


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Creatine
  • Increases Cr and CP content in muscles
  • May improve high-power performance <30 seconds and delay onset of fatigue
  • Increases body mass by ~ 3 to 7 lbs
  • Loading: 20-25 g/day for 5 to 7 days; 5 g/day for one month
  • Maintenance: 2-5 g/day
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Creatine
  • Side effects: weight gain
  • Athletes using creatine must drink adequate fluids
  • Lack of long-term safety data






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Creatine
  • May alter balance and agility
  • Supplements with creatine or protein may also contain banned substances





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Protein

  • Requirements:
  • Strength athletes:
  • 1.6 – 1.7 g/kg/day
  • Endurance athletes:
  • 1.2 – 1.4  g/kg/day





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Protein
  • To gain 1 lb of muscle:
  • 3,500 calories
  • 100 g protein
  • To gain 1 lb in a week
  • 500 extra calories per day
  • 14 extra g protein per day





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Protein
  • Excess protein (over 2 g/kg/day) not incorporated into muscle – increases amino acid oxidation
  • Adequate calorie intake = ample protein intake
  • Protein supplements are convenient but not superior to dietary protein
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Timing of Protein Intake
  • Fueling is critical before and after strength training
  • Protein provides amino acids for muscle protein synthesis
  • Carbohydrate increases amino acid uptake and restores muscle glycogen




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Glutamine
  • Major fuel for cells of immune system + gut
  • Conditionally essential during periods of metabolic stress and critical illness
  • Claims: reduces muscle catabolism and promotes tissue repair (increases muscle cell volume), reduces infections
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Glutamine
  • Benefits for preventing illness not well-established
  • Adequate calorie and carbohydrate intake maintain normal glutamine status, boost immunity, stimulate muscle synthesis
  • 0.5 g/lb for 6 weeks: no effect on body composition, catabolism, or performance
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Whey Protein
  • Claims: increases muscle mass better than other proteins, enhances immunity (20% of protein in milk)
  • 20 g whey/day increased peak power, work capacity, glutathione compared to casein
  • May enhance performance by reducing oxidative stress and subsequent muscular fatigue; further research warranted



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“After testing positive for nandrolone,
Fritz Aanes suffers two heartbreaks..”
  • Lost the bronze medal
  • Banned for two years from competition
  • Protested drug test
  • Denied taking steroids
  • Lab confirmed dietary supplement contained nandrolone – not listed on label


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Choosing a Supplement
  • Products that have USP (United States Pharmacopeia) on the supplement label
  • Products eligible for ConsumerLab seal of approval – www.consumerlab.com
  • Nationally known food and drug companies with tight manufacturing controls
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Choosing a Supplement
  • Supplement label should provide appropriate and accurate information
  • Be wary if statements are unclear or label makes preposterous claims
  • Avoid products with claims that sound too good to be true
  • No dietary supplement can guarantee optimum performance or health





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FDA – Evaluating Supplement Information on Internet
  • Look for sites run by government, university, or reputable medical/health association
  • Is site’s purpose to educate or sell product?
  • Is site’s information supported by research and cited in PubMed?
  • Think twice about chasing the latest headline: science advances by small steps and slowly building towards consensus
  • http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-savvy.html



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Final Thoughts
  • By definition, a supplement is a substance to augment the diet
  • Use proven dietary strategies for athletic performance, weight loss, and health
  • Be aware of potential benefits/risks of dietary supplements and lack of quality control