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Supplements
and Your Performance (Part
I)
Can
you really build more muscle,
increase your speed, enhance
your endurance, better
your game or make other
enticing performance improvements
with the help of powders
and potions?
Cyndy Maynard, MS, RD, says, "The
body of research is growing,
but there's still alot
we don't know. Dietary
supplements, including ergogenic
aids (foods or supplements
believed to enhance physical
performance above normal
levels), are not regulated
by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, which means
these productrs can be marketed
without proof of safety,
potency, or efficacy." Maynard
offers this research update
on 10 popular supplements.
Note:
Caution is advised. Consult
with a physician or registered
dietician regarding effectiveness,
safety and dosage before
using an ergogenic aid.
1. Human Growth Hormone
Human Growth Hormone (HGH), secreted by the body's pituitary gland,
activates the growth of bone and tissue. Research indicates that supplementation
with synthetic hGH dose increase muscle size and enhance strength in
hGH-deficient individuals, such as the elderly; however, research in
healthy, normal subjects is much less clear. At this time, supplementing
with hGH poses numerous problems: Product quality and claims are often
questionable, side effects can be dangerous and risks of long-term use
are unknown.
2.
Carnitine
Carnitine is a vitamin-like compound synthesized in the body. Our daily
needs for carnatine are generally supplied through dietary sources such
as beef, poultry, fish, and some dairy products. There is no lack of
research on carnatine, but results are mixed. Most experts do not recommend
carnatine supplementation because there is no substantial evidence to
indicate that it benefits performance or helps reduce body fat.
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