Supplement abuse can cause short-term acute symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea and long-term adverse effects such as nutrient imbalances or toxicity. Furthermore, some supplements contain substances banned by athletic governing bodies and some may contain impurities. Many clients do not think to report various supplements in a diet record or recall interview because supplements may not be considered food and they are often not consumed with meals. Bodybuilders may also be reluctant to disclose the use of some supplements, especially those that are prohibited by sports governing bodies. Information on the use of supplements must be elicited by educated probing. The professional should be familiar with the range of supplements used by athletes in various sports and should develop a rapport with clients that will facilitate probing about the use of supplements, both the common vitamin and mineral preparations and the more exotic products targeted to athletes. identifies common supplement categories that athletes might use.
It is important to recognize that this table indicates the categories in common use in particular sports, but individuals may use a wide variety of substances, so probing should be done across all categories. It is also important to recognize that athletes may not quate a supplement they take with a generic category, so the interviewer should become familiar with brand names and common names of products used by athletes in a particular program. For example, anabolic compounds include creatine monohydrate, beta hydroxy beta methylbutrate, chorionic gonadotropin, human growth hormone, dihydroepiandrosterone, androstenediol and many others.
Eachmay be marketed under a variety of common and brand names. Endurance compounds include coenzyme Q-10, medium chain tryglycerides and pyruvate. Stimulants include caffeine, ephedrine and dimethylamphetamine. Products in the energy category, consisting of sports drinks and power bars with high energy content derived mainly from simple sugars, are widely consumed and have the most direct nutritional impact.
The bars may contain proteins and minerals, while the beverages typically contain high concentrations of electrolytes. The “Other” category includes herbal products that are becoming more common in the marketplace and in the athlete’s pharmacopoeia. They have diverse effects ranging from diuresis to decreased perception of fatigue or pain.