Busted Supplements

Chocolate Milk For Workout Recovery

2011-06-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

Credit: Thomas Allison, Daily Texan

Researchers at the University of Texas recently concluded, chocolate milk offers the same recovery benefits as many commercial workout supplements.

From The Daily Texan

John Ivy, a UT professor who led two studies through the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, said participants first completed a rigorous three-hour workout. Some were given low-fat chocolate milk immediately after while others were given common carbohydrate sports drinks or a calorie-free beverage. The athletes consumed another dose of the beverages two hours later and then completed a cycling time trial to evaluate the effects of chocolate milk on their post-exercise recovery.

“Participants performed much better when they received chocolate milk versus receiving a carbohydrate supplement or if they didn’t receive any supplement at all,” Ivy said. “They were able to finish the time trial much faster.”

Ivy said the amount of chocolate milk each athlete needed to consume varied depending on their body weight, but the dosage amount was typically between eight and 14 ounces. He said while some people believe increasing protein intake alone optimizes recovery after a workout, combining proteins with carbohydrates is more effective.

“Chocolate milk has a great carbohydrate to protein ratio, and so we thought that would be a food we could use for recovery rather than having to use a lot of the supplements that have been developed for that purpose,” he said.

Ivy said other types of milk such as plain low-fat milk or soy milk are not as effective in achieving these benefits because they lack the carbohydrates found in chocolate milk. His book "Nutrient Timing" explores the impact that the timing of supplement intake has on athlete recovery. Ivy said athletes achieve the most benefits by consuming chocolate milk immediately following a workout and then again two hours later.

Engineering senior Christine King said she tries to replenish her body after her Texercise classes by eating food high in protein within an hour after working out.

“I haven’t tried using chocolate milk after a workout yet, but I’ve heard that it has all the nutrients and things that you need to refuel,” King said.

Robin Merket, a physician at University Health Services, said she has found consuming a combination of carbohydrates and protein after a workout promotes muscle healing and growth.

“After working out we also recommend that people hydrate themselves no matter what to replenish hydration that they lose through sweat,” Merket said. “Most people may not want to eat solid foods after vigorous exercise, but chocolate milk can provide a good replacement for receiving those vital nutrients after a workout.”

According to these results, we can all probably save some money on post-recovery supplements and opt for some delicious chocolate milk instead. Eight to 14 ounces is all it took to improve performance in the study. This is a great option for young athletes. I'd much rather see them using something safe like chocolate milk than all the unproven supplements out there.

Supplement Companies Look for Opportunity at NFL Combine

2011-02-28T12:17:00.000-08:00

I found this bit of behind the scenes info interesting from National Football Post at the 2011 NFL Combine:

Specialized trainers hired by agents will have hotel rooms set up for players to get stretched, have massages and/or pick up supplements. Several supplement and equipment companies will make their presence known as well.

Paea (Photo: Gazette Times)

No supplement companies were named in the article but I bet there are plenty of companies hoping to get their name out there like S.W.A.T.S did with Hue Jackson, Ray Lewis and Roy Williams promoting the Ultimate Spray. Supplement companies should be looking for an endorsement from Oregon State DT Stephen Paea who set a record for the bench press with 49 reps of 225 pounds (video of the beastly achievement @ NFL.com). Anyone know what supplement companies are trying to get there name out there at the combine?

ExtenZe Recalled: Counterfeits Contain Viagra and Cialis

2011-02-23T20:12:00.000-08:00

Male Sexual Enhancement Supplement Extenze

The FDA posted a press release revealing the recall of ExtenZe. It appears that a counterfeit product made it's way to store shelves. The counterfeit product was found to contain sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis), both prescription medications for erectile dysfunction. It was also found to contain sibutramine (Meridia) a stimulant prescription weight loss medication. From the FDA:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 22, 2011 -Biotab Nutraceuticals, Inc. (“Biotab”) is conducting a voluntary recall of two lots of EXTENZE nutritional supplement tablets. Some packages bearing lot numbers 0709241 and 0509075 are counterfeit products containing undeclared drug ingredients that can pose a serious risk to health.

Biotab learned about the problem after being notified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that two lots of counterfeit product purporting to be EXTENZE contain undeclared drug ingredients. More specifically, lot 0709241 contains tadalafil and sildenafil, and lot 0509075 contains tadalafil and sibutramine. The counterfeit products are sold at retail nationwide in the form of carded four-packs (lot 0709241) and in the form of a box of thirty tablets divided into two fifteen tablet blister packs (lot 0509075).

Tadalafil and sildenafil are drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). These drugs may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. ED is a common problem in men with these conditions, and consumers may seek Extenze to enhance sexual performance.

Sibutramine is a controlled substance that was withdrawn from the market in October 2010 for safety reasons. Sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke.

The counterfeit Extenze product is not manufactured, distributed or packaged by Biotab, but is falsely marked with the same lot numbers used by Biotab for its genuine product. Because it is very difficult to distinguish the counterfeit from the genuine product, Biotab decided to conduct this voluntary recall of the two affected lots. It is possible that there may be other counterfeit products on the market that have yet to be identified.

Consumers in possession of product from the lots in question only should return any unused product to its immediate supplier for a direct refund. Customers with questions can call (626) 775-6334 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for further instructions or information with respect to the return and refund process. Additionally, Biotab will refund the supplier for any genuine (non-counterfeit) product returned to it.

ExtenZe is the "natural" male sexual enhancement pill containing the prohormone DHEA, yohimbe extract, horny goat weed and a plethora of other herbal compounds plus a sprinkle folic acid and zinc, because, why not? It has celebrity endorsers such as two time superbowl champion head coach and NFL Fox analyst Jimmy Johnson. It's marketed all over the place. From the ExtenZe website:

ExtenZe is a strong, advanced formula designed to increase the size* of your penis and enhance sexual desire, pleasure and performance. It is one of the newest, most advanced medically designed formulas ever created for male sexual enhancement, it's simply the best and is all natural with no harmful side effects. Increase the size of your penis in just a few weeks by taking one ExtenZe tablet each day. ExtenZe works for men of any age.

Even if you've tried everything, even other pills, you owe it to yourself to try the one that really works…ExtenZe!

ExtenZe Supplement Facts (Photo: ExtenZe)

There's way too many ingredients in this stuff for me to believe it's safe or effective. If anyone gets their hands on the counterfeit stuff, I'm sure it'll work wonders because it actually contains prescripiton erectile dysfunction medicines Viagra and Cialis. DHEA, a prohormone and one of the main ingredients in ExtenZe is believed to be effective for male sexual enhancement. It doesn't get great reviews.

Cheryl Miller Manhandles Kid at 2011 NBA All-Star Game

2011-02-20T17:06:00.000-08:00

I was shocked to see Cheryl Miller grab the kid by the collar and yank him like that. I bet he instantly burst into tears after the camera cut away from him. See video of the incident below thanks to youtube user poplar45.

To set the stage, Serge Ibaka decided to hang a kid's teddy bear on the rim and yank it off with his teeth while dunking the basketball. After Ibaka successfully completed the dunk, the kid was excited to get his bear back and hugging it when Cheryl Miller had enough of the kid's excitement and decided to grab him by the collar and yank him back to security guards. You could hear her say, "Security, take him out of here!" as she grabs the child by the collar and forcefully yanks him back. It was a bizarre episode. I can't decide what was more bizarre, the cheesiness of Serge Ibaka's dunk, the kid's mohawk hair, Cheryl Miller's resemblance to predator, or the way she manhandled the kid. The poor kid was just excited to get his teddy bear back from Serge Ibaka's teeth after he tore it off the rim while throwing down his slam dunk.

I know this is a bit off-topic for this blog, but am I missing something here or was that totally inappropriate for her to manhandle that little kid like that?

Update: Better video below including Ibaka's dunk (idleedison)

Ergogenic Aids: Few Perform as Claimed

2011-02-17T20:40:00.000-08:00

A joint position statement from the American Dietetic Association (ADA), Dietitians of Canada (DC), and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) classifies ergogenic aids into four groups according to their safety and effectiveness:

1. Those that perform as claimed

creatine, caffeine, sport drinks, gels and bars, sodium bicarbonate and proteins and amino acids

2. Those that may perform as claimed but for which there is insufficient evidence of efficacy at this time

glutamine, β-hydroxymethylbutyrate, colostrum, and ribose

3. Those that do not perform as claimed

amino acids, bee pollen, branched chain amino acids, carnitine, chromium picolinate, cordyceps, coenzyme Q10, conjugated linoleic acid, cytochrome C, dihydroxyacetone, γ-oryzanol, ginseng, inosine, medium-chain triglycerides, pyruvate, oxygenated water, and vanadium.

4. Those that are dangerous, banned, or illegal and, therefore, should not be used.

androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, 19-norandrostenedione, 19-norandrostenediol, and other anabolic, androgenic steroids, Tribulus terrestris, ephedra, strychnine, and human growth hormone.

It's interesting to find proteins and amino acids in group 1 - those that perform as claimed, then again amino acids and branched chain amino acids in group 3 - those that do not perform as claimed. I guess it depends on what the claim is.

Although a major source of profit comes from products in categories 3 and 4, these products do not live up to their hype and are often dangerous, banned or illegal. If you wanna bulk up, stick with creatine, muscle milk, and plenty of water. It'd be nice to have a few USP verified options.

Muscle Milk, mmm. (Photo: Cytosport)

Olympic Athletes Using Fewer Dietary Supplements

2011-02-12T16:42:00.000-08:00

An interesting new study of Olympic athletes shows declining use of dietary supplements. Although decreasing, overall rates of dietary supplement were found to be extremely high among elite Finnish athletes. 81% of Finnish Olympic athletes reported dietary supplement use in 2002 versus 73% in 2009. The study found an average of 3.4 dietary supplements per athlete in 2002 versus an average of 2.6 dietary supplements per athlete in 2009. Investigators found endurance athletes and speed and power athletes were the most frequent vitamin, mineral and dietary supplement users. The most often used supplements were multivitamins, protein and vitamin C. Additionally, dietary supplement use was found to be significantly higher in older age groups. Investigators explained the decrease in dietary supplement use over the years was partly due to increased awareness concerning purity issues and contamination of dietary supplements. This blog and others seem to be getting the word out!

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2011, 8:1 :

The main finding in our study was the decreased supplementation among elite Finnish athletes. Significant decrease was observed in all supplement use (81% in 2002 and 73% in 2009) and vitamin use (67% in 2002 and 55% in 2009). The decrease in DS use may be partly explained with athlete´s increased awareness concerning purity issues and contamination of dietary supplements.

On a side note, orienteer and Finnish athlete of 2010 Minna Kauppi deserves a bit more international attention. Orienteering is not an olympic sport so her talents have gone under appreciated on an international scale. She has a website. Here are a few pics:


Finnish Athlete of 2010 Minna Kauppi (Photo: Lehtikuva)

Minna Kauppi (Photo: minnakauppi.com)

Dietary Supplement Manufacturer Irwin Naturals Settles $2.65M Lawsuit

2011-02-06T20:58:00.000-08:00

In a shining example that "natural" doesn't mean safe, dietary supplement manufacturer Irwin Naturals, Inc. has agreed to settle a $2.65 million dollar lawsuit in which prosecutors claim the company marketed products with 14x the allowable amount of lead and advertised Hoodia products containing no Hoodia. Story from businessweek:

Irwin Naturals Inc. has agreed to pay $2.65 million in what prosecutors say is the largest settlement by a dietary supplement manufacturer for unfair business practices in California.

The 10 district attorneys that sued the Los Angeles-based company over misleading advertising signed the settlement Tuesday.

Prosecutors accused the company of marketing products with more than the amount of lead allowed under a state measure requiring disclosure of any carcinogens, advertised Hoodia products that didn't contain the herb and failed to reimburse customers for returns.

The company sells its products in retail stores and through direct sales.

An investigative team found that their products didn't contain Hoodia and some contained 10 times the legal limit of lead.

The settlement doesn't require Irwin Naturals to acknowledge fault or liability.

This is yet another example of why I only recommend supplements that are USP verified or receive the Consumer Lab seal. It seems a number of products manufactured by this company had issues. More details of the settlement were available from the Orange County District Attorney's Office:

Irwin Naturals Hoodia product not named in lawsuit

The settlement, signed today Feb. 1, 2011, by the Honorable David McEachen and the 10 District Attorney Offices, requires that Irwin Naturals products marketed and sold in California be accurately labeled with a lead warning if the product exposes the consumer to over half a microgram lead intake per day. The order requires them to pay $1.95 million in civil penalties to provide support for future enforcement of California consumer protection laws, provide up to $100,000 in restitution to California consumers who did not receive previously requested refunds, and $600,000 in investigative costs.

Irwin Naturals is a Los Angeles-based dietary supplement distributor to over 50 countries, which markets and sells its products retail and through direct sales. In 2008, a California taskforce manned by the 10 District Attorney Offices, created to investigate dietary supplements claims, began an investigation into Irwin Naturals for false and misleading representation in their marketing and sales of certain products, including Dual Action Cleanse, Fast Action Hoodia Diet, and 10 Day Hoodia Diet. Testing of Hoodia products revealed that they did not contain any Hoodia gordonii, contrary to their labeling information.

A subsequent investigation revealed that Irwin Naturals was marketing and selling certain dietary supplements containing lead. California Law requires that all products containing more than half a microgram of lead be marked with warning labels. Laboratory testing revealed that certain Irwin Naturals products, Green Tea Fat Metabolizer and Green Tea Fat Burner, contained over half a microgram of lead. Samples of the company’s System Six and Green Tea Fat Meltdown dietary supplements tested up to 10 times over the legal limit of lead and Green Tea Fat Burner tested over 14 times over the legal limit of lead.

The settlement did not require the defendant to admit fault or liability. Irwin Naturals agreed to strict injunctive terms to prevent any future unfair or deceptive business practices. They stopped selling and/or reformulated all of the tested products since being alerted to the test results and will be required in the future to include warning information with all products containing specific levels of lead marketed to California residents. Irwin Naturals was ordered to pay restitution to consumers who filed documented complaints with Irwin Naturals, the Better Business Bureau, the California Attorney General or any of the prosecuting District Attorney Offices between July 1, 2006 and Jan. 18, 2011, who have not already received refunds.

I'm thankful prosecutors are taking these fraudulent companies to task. If consumers start catching on that many supplement manufacturers are doing this same thing and not getting caught, people will begin to realize the importance of USP verification of dietary supplements. Consumer demand for verification is the only thing that will drive these companies to have their products verified so you and I will truly know what we are putting into our bodies.

Anabolic Steroids Linked to Infertility in Young Men

2011-02-01T21:34:00.000-08:00

It has long been known that anabolic steroids can lead to infertility in males. With increasing use of anabolic steroids in recent years, doctors have noticed growing numbers of men becoming infertile. My favorite part of the article explains, "Acne, aggression and an unexplained, orangey skin tone akin to a tan are also associated with use of steroids."

A-Rod and his orangey skin. Deadspin

Let me explain the orangey skin tone. Steroid users also have a tanning problem and obsession with appearance. It's probably better they don't pass their narcissistic personality disorders on to the next generation.

Source: guardian.co.uk:

Growing numbers of men are becoming infertile because they take anabolic steroids in their quest for a muscular body, doctors have warned.

Urologists are seeing more and more men whose difficulty in becoming a father is linked to consumption of the muscle-boosting drugs.

Steve Payne, a consultant urologist at the Manchester Royal Infirmary and a council member of the British Association of Urological Surgeons, said: "Many fit young men who believe they are at the peak of physical perfection don't believe it could be their fault when their wives or girlfriends find it difficult to become pregnant.

"They are insulted when it is suggested that they undergo a sperm test, and horrified when the results of those tests show an absence of sperm in the sample."

Such men are then referred to a urologist, and undergo a blood test. If they have been using steroids, they often have what Payne calls deranged levels of sex hormones.

Men who regularly go to the gym should avoid taking steroids to bulk up, Payne added.

Acne, aggression and an unexplained, orangey skin tone akin to a tan are also associated with use of steroids.

Dr Allan Pacey, a senior lecturer in andrology at Sheffield University, warned: "It is a very real risk that men who take anabolic steroids will become infertile. It's almost certain that they [the steroids] will have an effect of some sort on their fertility and, in the worst-case scenario, that sperm production will stop altogether.

"These patients walk through the door looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his younger days. They are having fertility problems, and it suddenly becomes obvious where the problem may lie."

Some men who stop taking steroids never regain their reproductive capacity and for others it takes years for normal sperm production to resume, Pacey added.

Found the story at Taylorhooton.org

Dietary Supplements Recommended in New 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

2011-01-31T21:45:00.000-08:00

The USDA/HHS released new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 now that it's 2011. That's our speedy government at work. Anyway, among other recommendations, they included a few recommendations for dietary supplements in select populations:

Women capable of becoming pregnant

Consume 400 micrograms (mcg) per day of synthetic folic acid (from fortified foods and/or supplements) in addition to food forms of folate from a varied diet.

Women who are pregnant

Take an iron supplement as recommended by an obstetrician or other health care provider

Individuals age 50 or older

Consume foods fortified with vitamin B12, such as fortified cereals, or dietary supplements.

I recommend dietary supplements verified by USP or ConsumerLab like Nature Made.

O.J. Mayo Busted for DHEA: 5 Things You Should Know

2011-01-29T11:41:00.000-08:00

O.J. Mayo has been suspended 10 games by the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug program with a positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Mayo blames a supplement he didn't know contained the banned substance according to a report from ESPN.com:

Mayo said in a statement released by the team that he is extremely disappointed he will miss 10 games as the Grizzlies are making a push for the playoffs. He blamed an over-the-counter supplement that he didn't know was banned by the NBA for the positive test, but a team spokesman said Mayo declined to say which supplement he used.

"It was an honest mistake, but I take full responsibility for my actions," Mayo said in the statement released by the team. "I apologize to my fans, teammates and the Grizzlies organization for regrettably not doing the necessary research about what supplements I can put in my body."

5 Things You Should Know:

1. O.J. Mayo is about as sharp as a marble.

He's not the first athlete to test positive for a banned substance and blame a supplement, but come on. Why aren't these guys learning from others mistakes? If, in fact, he's telling us the truth and a supplement was to blame, why didn't he do just a bit of research and investigate what he was putting into his body? A quick google search will give you the list of NBA Anti-Drug Program Prohibited Substances. Perhaps the supplement didn't disclose it contained DHEA, but that's the gamble you take if you're taking non USP or consumerlab verified supplements.

Other unflattering recent news about O.J. Mayo:

O.J. Mayo scandal leads to heavy sanctions for USC basketball; team 'shocked and saddened'

Grizzlies’ Allen, Mayo fight on plane

2. If O.J. Mayo is telling the truth, expect a lawsuit.

According to the ESPN.com report Mayo will forfeit $405,109 of his salary. That's a big chunk of change. If the supplement didn't disclose that it contained DHEA, a lawsuit could be on the way.

3. Memphis will not make the playoffs.

The suspension comes at a very bad time for the Memphis Grizzlies, but let's be real, Memphis will not make the playoffs with or without O.J. Mayo. They are currently in 9th place in the Western Conference, 2 games behind the Portland Trailblazers. Mayo, once runner up for rookie of the year, has been relegated to coming off the bench this season as his production has declined. The guy can't seem to stay out of his own way. Memphis doesn't have a deep roster so expect them to fall further out of the playoff hunt.

4. DHEA is a precursor to testosterone and estrogen.

DHEA metabolism to Testosterone and Estradiol

DHEA is a hormone naturally made in the human body, and secreted by the adrenal gland. DHEA serves as precursor to male and female sex hormones (androgens and estrogens). DHEA levels in the body usually begin to decrease after age 30, and are reported to be low in some people with anorexia, end-stage kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, AIDS, adrenal insufficiency, and the critically ill.

5. DHEA is an effective treatment.

According to MedlinePlus DHEA is considered to be an effective treatment for schizophrenia, improving appearance of older peoples skin, erectile dysfunction, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and osteoporosis. DHEA's effect as a performance enhancing drug is less clear. Most evidence points to it being ineffective for increasing muscle mass or strength.

J Appl Physiol. 2003 Feb;94(2):651-9. Epub 2002 Oct 25

The purpose of this study was to quantify which dietary supplements augment lean mass and strength gains during resistance training. Peer-reviewed studies between the years 1967 and 2001 were included in the analysis if they met a predetermined set of experimental criteria, among which were at least 3-wk duration and resistance-training 2 or more times a week. Lean mass and strength were normalized for meta-analysis by conversion to percent change per week and by calculating the effect size for each variable. Of the 250 supplements examined, only 6 had more than 2 studies that met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Creatine and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) were found to significantly increase net lean mass gains of 0.36 and 0.28%/wk and strength gains of 1.09 and 1.40%/wk (P < 0.05), respectively. Chromium, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, and protein did not significantly affect lean gain or strength. In conclusion, two supplements, creatine and HMB, have data supporting their use to augment lean mass and strength gains with resistance training.

ConsumerLab has done a review of DHEA supplements (subscription required). The following is a list of the brands tested:

AST Sport Science, Doctor's Trust, Natrol, Nature's Bounty, Only Natural, PHD (Wellness International), Physiologics, Puritan's Pride, Smart Basics (Vitacost.com), Solaray (Nutraceutical Corp.), Trimedica, Vitamin World.

One of the products failed the test; one product contained 215% more than the expected amount of DHEA (Posted: 2006).

The following DHEA products were approved: Nature's Bounty® DHEA 25mg (25mg of DHEA per tablet), Puritan's Pride® DHEA 50mg Dehydroepiandrosterone (50mg of DHEA per tablet) (Posted: 2006). If you're looking for a DHEA supplement for one reason or another, I'd go with Nature's Bounty or Puritan's Pride.

There you have it. 5 things you should know about DHEA and O.J. Mayo.

UPDATE:

Mayo says "energy drink" led to positive test. Ok, O.J. time to lawyer up and go after those energy drink manufacturers, right? Something tells me he won't. He's gonna have a tough time proving this one. At least his excuse is original. Sharp as a marble.

hCG diet, supplements called "Economic Fraud" by FDA

2011-01-24T21:25:00.000-08:00

The FDA has slung the first arrow in the fight against the newest weight loss fad, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) supplements and the hCG diet. According to USA Today, the FDA's leader of the internet and health fraud team, Elizabeth Miller, says hCG weight-loss products are fraudulent and illegal.

From the USA Today article:

A popular type of weight-loss products, heavily promoted on the Internet, is fraudulent and illegal, Food and Drug Administration officials say.

HCG weight-loss products that promise dramatic results and claim to be homeopathic are sold as drops, pellets and sprays on the Web, in drugstores and at General Nutrition Centers (GNC). They are supposed to be used in combination with a very low-calorie diet of 500 calories a day.

Many of the labels indicate the products contain HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone made by the placenta during pregnancy. The hormone itself is approved as a prescription treatment for infertility and other conditions.

There is no evidence the oral over-the-counter products are effective for weight loss, says Elizabeth Miller, FDA's leader for the Internet and health fraud team. While they may not be dangerous, they're at least "economic fraud," she says.

I like the term she uses, "economic fraud." Unfortunately it could be applied to so many dietary supplements marketed today. Can you believe there is actually an internet and health fraud team in the FDA? News to me. Sign me up, I'd be glad to take part. Of course, they are woefully underfunded and have a long list of issues to tackle so the illegal and fraudelent hCG products are a low priority. The article goes on:

Because the products do not seem to be "a serious direct health hazard or a serious indirect health hazard," they have been a lower priority for FDA action than other products. Still, Miller says, "they could be subject to enforcement at any time."

One of the issues is the homeopathic label. Homeopathy is an alternative medicine practice of using very small or diluted preparations of medicines or remedies to treat a condition. Miller says, "We are aware of HCG products that claim to be homeopathic, but it is not recognized in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia." Therefore, these products "are not recognized by the FDA as homeopathic drugs, so they are unapproved drugs and are illegal," she says.

Miller says HCG began being used for weight loss in the 1950s when a British physician had a theory that it could help people on a near-starvation diet not feel hungry. "Since then, a lot of research and clinical trials debunked that theory."

Samuel Klein of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis agrees: "Data from most randomized controlled trials show that HCG is no better than placebo in achieving weight loss or reducing hunger."

Stephen Barrett, a retired psychiatrist who operates quackwatch.org, says, "The bottom line is there is no reason to think the product works."

Even experts in the supplement industry say the products aren't legal and don't work. Andrew Shao of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, an industry group, says HCG is "not considered a legal dietary ingredient and therefore cannot be sold as a dietary supplement. I am not aware of any scientific evidence that supports its use when taken orally."

Because HCG is a peptide hormone, it would be broken down by the stomach and rendered ineffective, he says. He says the products are mostly sold over the Internet, so it's difficult to track sales.

Pregnyl, injectable HCG for infertility

Injectable hCG, a prescription drug, does have legitimate medical uses related to the reproductive system. Infertility, hypogonadism, cryptorchidism and oligospermia are a few of the indications for injectable hCG which is given intramuscularly or subcutaneously. However weight-loss clinics have been promoting injectable hCG and using it off label leading to a nationwide drug shortage due to increased demand. How would you like to be unable to get your legitimate infertility treatment because some scammers have ordered all the hCG available to inject into the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" for weight loss? The shortage, which began back in 2008, is the real reason for the development and popularity of the homeopathic doses of hCG being promoted in dietary supplements today. All you have to do is get a drop of hCG, dilute the heck out of it, and you've got yourself "homeopathic hCG." Very clever.

In addition to hCG's legitimate uses and fraudulent use for weight loss, steroid users often use hCG during and after steroid cycles to maintain and restore testicular size as well as normal testosterone production. Notable professional athletes who have been caught using hCG have been temporarily banned from their sport, including a 50-game ban from MLB for Manny Ramirez in 2009 and a 4-game ban from the NFL for Brian Cushing for a positive urine test for hCG in 2010.

It's up to the consumer to look past the hype and realize there is no magic fix, pill, potion, or diet. Good health and weight loss are a result of a healthy lifestyle not fad diets or snake oil. hCG for weight-loss is not the answer and as the FDA leader said, amounts to nothing more than "economic fraud."

NFL Players/Coach Caught with a Mouthful of Deer Antler Velvet Extract

2011-01-23T14:39:00.000-08:00

ThePostGame.com broke the story of the Oakland Raiders new head coach Hue Jackson being ordered by the NFL to cut ties with the supplement company, Sports With Alternatives To Steroids (S.W.A.T.S). The company markets a product called "The Ultimate Spray," which it sells for $68 per bottle. The company reports The Ultimate Spray contains insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which is banned by the NFL.

From ThePostGame.com

Jackson, who was promoted from offensive coordinator by the Raiders on Tuesday, began endorsing a company called Sports With Alternatives To Steroids (S.W.A.T.S.) while he was an assistant with the Baltimore Ravens from 2008 to 2009. Jackson ended his association with the company this month.

One of the S.W.A.T.S. products, “The Ultimate Spray,” is labeled as containing deer antler velvet extract. On the company website, swatsteam.com, the spray is said to contain “very delicate and unique nutritional properties … such as IGF-1 and other growth factors.” IGF-1 is banned by the NFL.

S.W.A.T.S. owner Mitch Ross told ThePostGame.com he met Jackson at the NFL Combine in 2008 and forged a relationship. Ross said he supplied Jackson with free products, which he said were then distributed to players – including Ravens All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis. Ross also said he gave the spray to Cincinnati Bengals safety Roy Williams and two assistant NFL coaches, Anthony Lynn of the New York Jets and Jay Hayes of the Bengals.

“In April of '08 I gave various alternatives to steroids, including spray, to Hue Jackson at the Ravens’ training camp,” Ross said. “I also gave the spray to Jay Hayes of the Bengals and Anthony Lynn of the Jets. I want to prove that my protocol reverses the aging process on aging athletes and promotes the healing of injuries in a legal manner.”

Reached by phone Wednesday, Jackson told ThePostGame.com, “I’m no longer affiliated with this company. I don’t even know about a banned substance.”


"The Ultimate Spray" S.W.A.T.S

As mentioned above, some notable NFL players have been using "The Ultimate Spray," including Ray Lewis and Roy Williams. Neither have tested positive for a banned substance.

While the hype is at an all time high for deer antler velvet extract, it's nothing new, and has yet to be proven as an effective performance enhancing drug.

There is very weak evidence to support use of deer antler velvet powder, but not the extract when compared to placebo.

Via Pubmed:

To determine the effects of deer antler velvet on maximal aerobic performance and the trainability of muscular strength and endurance, 38 active males were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to either deer antler velvet extract (n = 12), powder (n = 13), or placebo groups (n = 13). Subjects were tested prior to beginning supplementation and a 10-week strength program, and immediately post-training. All subjects were measured for circulating levels of testosterone, insulin-like growth factor, erythropoietin, red cell mass, plasma volume, and total blood volume. Additionally, muscular strength, endurance, and VO2max were determined. All groups improved 6 RM strength equivalently (41 +/- 26%, p < .001), but there was a greater increase in isokinetic knee extensor strength (30 +/- 21% vs. 13 +/- 15%, p = .04) and endurance (21 +/- 19% vs. 7 +/- 12%, p = .02) in the powder compared to placebo group. There were no endocrine, red cell mass or VO2max changes in any group. These findings do not support an erythropoetic or aerobic ergogenic effect of deer antler velvet. Further, the inconsistent findings regarding the effects of deer antler velvet powder supplementation on the development of strength suggests that further work is required to test the robustness of the observation that this supplement enhances the strength training response and to ensure this observation is not a type I error.

Not very convincing evidence in a small study of 38 subjects. Deer antler velvet has also been studied for it's effects on sexual function in men, where it was also shown to be ineffective.

Via Pubmed:

The use of alternative medicines and herbal remedies is an increasing trend in Western societies. For years, people have taken products made of deer velvet for their alleged beneficial effects on sexual function. There has been no scientific investigation of the effects of deer velvet powder on the sexual functioning of human males. This study investigated sexual function in men during a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of deer velvet. Thirty-two volunteer male participants, aged 45-65 years, and their partners, were randomly assigned to either the deer velvet or placebo study group. The males took capsules containing ground deer velvet or placebo everyday for 12 weeks. Two sexual function questionnaires (the International Index of Erectile Function and the Brief Index of Sexual Function for Women) used at pre- and posttreatment assessed changes in sexual functioning in males and their partners. Blood tests at baseline, and end of study, determined levels of sex-related hormones in male participants. There were no significant differences in the sexual behavior of the men taking deer velvet compared with the men taking placebo capsules. There were no significant hormone changes from baseline to the end of the study in either group of men. We conclude that in normal males there was no advantage in taking deer velvet to enhance sexual function. All alternative health products or nutritional supplements should be subjected to randomized placebo-controlled trials to determine efficacy.

The publicity as a result of the NFL ordering Jackson to cut ties with S.W.A.T.S does nothing but feed the hype machine and help S.W.A.T.S sales of the The Ultimate Spray. Their website currenlty states: "Due to such a high demand because of recent news coverage, the delivery of The Ultimate Spray will take at least 15 days for delivery. Thank you for your patience." More power to them. They aren't doing anything illegal and appear to be trying to provide alternatives to athletes seeking alternatives to steroids. It's unlikely the deer antler velvet will have any greater effect than placebo, however the placebo effect is real!

Himalayan Viagra: cordyceps sinensis - Is it Sexual Gold?

2011-01-19T22:35:00.000-08:00

Sprinkle these over my corn flakes? No thanks.

There has been a lot of buzz recently surrounding the "herbal supplement", "wonder drug" that is nearly the price of gold. Reportedly selling for $800 per ounce per a recent article in the New York Post, cordyceps sinensis is also known as "yarsagumba" or "dong chong xia cao." The insect-fungus combination reportedly increases libido and has been used as a performance enhancing drug. So is is the supplement dubbed as "Himalayan Viagra" truly sexual gold?

I think not. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Let's take a closer look at this insect-fungus hybrid from the mountains of Nepal.

The fungus became popular in 1993 when three female Chinese athletes, Wang Junxia, Qu Yunxia, and Zhang Linli, admitted using cordyceps supplements, and beat the world records in the track and field competition for the 1,500-, 3,000-, and 10,000-meter runs. The women were drug tested for banned substances such as steroids and were negative. Their coach attributed the performance to the cordyceps supplementation.

Cordyceps has also been promoted to be therapeutic for asthma, bronchitis, chemoprotection, hepatitis B, hepatic cirrhosis, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), as an immunosuppressive agent, and in chronic renal failure.

Evidence to support it's use for sexual dysfunction is dubious at best. It's certainly nothing more than hype that's garnering the $800 per ounce price tag in NYC. There are two low quality studies from the mid-90's where cordyceps was found to improve subjective measures of sexual performance in greater than 50% of subjects compared to placebo. Higher-quality, more objective studies are needed before the effect of cordyceps on sexual dysfunction can be defined, let alone call for the prices it's currently selling for. Viagra is effective for far greater than 50% of subjects and can be had for much less than "Himalayan Viagra."

Not to mention, there are other cordyceps products not branded as "Himalayan Viagra" available for much less. I don't recommend any of it, but I'd certainly give the Vitamin Shoppe a try before ingesting those worm-fungus creatures sprinkled over my cereal as the New York Post article mentions.

Along with the sex and money already discussed, violence can't be far away. In June 2009, a mob of 65 villagers from the Menang clan in Nar bludgeoned seven poachers from a neighboring Gorkha tribe. The Nar men slew two rivals with primitive tools and tossed their bodies into a crevasse. Another five intruders were reportedyl "ripped to pieces" and cold-heartedly discarded. Next month a verdict is expected to come down for 35 men charged in the crime.

I think a Robin Williams quote sums up the "Himalayan Viagra" saga best, "God gave men both a penis and a brain, but unfortunately not enough blood supply to run both at the same time."

Echinacea: Still a beautiful flower but not effective for treating common colds

2010-12-23T00:20:00.000-08:00

The latest issue of Annals of Internal Medicine published a study of echinacea for treatment of the common cold. The study found the beautiful flower was no better than placebo for treating a cold. Regardless of these results, many will still swear by this "natural" remedy for colds. This was a well designed study funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Unfortunately, the results weren't very positive for those who believe in echinacea's ability to stimulate the immune system and ward off the common cold.

Study details (from pharmacist.com):

In the study, patients were randomized to receive either no treatment, placebo (blinded), echinacea (blinded), or open-label echinacea. Echinacea was administered as two tablets (each containing Echinacea purpurea root 675 mg and Echinacea angustifolia root 600 mg, manufactured by MediHerb) at enrollment, two-tablet doses three more times within 24 hours of enrollment, then one tablet four times daily for the next 4 days for a total of 10.2 g of dried root during the first 24 hours and 5.1 g daily for the following 4 days. Illness severity was assessed twice daily using the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey, short version (WURSS-21). 713 patients aged 12 to 80 years completed the trial; 341 patients received echinacea tablets (blinded and open-label), and 332 patients received no treatment or placebo.

There was a trend toward decreased severity of illness, as demonstrated by a decrease in the WURSS-21 score, with echinacea use; however, the difference was not statistically significant. The mean illness duration was 6.34 and 6.76 days for the blinded and unblinded echinacea groups, respectively, compared with 6.87 days for the placebo group. There was a half-day reduction in the duration of symptoms in the blinded echinacea group compared with placebo; however, the difference in symptoms duration was not statistically significant.

Summary:

Echinacea is not likely to help you if you have a cold. It's not likely to hurt you either, but it smells bad, tastes awful, and might give you a stomach ache. It's kind of insulting to take a smelly, awful tasting substance that makes your belly hurt and doesn't provide a benefit. I'm not recommending echinacea and the evidence doesn't support it either.

FDA Mans up Again: Warns Against Tainted Supplements - Sexual Enhancers, Bodybuilding, Weight Loss

2010-12-16T20:55:00.000-08:00

The FDA is ramping up it's efforts to combat tainted dietary supplements. A new warning to consumers has been issued:

On Dec. 15, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took new steps aimed at keeping consumers safe from harmful products that are marketed as dietary supplements and that contain undeclared or deceptively labeled ingredients.

FDA has found that these products are often promoted for weight loss, sexual enhancement, and bodybuilding.

The new steps FDA has taken include:

A letter from Commissioner of Food and Drugs Margaret A. Hamburg to the dietary supplement industry emphasizing its legal obligation and responsibilities to prevent tainted products from reaching the U.S. market.
A new rapid public notification system⁶ (RSS Feed) on its website to more quickly warn consumers about these products.
A mechanism for industry to alert FDA about potentially tainted products and about the firms that make them.

A History of Action

Among the substances found in products that are marketed as dietary supplements and that contain hidden or deceptively labeled ingredients are

the active ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or their analogs (closely-related drugs).
other compounds, such as novel synthetic steroids, that do not qualify as dietary ingredients.

Where FDA investigations have discovered tainted products marketed as dietary supplements, the agency has issued warning letters and conducted seizures and criminal prosecutions.

FDA has also alerted consumers to hundreds of products with these often deceptively labeled and harmful ingredients, including more than 80 products marketed for sexual enhancement, more than 70 products marketed for weight loss, and more than 80 products marketed for bodybuilding.

Advice for Consumers

Michael Levy, director of FDA's Division of New Drugs and Labeling Compliance, says labeling of these tainted products may claim that they are "alternatives" to FDA-approved drugs, or "legal" alternatives to anabolic steroids.

“Consumers should avoid products marketed as supplements that claim to have effects similar to prescription drugs," Levy says. "Consumers should also be wary of products with labeling only in a foreign language or that are marketed through mass e-mails.”

In all, consumers should heed these potential warning signs of tainted products marketed as dietary supplements.

Products claiming to be alternatives to FDA-approved drugs or to have effects similar to prescription drugs.
Products claiming to be a legal alternative to anabolic steroids.
Products that are marketed primarily in a foreign language or those that are marketed through mass e-mails.
Sexual enhancement products promising rapid effects such as working in minutes to hours, or long-lasting effects such as 24 hours to 72 hours.
Products that provide warnings about testing positive in performance enhancement drug tests.

Generally, if you are using or considering using any product marketed as a dietary supplement, FDA suggests that you

check with your health care professional or a registered dietician on any nutrients you may need in addition to your regular diet
ask yourself: Does it sound too good to be true?
- Be cautious if the claims for the product seem exaggerated or unrealistic
- Watch out for extreme claims—for example, "quick and effective," "cure-all;" "can treat or cure diseases; or "totally safe"
- Be skeptical about anecdotal information from personal “testimonials” about incredible benefits or results obtained from using a product
ask your health care professional for help distinguishing between reliable and questionable information

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

If it sounds too good to be true, it is. The FDA offers some good practical advice to avoid these products.

FDA Mans Up Against Sexual Ennhancers: Warns Against Man up Now Supplement

2010-12-13T20:34:00.000-08:00

Man up Now? Insult me Now!

Any man willing to swallow his pride and buy a product named "Man up Now," probably deserves what's coming to him, but now the FDA is warning the dietary supplement marketed for sexual enhancement contains a potentially dangerous ingredient. The FDA analyzed Man Up Now and determined that it contains sulfoaildenafil, a chemical similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra and the same ingredient found in the "natural" supplement Vigor-25. The FDA warned against use of Vigor-25 recently, citing the reported death of a 26-year old man, possibly associated with the use of Vigor-25. Like sildenafil, sulfoaildenafil may interact with prescription drugs such as nitrates, including nitroglycerin, and cause dangerously low blood pressure.

Man Up Now, distributed by Synergy Distribution LLC, is sold on internet sites in single, double, and triple blister packs, and in six-, 12-, and 30-count capsule bottles. Amazon.com has already removed the product from their website but it remains for sale at sites like vitacost and supplementwarehouse for the time being.

View the FDA warning here.

This is just another dietary supplement marketed as natural and herbal that actually contains a synthetic pharmaceutical ingredient. The FDA has found many products marketed as dietary supplements for sexual enhancement during the past several years that can be harmful because they contain active ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or variations of these ingredients. Sexual enhancement products promising rapid effects such as working in minutes to hours, or long-lasting effects such as 24 hours to 72 hours, are likely to contain ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or variations of those ingredients.

FDA Link

Online Products to Avoid

Since 2004, FDA has identified several products sold online as so-called "dietary supplements" for treating erectile dysfunction and enhancing sexual performance. These products have contained potentially harmful, undeclared ingredients. Included among them are

Actra-Rx
Actra-Sx
Libidus
Nasutra
Neophase
Vigor-25
Yilishen
Zimaxx
4EVERON
Liviro3
Lycium Barbarum L.
Adam Free
Rhino V Max
V.Max
True Man
Energy Max
HS Joy of Love
NaturalUp
Blue Steel
Erextra
Super Shangai
Strong Testis
Shangai Ultra
Shangai Ultra X
Lady Shangai
Shangai Regular, also marketed as Shangai Chaojimengnan
Hero
Naturalë Super Plus
Xiadafil VIP tablets (Lots 6K029 and 6K209-SEI only

Avoid "natural" or "herbal" supplements for sexual enhancement.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Viagra in Vigor-25: FDA Warns Consumers

2010-12-11T21:26:00.000-08:00

Nice fake seal. "Natural" it says. Ha.

Yet another dietary supplement marketed as "natural" has been found to contain synthetic pharmaceutical. In this case, the FDA has warned that the male enhancement supplement Vigor-25 contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. The FDA has warned consumers against the use of this supplement, which will surely boost sales for the online vendors still offering it up for sale. Sites like amazon.com are no longer selling Vigor-25, following the FDA warning. Consumers should avoid this product as risks such as low blood pressure exist with use of sildenafil, which is available legally by prescription only. The FDA is investigating the death of a 26 year old possibly associated with use of Vigor-25.

From the FDA website:

FDA warns consumers not to use Vigor-25

Marketed as a ’male sexual stimulant,’ product contains hidden drug ingredient

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Vigor-25, a product marketed as a natural dietary supplement to enhance male sexual performance, should not be purchased or used because it contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in the prescription drug Viagra.

Sildenafil may interact with prescription drugs known as nitrates, including nitroglycerin, and can dangerously lower blood pressure. The FDA is investigating the reported death of a 26-year old man, possibly associated with the use of Vigor-25.

Vigor-25, distributed by Piston Corp., is sold on Internet sites and possibly in some retail outlets.

“This product is dangerous to consumers because it claims to contain only natural ingredients when it actually contains a prescription drug ingredient,” said Deborah M. Autor, director of the Office of Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Tainted products place consumers at risk of injury and death, especially those consumers with underlying health conditions.”

The FDA has found many products marketed as dietary supplements for sexual enhancement during the past several years that can be harmful because they contain active ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or variations of these ingredients. Sexual enhancement products promising rapid effects (e.g., claim to work in minutes to hours) or long-lasting effects (e.g., claim to last 24-72 hours) are likely to contain a contaminant.

The FDA advises consumers who have experienced any negative side effects from sexual enhancement products to stop using such products and consult a health care professional and to safely discard the product. The FDA urges health care professionals and consumers to report adverse events or side effects from use of Vigor-25 to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax:

Complete and submit the report online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm

Download form or call 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form or submit by fax to 800-FDA-0178

Consumers also are urged to report suspected criminal activity regarding sexual enhancement products, including Vigor-25, to the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) by calling 800-551-3989 or by reporting it on the OCI website at www.fda.gov/OCI.

It might be tempting to try this product since you know it contains an effective ingredient, sildenafil, for erectile dysfunction, rather than the collection of junk the Vigor-25 label claims to contain (see below), but don't! Sildenafil may not be safe for you to use, especially if you take prescription nitrate medications. The combination can cause dangerously low blood pressure.

Some of the other rare, but serious side effects of sildenafil include, but are not limited to:

heart attack
stroke
sudden death
hemmorhage
vision loss
hearing loss
priapism

More common but less serious reactions to sildenafil include:

abnormal vision
photosensitivity
headache
diarrhea

Talk to your doctor and get a prescription if you have ED. They'll probably be able to give you a coupon for a few free tablets anyway.

Vigor-25 label. What? Sildenafil is not listed here. Uh oh!

Viagra (sildenafil citrate). The real stuff requires a prescription.

USP Verified Dietary Supplements

2010-11-25T23:39:00.000-08:00

I've mentioned before, I recommend using USP Verified dietary supplements to ensure your supplement is what it says it is.

You'll find a comprehensive list of USP Verified supplements here thanks to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.

The following manufacturers provide USP Verified dietary supplements:

Berkley & Jensen		Equaline
Kirkland Signature		Nature Made
Nutri Plus		Sunmark
Safeway		Your Life
Tru Nature

Kudos to these manufacturers for bringing in USP to certify their product:

Contains the ingredients listed on the label, in the declared potency and amounts
Does not contain harmful levels of contaminants like mercury or lead
Will break down and release into the body within a specified amount of time
Has been made according to FDA current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) using sanitary and well-controlled procedures

Steroids in supplements: FDA issues Public Health Advisory

2009-07-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

Today, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory warning against use of bodybuilding supplements marketed as containing steroids or claiming to contain steroid-like substances. This comes after the recent bust of American Cellular Labs CEO Maurice Sandoval and Max Muscle supplement store led by federal agent Jeff Novitzky. Highlights from the FDA.

The FDA has sent a Warning Letter to a manufacturer of body building supplements that claim to contain steroid-like ingredients, but in fact contain synthetic steroids. The products named in the Warning Letter are marketed by American Cellular Laboratories, Inc., and include “TREN-Xtreme,” “MASS Xtreme,” “ESTRO Xtreme,” “AH-89-Xtreme,” “HMG Xtreme,” “MMA-3 Xtreme,” “VNS-9 Xtreme,” and “TT-40-Xtreme.”

Side effects are the reason the FDA has finally taken action on this issue. The side effects aren't small like headache and nausea, this is serious stuff:

Adverse event reports received by the FDA for body building products that are labeled to contain steroids or steroid alternatives involve men (ages 22-55) and include cases of serious liver injury, stroke, kidney failure and pulmonary embolism (blockage of an artery in the lung).

Consumers should consult their health care professional if they are experiencing symptoms possibly associated with these products, particularly nausea, weakness or fatigue, fever, abdominal pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) or brown/discolored urine. The FDA also recommends that consumers talk with their health care professional about any body building supplements they are taking or planning to take, particularly if they are uncertain about a product’s ingredients.

More information can be found in this FDA issued consumer update.

These products are currently marketed as dietary supplements, however, the FDA emphatically states:

These products are NOT dietary supplements because they contain synthetic steroid or steroid-like active ingredients. These products are unapproved new drugs because they are not generally recognized as safe and effective. In fact, they are potentially harmful. In addition, the products are misbranded because the labeling is misleading and does not provide adequate directions for use.

This is just another of many cases where dietary supplements can be dangerous and the FDA is doing it's part. The scary thing is that these products are quite popular among young males, even high school athletes. Expect to see more of these supplement manufacturers targeted. This is not an isolated issue with American Cellular Labs, they just happen to be the target this time and the FDA has brought out their big guns with agent Novitzky.

Product names and ingredients included in the warning:

TREN-Xtreme: 19-Norandrosta-4,9-diene-3,17 dione, marketed as “similar to Trenbolone”
MASS Xtreme: 17α-methyl-etioallocholan-2-ene-17b-ol, marketed as “similar to Methyl Testosterone”
ESTRO Xtreme: 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (4-OHA)
AH-89-Xtreme: 5α-androstano[3,2-c]pyrazole-3-one-17β-ol-THP-ether, marketed as “similar to Stanozolol”
HMG Xtreme: 2α,3α-epithio-17α-methyl-17β-hydroxy-5α-etioallocholane
MMA-3 Xtreme: Androsta-1,4-dien-3,17-dione, marketed as “similar to Boldenone (Equipoise)”
VNS-9 Xtreme: 17α-methyl-4-chloro-androsta-1,4-diene-3β,17β-diol, marketed as “similar to Turinabol”
TT-40-Xtreme: 1-androsterone, marketed as “very similar to 1-Testosterone” and “converts to 1-Testosterone”

BALCO agent Novitzky searches for steroids in supplements

2009-07-23T23:05:00.000-07:00

Jeff Novitzky, the federal agent who became famous after his takedown of BALCO labs and Victor Conte is now on a crusade against steroids in supplements. It's about time this issue gets some serious attention and publicity. To the AP via Philstar.com

The investigator who led the BALCO probe has taken aim at a San Francisco-area supplement manufacturer, claiming the products they sell are laced with designer steroids.

Authorities filed a search warrant under seal Tuesday in federal court to raid the home of American Cellular Labs CEO Maurice Sandoval and a Max Muscle supplement store he's associated with for evidence the company sells steroids under the guise of a supplement.

The court documents were made available to the public Thursday.

In an affidavit, Jeff Novitzky, special agent for the Food and Drug Administration, said the company's products Tren Xtreme and Mass Extreme contained designer steroids "Tren" and "Madol," which were identified during the investigation into the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative.

Novitzky led the way on BALCO, the focal point of a scandal involving performance-enhancing drugs that included top-level athletes, including Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery and Barry Bonds.

Novitzky used some of the same techniques he employed in BALCO to gather evidence supporting the search warrant in this case, including digging through the trash outside Sandoval's house in Pacifica, California.

Travis Tygart, the CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, said the raid was welcome news about a multibillion-dollar industry that is not as stringently regulated as the drug industry.

"It ought to give clean athletes renewed hope that the 'A Team' that was on BALCO is still out there, protecting their rights by continuing to do their best to shut down places that are putting designer steroids out," Tygart said.

Data seized by investigators could include lists of purchasers of the company's products. Although major sports and Olympic sports test for Madol and Tren, the drugs are not widely tested for in high schools, many of which have started testing programs in recent years.

Novitzky wrote in the affidavit about his conversation with a salesman at a San Francisco Max Muscle store, who said he would not sell the products to high school kids because there were too many side effects.

Novitzky did not identify himself to the salesman, who told him about a proposed rule to label the products anabolic steroids and said the products would not be around for long because of increased investigations by the FDA into the supplement industry.

The FDA regulates the industry, though some studies show steroids make their way into a number of supplements.

Steve Mister, president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition that represents the supplement industry, conceded in an interview last month that the industry was not spotless.

"There are some small manufacturers who don't always abide by rules and regulations that are in place," he said. "But there's an awful lot of regulation in this industry and to say there isn't, that's false."

Council spokeswoman Judy Blatman said she couldn't comment on a legal matter.

"But if a company is putting steroids in a product, it's an adulterated product, an unapproved drug, but it's not a dietary supplement," she said. -- AP

ESPN is also covering.

This is a much bigger issue than what's been uncovered so far. Expect to keep hearing about the supplement industry getting cleaned up. It's good to have agent Novitzky on the case.

Josh Barnett tests positive for steroids: supplements soon to be blamed

2009-07-23T21:22:00.000-07:00

After testing positive for a banned substance and denied his license to fight in the upcoming Affliction "Trilogy" superfight against Fedor Emelianenko, Josh Barnett said, "I am embarrassed." Supplements will soon be blamed for Barnett's positive test as has become en vogue in sports these days. The sad thing is, supplements probably are to blame. Sherdog.com reports:

Bounced from perhaps the most important fight of his career by a failed California State Athletic Commission drug test, former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett faced the music. The CSAC this week denied the 31-year-old a license for his scheduled bout against Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction “Trilogy” on Aug. 1 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The positive test for a banned performance enhancer left the show without its main event and left many to question’s Barnett’s place in the sport. He issued a statement on his MySpace page on Thursday. “My representatives and I are working to gather as much info as possible and handle this situation as best as we can,” Barnett said. “I am embarrassed and want nothing more than to resolve this issue and receive a license from the state of California, as I have done many times already and for other states, as well. I am very thankful for all the great family, friends and fans that still support me.” Barnett’s test was positive for 2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3a-ol-17-one, according to the CSAC, which learned of the results Tuesday and informed promoters Affliction Entertainment and M-1 Global that the heavyweight’s showdown with Emelianenko would not be approved. The CSAC said Barnett’s test was “observed in the presence of a CSAC representative and the sample was sent to the World Anti-doping Agency test facility” at UCLA. “When applying for my license, the CSAC asked for me to submit a urine sample for testing prior to granting my license, as they do with everyone, I believe,” Barnett said. “It was not a random test. I had no reason to believe there would be any issues and went in to submit my sample at the earliest possible opportunity on June 25. I never once thought there would be a problem.” Barnett was suspended for six months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in 2002 due to a post-fight urinalysis that revealed the presence of three anabolic agents (Boldenone metabolite, Fluoxymesterone metabolite and Nandrolone metabolite) in his body when he defeated Randy Couture to win the title. Barnett denied using the anabolic steroids and challenged the NSAC’s testing protocol.

Barnett has talked about how dirty supplements can be in the past in a 2007 interview (two-thirds of the way into the linked interview). He describes being in a supplement shop and finding a product "containing 80% Equipoise." Equipoise is the brand name for boldenone undecylenate, a veterinary steroid known to have strong anabolic and moderately androgenic properties. Equipoise, as the name would suggest, is commonly used in horses and one of three steroids Barnett tested positive for in 2002 following his UFC heavyweight title defeat of Randy Couture.

The supplement Barnett tested positive for this time is the metabolite 2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3a-ol-17-one, which is contained in the anabolic steroid drostanolone, also known as Masteron. The steroid is a favorite among bodybuilders and is normally used by athletes attempting to maintain strength while cutting weight. It's a strange choice for a fighter competing in the heavyweight division, but perhaps he figured shedding a few pounds would give him an edge over the best heavyweight in the business Fedor.

Masteron

I wouldn't be surprised if he was using steroids with his history of positive tests, but I also wouldn't be surprised if supplements are to blame. The thing I can't put together is how a supplement could lead to a positive test for an injectable steroid rather than an oral one? More information to come soon.

Jarmon Update: Drafted by Redskins in NFL Supplemental Draft

2009-07-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

More on the previously reported case of an NCAA football player at the University of Kentucky who tested positive for a yet to be revealed banned substance and blamed a dietary supplement he bought at GNC for the positive test. The name of the dietary supplement is also yet to be revealed, but apparently it is known within some NCAA and NFL circles. Jeremy Jarmon was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the NFL's Supplemental Draft. To scout.com

Jarmon's story:

On why he was suspended by the NCAA:

“I went out and purchased a dietary supplement over the counter in Lexington with the hopes of losing some weight. I had just come off the season, I had some tendonitis in my shoulder after the season and the doctor had diagnosed me with a mild case of tendonitis in my left shoulder. It pretty much made me inactive so I wasn’t to lift weights, I wasn’t to run and condition. I was out of football for about 6-8 weeks. That was from the time period of the bowl game – the date was around January 12th when we returned to school – and around January 19 to about mid-March that I was inactive. During that time period, I did not want gain any unwanted weight in the time period which I was inactive so I began to watch my weight and watch what I was eating and began to take an over-the-counter dietary supplement. About four days before the NCAA came in with a random drug test I went to our head trainer Jim Madaleno and I asked him what was going to happen here over the next few days and he said I was going to get a cortisone shot in my shoulder so at that time I asked, ‘I’m taking supplements – taking some fish pills. Do I need to get off of anything so it doesn’t interfere with the cortisone shot?” His response to me was, ‘Whatever you’re taking get off of it for now, let’s get this cortisone shot so you can get going for spring ball.’ About four days after that conversation the NCAA came in and announced that they were going to do a random drug test and I found out about my status on March 21 after I returned from spring break because I had been out of the country. If I hadn’t been out of the country I would have found out about a week earlier.”

On what the dietary supplement was:

“I don’t know if I am going to release that. The team knows about it. Other teams know about it. I’ve been upfront with them. I don’t know if it’s something at this time that I should release.”

On if it was an issue in supplemental draft process:

“It wasn’t an issue because I told teams exactly what the supplement was and what the substance in the supplement was that I tested positive for. They did their research on it. Everything matched up from the paperwork they had gotten from doctors and the statements I had made. It wasn’t a problem. Teams did their research.”

On what the past couple of months have been like:

“There have been a lot of ups and downs. When I found out in May, I was real disappointed at the time when the ruling came out and that was definitely a low point if not one of the lowest points of my life so far but I started to get over it. My teammates, coaches and friends picked me back up. I’ve been moving to Nashville for the past four or five weeks and working out down in Franklin, Tenn., at D1 [Sports Training & Therapy] it kept my mind off of it and got me back in the football environment. Some of the Titans guys and high school guys were working out there so I didn’t have as much time to think about everything that had happened. It just gave me time to focus on football and that’s something that I love to do. These past few weeks have been hectic talking to teams but its all been worth it and under the circumstances, it’s the best situation for me and I’m really excited about moving to D.C.”

It's good that things worked out for the kid after losing his final year of NCAA eligibility. If teams and doctors know about the supplement, I'd like for the name of the supplement he used to be revealed. Others should know so they don't end up going through this same situation. Surely there are legal issues to be considered, but it seems awfully selfish to not get the information out there so others will learn from his mistake. One can't help but speculate the supplement was StarCaps which was implicated in the case of NFL players testing positive for the banned diuretic bumetanide which can be used to mask steroid use.

See more on Jarmon at TrueBlueKentucky.

J.C. Romero: Supplement accuser, alleged fan abuser

2009-06-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

Tampa Bay Rays fan Robert Eaton has accused J.C. Romero of assaulting him after he made a heckling comment about steroids following a game. Romero was recently reinstated from a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's policy against performance enhancing substances. The pitcher tested positive for androstenedione and blamed the failed test on the dietary supplement 6-OXO he bought over the counter. The St. Petersburg Times reports:

Robert Eaton, a 25-year-old father of two, said Phillies pitcher J.C. Romero grabbed him by the neck and pushed him after he made a comment about steroids.

On Friday night, the Rays released this statement:

"We are aware of an alleged incident between a Phillies player and a fan. At this point it is a police matter and for that reason we won't have any further comment."

Eaton said he was attempting to get autographs from Phillies players when the incident happened.

After players brushed him off, Eaton said he called out to Romero, something to the effect of, "How about you get me some juice?"

Romero was recently reinstated from a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's policy against performance enhancing substances. The pitcher claimed the test resulted from a dietary supplement he bought over the counter.

Romero snapped, Eaton said, telling him to "shut the f---- up" and that he didn't know what he was talking about.

Eaton said he replied that Romero was the one who'd been suspended recently.

"He reared back and kinda grazed my chin and grabbed me by the neck and threw me back," Eaton said. "I was in shock."

Perhaps a bit of roid rage left over from the andro he tested positive for. Romero was probably pissed about the 3 earned runs he gave up to the Rays in 0.2 innings pitched a few nights earlier. Certainly not behavior of a professional who should be used to hecklers. Next time blow it off Romero. The Phillies are likely tired of his act and if he doesn't start pitching better soon, he may be running out of mistakes.

6sqep5jin8 e5zk8t69x7

The Problem with Supplements

2009-06-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

The video below provides good background to the issues with dietary supplement manufacturers. Unregulated, unproven, misleading, mislabeled are some of the problems this video describes. Bodybuilding supplement manufacturers are notorious for their gorilla marketing campaigns and before/after shots. My favorite part is where they do before/after photos the same day and make the guy look like he lost 30lbs of fat. It's amazing what the cameraman and digital editors can do to make those photos. Greg Valentino a.k.a "the man with exploding arms" is interviewed and talks about going from selling drugs to selling supplements. A scary thought indeed.

If you don't know "the man with exploding arms," Greg Valentino, see the video below. One of the most disgusting steroid and supplement abuse stories told.

Look for the USP Verified Mark When Buying Supplements

2009-06-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

Looking for the USP Verified seal is one way to be sure your dietary supplement is what it says it is. Most of you will ask, "Why should I care?" Here are a few reasons:

Vitamins/Supplements may not contain what the manufacturers claim
Vitamins/Supplements may contain ingredients that are not claimed on their labels
Vitamins/Supplements may contain harmful levels of certain contaminants

When a dietary supplement contains the USP Verified mark, it means it has been quality tested to make sure the supplement:

Contains the ingredients listed on the label, in the declared potency and amounts
Does not contain harmful levels of contaminants like mercury or lead
Will break down and release into the body within a specified amount of time
Has been made according to FDA current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) using sanitary and well-controlled procedures

See a list of USP Verified dietary supplements. Consumerlab is another quality control organization that performs testing on herbal, vitamin and mineral supplements. If these independent testers aren't verifying the contents of your supplement, then no one is. Currently, very few supplement manufacturers carry the USP or Consumerlab seal, but the day consumers begin to demand this type of quality control is the day manufacturers will realize it's necessary to remain competitive. Whenever patients ask my advice regarding a fish oil supplement, multivitamin, or B complex, etc. I always recommend they look for a product with the USP or ConsumerLab seal.