Guide to use of dietary supplements; info to live by

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt editor
Military operations are nothing new to service members, nor are health initiatives.

The funny thing is, a service member who thinks he or she is building their operational capabilities by boosting health, it might be just the opposite -- if banned dietary supplements are used.

That is the concern that prompted Operation Supplement Safety, a joint initiative between the Human Performance Resource Center and the Department of Defense. It is designed to educate service members, retirees, family members, leaders, healthcare providers and DoD civilians about dietary supplements and how to choose them wisely.

While proper and approved supplements can be safe and bolster one's health, taking unapproved supplements can be risky or dangerous to mental or physical health, said Susan Haley, MacDill Health and Wellness Center dietician.

In addition to posing possible health risks, using banned supplements can lead to disciplinary action. Keeping up with what is OK and what isn't can be a challenge, but the information is available on the OPSS website at http://hprc-online.org/dietary-supplements/opss makes it easy.

The site has targeting information about supplements, as well as useful guides for rating various supplements. It also has a guide to determining the purity or cleanliness of supplements, and a an "Ask the Expert" feature to get questions about supplements answered. There also is a Frequently Asked Questions section, as well as videos, and info sheets for geared for war fighters. There also is in-depth information for healthcare providers.

"It is the perfect resource for anyone looking to learn more about supplements, what's safe and what isn't," said Haley.

One of Haley's biggest concerns is the drug ingredient DMAA, which is a stimulant in some supplements. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been campaigning about the potential dangers of DMAA, warning of such health risks as heart attack.

Typical claims for DMAA products include fat burning, muscle building and weight loss. Since these goals also may be those of service members looking to get into or stay in shape, there is particular concern, said Haley, adding that DMAA may not be effective.

"DMAA is one of the more worrisome of the supplement ingredients out there, and one we pay particular attention to," said Haley. "DMAA or anything containing the active ingredient Dimethylamylamine is now illegal as a supplement ingredient under FDA rules."