thedrifter
06-29-07, 09:46 AM
Outgoing MEF CG warns of dietary supplement misuse
Lance Cpl. Bryan A. Peterson
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa (June 29, 2007) -- One Marine has recently died and two others have sustained permanent disabilities resulting from the misuse of dietary supplements.
All three incidents occurred over the past several months to Marines belonging to III Marine Expeditionary Force.
This trend prompted the outgoing III MEF commanding general, Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Weber, to release a message warning service members here of the often overlooked side effects of dietary supplements.
In his message, Weber warned that cardiovascular side effects, such as high blood pressure, fatal arrhythmias, strokes and heart attacks are the most dangerous complications associated with supplement misuse.
Supplements can also render a Marine or sailor more vulnerable to potentially fatal heat injuries by impairing the service member's body ability to automatically regulate heat. This potential side effect is amplified by the hot humid conditions here over the summer months.
Additional adverse reactions to dietary supplements include sleep disorders, seizures, anxiety and psychiatric disorders like psychosis and increased aggression toward others, Weber stated in his message.
Concerns about Marines and sailors abusing supplements, such as muscle enhancers, energy drinks and energy bars, is shared among many medical professionals and commanders here, said Navy Capt. Loring I. Perry, the 3rd Marine Division surgeon.
"The issue we have is not the supplements themselves," Perry said. "The main issue is when the Marines and sailors misuse these products."
Misuse often involves the consumption of massive amounts of caffeine, Perry said.
Since the FDA banned the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloid, popularly know as ephedra, in 2004, dietary supplements labeled "ephedra free" are now sold as alternatives. Among the main ingredients of these alternative products is caffeine, Perry said.
"Caffeine is legal, and with that being said, there is no legal way to regulate these energy items which contain it," he said. "Caffeine is relatively safe when consumed moderately. For example, one 16-ounce cup of coffee contains 100 milligrams of caffeine, which is all the body needs for the day. Some of these energy drinks are in 32-ounce cans containing twice-as-much caffeine per fluid ounce. That's like drinking five cans of soda. It's dangerous."
Navy Lt. Matthew N. Mercer, the 3rd MarDiv. environmental health officer, said service members often have the misconception that any item sold over the counter is safe, but this is not necessarily true.
According to the FDA, "the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act states that the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that its dietary supplement products are safe before they are marketed. Unlike drug products that must be proven safe and effective for their intended use before marketing, there are no provisions in the law for FDA to approve dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they reach the consumer."
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Julian M. Althoff, the III MEF preventive medicine officer, said Marines and sailors who take performance enhancing pills to aid them in creating their desired physique are going about it the wrong way.
"What Marine or sailor doesn't want to improve their performance?" she asked. "Service members are constantly trying to get in the shape they want. But they need to know that what the bottle reads is not necessarily true. There is no scientific evidence to back up any manufacturers' claims for a healthier body."
Althoff also warned against using energy products in combination with supplements.
"Sometimes a Marine or sailor will take an energy pill and think that, 'Well if one is good, then four is better,'" which is not the case she said. "If anyone is going to use these products, then they need to talk to their physician or read the recommended dosage on the back label. Just treat them like medications."
Perry said, knowing about the dangers of supplements is the best way to avoid misuse.
"If we can get all the Marines' and sailors' attention about the risks involved when taking these supplements, then they'll be better off," he said. "Nothing can replace a well-balanced diet. Eating right, exercising daily and getting enough sleep are the only ways anyone's body will be healthy."
Ellie
Lance Cpl. Bryan A. Peterson
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa (June 29, 2007) -- One Marine has recently died and two others have sustained permanent disabilities resulting from the misuse of dietary supplements.
All three incidents occurred over the past several months to Marines belonging to III Marine Expeditionary Force.
This trend prompted the outgoing III MEF commanding general, Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Weber, to release a message warning service members here of the often overlooked side effects of dietary supplements.
In his message, Weber warned that cardiovascular side effects, such as high blood pressure, fatal arrhythmias, strokes and heart attacks are the most dangerous complications associated with supplement misuse.
Supplements can also render a Marine or sailor more vulnerable to potentially fatal heat injuries by impairing the service member's body ability to automatically regulate heat. This potential side effect is amplified by the hot humid conditions here over the summer months.
Additional adverse reactions to dietary supplements include sleep disorders, seizures, anxiety and psychiatric disorders like psychosis and increased aggression toward others, Weber stated in his message.
Concerns about Marines and sailors abusing supplements, such as muscle enhancers, energy drinks and energy bars, is shared among many medical professionals and commanders here, said Navy Capt. Loring I. Perry, the 3rd Marine Division surgeon.
"The issue we have is not the supplements themselves," Perry said. "The main issue is when the Marines and sailors misuse these products."
Misuse often involves the consumption of massive amounts of caffeine, Perry said.
Since the FDA banned the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloid, popularly know as ephedra, in 2004, dietary supplements labeled "ephedra free" are now sold as alternatives. Among the main ingredients of these alternative products is caffeine, Perry said.
"Caffeine is legal, and with that being said, there is no legal way to regulate these energy items which contain it," he said. "Caffeine is relatively safe when consumed moderately. For example, one 16-ounce cup of coffee contains 100 milligrams of caffeine, which is all the body needs for the day. Some of these energy drinks are in 32-ounce cans containing twice-as-much caffeine per fluid ounce. That's like drinking five cans of soda. It's dangerous."
Navy Lt. Matthew N. Mercer, the 3rd MarDiv. environmental health officer, said service members often have the misconception that any item sold over the counter is safe, but this is not necessarily true.
According to the FDA, "the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act states that the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that its dietary supplement products are safe before they are marketed. Unlike drug products that must be proven safe and effective for their intended use before marketing, there are no provisions in the law for FDA to approve dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they reach the consumer."
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Julian M. Althoff, the III MEF preventive medicine officer, said Marines and sailors who take performance enhancing pills to aid them in creating their desired physique are going about it the wrong way.
"What Marine or sailor doesn't want to improve their performance?" she asked. "Service members are constantly trying to get in the shape they want. But they need to know that what the bottle reads is not necessarily true. There is no scientific evidence to back up any manufacturers' claims for a healthier body."
Althoff also warned against using energy products in combination with supplements.
"Sometimes a Marine or sailor will take an energy pill and think that, 'Well if one is good, then four is better,'" which is not the case she said. "If anyone is going to use these products, then they need to talk to their physician or read the recommended dosage on the back label. Just treat them like medications."
Perry said, knowing about the dangers of supplements is the best way to avoid misuse.
"If we can get all the Marines' and sailors' attention about the risks involved when taking these supplements, then they'll be better off," he said. "Nothing can replace a well-balanced diet. Eating right, exercising daily and getting enough sleep are the only ways anyone's body will be healthy."
Ellie