Substances & side effects

Creatine

Background Information

  • Amino acid naturally produced by the liver, kidneys and pancreas and stored in muscle tissue
  • Also found in food, such as fish and red meat
  • Creatine use significantly increased after the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona when it was discovered that many Olympians had used it to help improve their performance
  • Frequently used by people involved in sports that require power, such as football

Function

  • Used by the body to help make Adenosine Triphospate (ATP), a form of energy utilized in sprinting or anaerobic activities

Desired Effects on the Body

  • Increase work capacity with short, repetitive exercise or anaerobic activity
  • Prolong onset of fatigue after exercise
  • Increase in weight and muscle strength, as well as improve performance

Research Evidence

  • Studies in the laboratory setting have found some ergogenic benefit (including increase in power, strength and sprint performance) in activities of high energy and short duration (<30 sec). Application of this to enhanced performance in sporting activities is less well demonstrated.
  • Increase in weight gain

Potential Side Effects

  • Water retention resulting in weight gain at initiation of supplement
  • Anecdotal muscle and stomach cramping
  • Dehydration
  • Possibility of developing reversible kidney issues
  • Potential increased risk of compartment syndrome

Warnings

  • Very few studies have evaluated the short- and long-term effects of creatine usage in people younger than 18 years old
  • American Academy of Sports Medicine suggests that people younger than 18 years old should not be using creatine
  • "Creatine can be viewed as a 'gateway substance' that may prompt a young athlete to consider other ergogenic aids, such as anabolic steroids." (Laos & Metzl)

Organizations Banning this Substance

  • No bans in place
  • Cannot be given to athletes directly through NCAA-associated facilities

DHEA
Background Information

  • Formally known as dehydroepiandrosterone
  • Naturally produced and secreted by the adrenal glands and gonads
  • Very similar to androstenedione and anabolic steroids
  • DHEA production decreases with age

Function

  • Used by the body to help increase the amount of testosterone in the body

Desired Effects on the Body

  • Increase muscle mass and strength when high doses are used
  • Improve performance
  • Decrease body fat
  • Decrease risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer's and osteoporosis
  • Decreases or reverses aging process; known as "fountain of youth"

Research Evidence

  • Increases in testosterone are not found with moderate doses
  • Studies have shown no increase in muscle mass, strength or performance, as well as no other ergogenic effects on the body

Risk Factors

  • Testicular shrinkage
  • Male pattern baldness
  • Weight loss
  • Stretch marks
  • Irreversible development of breasts in men
  • Acne
  • Irreversible acquisition of male characteristics in women
  • Decrease in strength of tendons
  • Possibility of addiction
  • Increased estrogen effect, which can increase the risk of developing CVD, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer
  • Possibility of increasing hormone-sensitive malignancies
  • May lead to adverse ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein
  • May result in stunted growth in athletes who have not completed growing
  • May cause positive results with drug testing

Organizations banning this substance

  • Banned by major sports organizations such as the International Olympic Committee, National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Football League

Ephedrine
Background Information

  • A stimulant found in the herbal forms of ephedra and Ma Huang
  • Used in the production of methamphetamine in illegal drug labs
  • Usually combined with caffeine in weight loss products
  • Hundreds of unfavorable reactions, including death, have been reported to the FDA after using products containing ephedrine

Function

  • Increase in heat production and resting metabolic rate, which helps with caloric expenditure and results in weight loss
  • Delays fatigue
  • Believed to cause an increase in stimulation of the central nervous system

Research Evidence

  • Some studies have shown that the use of ephedrine did not lead to improvements in performance

Potential Side Effects

  • Jittery
  • Sweating
  • Weight loss
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Seizure
  • Arrhythmias
  • Psychiatric problems

Organizations banning this substance

  • Banned by major sports organizations
  • Banned by FDA in 2004

Protein Supplements

Background Information

  • One of the more commonly used supplements in athletes
  • Most US Citizens take in more than the required daily amount of protein
  • RDA protein general population is 0.8 mg/kg/day
  • RDA for an athlete is 1.2-1.4 mg/kg/day (endurance) and 1.2-1.7 mg/kg/day (resistance training)
  • Typically available in powder and liquid forms
  • Best source of protein supplementation is food-based protein

Desired Effects on the Body

  • Weight gain
  • Increases in strength, power & lean muscle

Research Evidence

  • BCAA have not been proven to increase lean muscle or help improve performance, especially with resistance training
  • Some studies have demonstrated no change in strength or lean muscle with the use of glutamine

Potential Side Effects

  • Water retention resulting in weight gain at initiation of supplement
  • Anecdotal muscle and stomach cramping
  • Dehydration
  • Possibility of developing reversible kidney issues
  • Potential increased risk of compartment syndrome

Risk Factors

  • Kidney problems when taken in high amounts
  • Not proven to increase strength or lean muscle

Organizations Banning this Substance

  • No bans in place