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Dietary Supplements - Backgrounds Reviews & History

Dietary Supplements
The following additional supplements are included here because they are the most popular at this time. This section is not intended as an endorsement to take these products, but merely to acquaint the trainer with the effects of that these supplements might have on the client that they are training. The trainer needs to make an assessment as to whether they want to accept clients who are taking controversial supplements. Should something occur, the trainer will certainly have to accept some of the moral if not legal responsibility.

It is not our policy to promote supplements. Even aspirin and acetaminophen taken over long periods of time can affect bodily functions in less desirable ways. Use your brain filter before you use your liver and kidney filters. It is not worth a temporary increase in muscle size as a trade for a permanently blown liver or kidney. A product potent enough to help will be potent enough to cause side effects. Long-term effects of supplements have never been studied. Would you eat an arbitrary quantity of anything everyday (ice cream, beef, etc.)? The best nutrition plans alternate foods to provide a distribution of various food groups, which provide all the body needs for growth and maintenance. Read the ingredients of all products carefully. Many "Complex Formula" type diet supplements contain various ingredients; some of which may be stimulants or laxatives. Weight loss results may only be temporary and due to the diuretic effect of the supplement.

We provide both the pros and cons here. You are free to make your own informed decision for yourselfand your clients. There is no conclusive evidence as to the long-term effects of these supplements nor is there conclusive evidence that they shouldn't be taken. The FDA and USDA leave it up to you as we do.

• Do not take supplements without your doctor’s advice if you are pregnant or could become pregnant.
  
  
• Do not take supplements without your doctor’s advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
  
  
• Do not give any supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.
  
  
• Do not take supplements if you are taking any prescribed drugs.

Dietary Supplements

• Androstenedione (Androstene)
• Chromium
• Choline
• Creatine Monohydrate
• DHEA
• Ephedra (Ma Huang)
• GABA
• L-Glutamine
• Synephrine
• Yohimbe

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Content Provided by International Fitness Association