Supplements & Drugs - How They Affect Your Health and Fitness

How are supplements different from drugs? Supplements are products intended to supplement the regular diet, which means they will provide your body with nutrients that it doesn't get through food alone. The most common supplements available include vitamins, minerals, fiber, herbal extracts, amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), and fatty acids (such as omega-3s). Supplements can come in various forms, such as capsules and tablets, powders, liquids, and bars.

How do drugs affect your health?

A drug is any substance other than food that has a physiological effect when taken into the body. We classify drugs according to their origin. The major categories include: -Alimentary tract and metabolism (medicines that act on the digestive system) -CNS (central nervous system or those that act on brain function and the nerves that relay information to and from the brain) -Dermatological (affect the skin, hair, and nails) -Genito-urinary (effects on kidneys, bladder, genitals, etc.) -Hematological (affect red blood cells or platelets) -Immunological (affect the immune system) -Musculoskeletal (relate to muscles, bones, and joints) -Miscellaneous (includes medicines for pain relief, smoking cessation, or motion sickness)

What are the risks of taking performance-enhancing drugs?

According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), some people consider supplements and performance-enhancing drugs synonymous. However, there are many supplements available that do not fit into this category. Some examples include: -Creatine, which helps to supply energy to the body's muscles and is taken by some athletes -Caffeine, which increases attention and alertness and may improve an athlete's ability to perform time-based tasks; taken in drinks such as coffee or cola -Glucose polymers (carbohydrates) can improve endurance and aid recovery Sports drinks such as Gatorade, Powerade, or Lucozade Sport contain carbohydrates and electrolytes (salts) and provide energy for the body. There is no evidence of harmful effects from taking supplements that fall into these categories. However, if you take supplements that are more likely to contain a banned substance, there is a higher risk of testing positive for doping.

Do supplements cause false positives?

The only risks associated with taking supplements relate to individual ingredients within the supplement and their effects on your health. Taking a supplement containing a prohibited substance that is not disclosed on the label may cause a positive doping test.

What are some common examples of supplements that can cause false positives?

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned some ingredients in supplements because they trigger positive tests in athletes. Some common examples include: ● Synephrine ● Ephedra ● Higenamine ● B-methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA) ● Halotestin (fluoxymesterone)

What are some banned performance-enhancing drugs?

According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), some of these substances are classified as stimulants and others as anabolic agents. Stimulants: ● Amphetamine ● Benzodiazepines ● Cannabis ● Cocaine ● Cathi ne ● Ecstasy (MDMA) ● Ephedrine and other related sympathomimetic amines ● Khat ● Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) ● Methylhexaneamine (dimethylpentylamine) ● Modafinil ● Pemoline ● Phentermine Anabolic agents: ● Androstenedione and other anabolic agents such as norandrostenedione and norandrostenediol ● Clenbuterol ● D2,3-Androstene-4,6,17 trione ● Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and other related substances ● Ephedrine and other corresponding sympathomimetic amines ● 19-norandrostenedione and other anabolic agents which are not naturally derived ● 19-norandrostenediol and other anabolic agents which are not naturally derived ● Stanozolol (Winstrol)

Why take supplements?

There are many reasons people choose to take supplements. Health professionals may recommend supplements after assessing an individual's diet to ensure that it provides an adequate intake (AI) of all nutrients. For example, as people age, their appetite naturally declines, and many seniors don't eat as wide a variety of foods as they once did. Medical experts may also recommend supplements for allergies or intolerances to certain food groups, such as dairy. In addition, a health professional might recommend supplements to ensure that an individual's diet contains enough calcium and vitamin D. Some supplements are used to treat diseases or health conditions, for example, by providing adequate levels of a nutrient that may be lacking. For example, some women choose to take calcium and Vitamin D supplements during pregnancy and while nursing to reduce the risk of their child developing rickets (weak bones). In addition, people with cardiovascular disease may wish to take omega-3 fatty acids supplements to help prevent a second heart attack. People may choose to take supplements as part of a healthy lifestyle, for example, by adding calcium and Vitamin D supplements to their diet after they stop breastfeeding. Athletes may wish to take amino acid supplements to improve muscle mass and performance. Some people choose to use herbal supplements to improve overall health or fight off colds. It's important to note that healthy agencies do not regulate supplements for efficacy and safety like prescription medications are (although retailers sell some supplements as over-the-counter drugs).

How do I choose the right supplement?

When deciding which supplement is best for you, it's essential to consider your dietary needs and any health conditions or medications you may be taking. For example, someone who requires additional fiber in their diet because of constipation should look for a high-fiber supplement such as psyllium husk. In contrast, someone looking to lower their cholesterol levels would do better with a plant sterol and stanol supplement. A healthy, well-balanced diet can provide most people with all the nutrients they need to remain healthy. However, if you are unsure whether you are taking in an adequate level of any essential nutrients, it's best to talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

Advantages of Supplement & Drugs

Provides vital nourishment to the body

Supplements may be utilized when the body is deficient in certain critical nutrients, vitamins, or minerals. It will readily provide the body with these critical nutrients.

Disease prevention is important.

Certain supplements may aid in the prevention of certain illnesses. Pregnant women, for example, are given folic acid supplements to help lower the chance of birth abnormalities in their children. Antioxidants in other supplements help to prevent cancer.

Supplements are excellent food substitutes.

Rather than going through the trouble of cooking a meal, one may acquire all of the nutrients from that meal by just ingesting a single tablet. It's that simple and convenient to use. It relieves individuals of the burden of needing to eat a certain meal because they are low in a specific nutrient.

Nutritional deficits must be addressed.

If your diet is deficient in particular nutrients, you may compensate by taking dietary supplements. Low bone density, anemia, weakened immunity, and other medical disorders caused by vitamin deficiencies are just a few instances.

Boost your energy levels.

The majority of health supplements seek to offer your body all of the vitamins and minerals it requires. It's worth noting that if you're deficient in particular nutrients, you'll be more likely to feel tired since your body will have to work even harder to operate properly. As a result, consuming health supplements might help you feel more energized. Aside from the previously stated advantages, many health supplements may also boost your mood, reduce worry and tension, and preserve physical strength. You must remember, however, that you should not just rely on health supplements to maintain your good health.

Disadvantages of Drugs and supplements

Excessive use of supplements is harmful to one's health.

Another potential drawback of supplements is that some of them may be harmful. If you take too many vitamins, it might be harmful to your health. If you consume too much fat-soluble Vitamins A, D, and E, for example, they will ultimately build up to hazardous amounts in your body.

Addiction proclivity

Drugs have an uncanny ability to attach to individuals. They hardly let go of it after it fulfills the goal they set for it. As a consequence, supplements are tablets that anybody might get into the habit of taking regularly, leading to excessive consumption.

Don't forget to include natural nutrients in your diet.

It's important to remember that just because you're taking nutritional supplements doesn't mean you don't need to eat the daily suggested portions of the primary food categories. It's still preferable to receive your nutrients from food rather than supplements.