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Educational campaign focuses on use of dietary supplements by Airmen

  • Published
  • By Capt. Alisha Florence
  • 377th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The increased use of dietary supplements by Airmen has prompted the launch of the educational campaign "Operation Supplement Safety," a joint initiative between the Human Performance Resource Center and the Department of Defense.

The campaign is designed to educate people about the risks versus the benefits of dietary supplements, and how to choose them wisely.

"There is an increase in supplement usage in the military, and it is important to understand some of the underlying risks in their use," said Judy
Armgardt, a dietitian at the Health and Wellness Center. "I can't urge people enough to be their own patient advocate and do their research."

The primary resource of Operation Supplement Safety is its website, hprc-online.org/dietary-supplements/opss.

The site provides information to help guide Airmen and medical professionals in wise use of supplements, and guides outreach efforts. It provides answers to frequently asked questions, infosheets, videos and information on how supplements rate.

In a survey conducted by the National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 60 percent of active-duty military members reported using a dietary supplement at least once a week in the previous year.

This is an increase in almost 20 percent from a study conducted just a few years ago.

"I worry that our troops may not be aware of the potential for adverse reactions to dietary supplements including an increase in metabolic rate, which may strain their cardiovascular system and increase their blood pressure," Armgardt said.

The two main forms of supplements used in the military population are pre-workout and recovery.

Pre-workout supplements are generally used to boost energy to allow for longer, more strenuous workouts.

One key ingredient in this type of supplement is caffeine. The average pre-workout supplement contains about 300 milligrams of caffeine per scoop, about three times the amount in an average cup of coffee.

Armgardt said the temptation is for people to use more than the recommended amount, and that some people have adverse physical reactions to overuse of caffeine. Some potential side effects from long-term use of caffeine-laden products are elevated blood pressure, kidney damage, liver damage, eye damage, heart arrhythmias, stroke and even death.

Recovery supplements are often used to help muscle fibers recover from a difficult workout. While they generally carry less risk and fewer side effects than pre-workout supplements, they have inherent dangers that may be more pronounced at Kirtland.

"Because of Albuquerque's lack of humidity, the risk of dehydration during a workout is elevated, and combined with pre-workout and recovery supplements, that risk is greatly increased," Armgardt said. "If you choose to use a recovery supplement, it is extremely important to ensure you are hydrating properly."

The Department of Defense has no formal list of dietary supplements or ingredients that have been banned, but the Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra and methylhexanamine or DMAA.

For more supplement information, call the Health and Wellness Center at 846-1186.

If you have specific questions concerning supplements, consult your primary care manager. Those on a personnel reliability program or flight status should consult with a competent medical authority or flight surgeon before using a new supplement.