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Ergogenic Aids and Dietary Pills and Their Effects on Body Composition

Nevin Morrison

PE  1000

Jennifer Spriddle

October 20, 1997

            In this world of new technologies people are always ready to look for the quick fix to solve their problems.  Companies are always looking for different ways to provide consumers with a product that they feel they need.  These ideas also hold true in the world of sports medicine.  Companies are expected to provide the consumers with so called “wonder drugs and vitamins,” that will solve people problems of body composition.  In North American society there is a strong cultural pressure for men to be muscular and women to be skinny.  Athletes have tremendous pressure to excel at higher and higher levels.  As people try to adhere to these strong societal stereotypes, they often look to science to produce quick solutions to their problems.  Enterprising companies often offer products that have not been problem to work or tested for side effects.  Pills, vitamins, and drugs that claim to help you lose weight, increase muscle mass, and increase performance are some of these untested or poorly tested products.  Instead of eating a healthy diet, and entering into some form of physical activity to improve their health, achieve their desired physical appearance or reach their desired performance level, people pay large quantities of money into these companies that claim they can solve their problems.  The following paper will try to identify many of these different ergogenic aids (or wonder drugs and vitamins), show their effectiveness and the possible side effects of using them.

Section 1: Ergogenic Aids

            The first section of this article will address different ergogenic aids that have been used to attempt to increase muscle mass and athletic performance.  The information in this section has been taken from the “Journal of Sports Science,” and the text “Concepts of Physical Fitness.”  These sources have backed their articles with very valid and well-researched studies, which you may not find in the popular muscle and fitness magazines.

            Amino acids are one type of substances that are taken to promote muscle growth and increase muscle mass.  Common forms of this substance are arginine, ornithine, lysine and tyrosine.  Companies that offer amino acids to increase muscle mass, claim that amino acids stimulate the release of the HGH (human growth hormone) and insulin that produce an anabolic effect (Williams, 1995, Pg. S64).

            Although some studies have shown that their may by an increase in the human growth hormone there is no evidence that their has been an increase in muscle growth or strength.  Also, amino acids consumed in excess amounts may produce acute gastrointestinal distress, and liver and kidney problems (Williams, 1995, Pg. S64).

            Boron is another ineffective ergogenic aid that has been sold claiming to produce increased muscle mass.  Boron was originally used to increase serum testosterone levels in the body, and has not been proven to produce any gains in muscle mass.  High levels of Boron may also be toxic to the body (Williams, 1995, Pg S64).

            Chromium is another substance that has claimed to produce ergogenic effects.  Some studies have shown that Chromium may increase LBM (lean body mass) (Williams, 1995).  Other better-monitored studies have proven this theory wrong.  High levels of Chromium may exacerbate glucose tolerance (Williams, 1995, Pg. S65).  Recent studies also show a possible link to cancer and chromosome damage (Corbin, 1997). 

            Creatine may be one possible ergogenic aid that actually may do what it claims to do.  Creatine claims to enhance energy production in high intensity exercise and increase body mass.  Gains achieved by taking Creatine may be due to synthesis of contractile proteins or water retention (Williams, 1995, Pg. S65).  Further research may be needed to determine the reasons of these gains.  No side effects have been found from this product as of yet.

            Omega – 3 fatty acids are another product that has claimed to produce positive gains in muscle mass.  The production of specific eiosanoids from Omega – 3 fatty acid metabolism is said to stimulate the release of the HGH casing increased strength and muscle mass.  There is not enough evidence on this substance to show substantial increases in muscle mass and strength.  Omega – 3 fatty acids are normally safe but may interfere with blood clotting in high levels (Williams, 1995, Pg. S65).

            Companies have claimed that plant extracts such as gamma oryzanol and yohimbine as HGH stimulants.  The facts are that gamma oryzanol may actually decrease testosterone levels and there is little data on yohimbine.  These substances may have adverse long-term effects (Williams, 1995).

            Vitamin B12 and its co-enzyme Dibencobal have also been claimed to stimulate muscle growth.  No studies have shown that Vitamin B12 increases LBM or strength.  There are no known side effects of Vitamin B12 (Williams, 1995).

            Antidiuretics and Diuretics have been used to alter body water levels to suit different sports.  Two common examples of diuretics are caffeine and alcohol.  These substances may have positive effects on jumping events and adverse effects on long-term aerobic activities.  Alcohol has been related to many health problems.  Caffeine is considered safe at moderate levels (Williams, 1995).  Caffeine may also enhance endurance.  Evidence of this is inconsistent (Corbin, 1997, Pg. 243).

            Glycerol is a substance that can increase water retention or hyper hydration.  This can be advantageous for long-term aerobic events.  Studies do show increased performance.  Large amounts of this substance may lead to abnormal pressures on tissue spaces (Williams, 1995).

Section 2: Dietary Pills 

            The second section of this report is based on the findings of the text, “Drugs and Diet.”  This text is also considered to be an authority on the issue of dieting and dietary pills.  The information taken from this text is also considered to be well researched.

            Diet pills also known as anorectic drugs are becoming increasingly popular at alarming rates.  The three basic categories that these drugs fit into are amphetamines, amphetamine-like drugs and over the counter prescription drugs (Samz, 1988, Pg. 32).

            Amphetamines enhance the nervous system and stimulate the release of norepinephrine and noradrenaline.  These hormones work as appetite suppressants as well as increase blood pressure, dilate nasal and bronchial passages along with increasing breathing and pulse rates (Samz, 1988).  Amphetamines also may cause many other much more serious side effects such as, “head aches, sleepiness, dizziness, shakiness, restlessness, high blood pressure, palpitations (strong rapid pulse rate), tachycardia (a fast heartbeat), nervousness, diarrhea or constipation, dry mouth, an unpleasant taste in mouth, and stomach problems.  They may perspire heavily and they may “feel high” (Samz, 1988).  High doses can cause “anxiety, panic attacks, severe skin rashes, muscle and joint pain, rapid breathing, arrhythmia (an irregular heart beat that can be life threatening), confusion, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and either dangerously high or low blood pressure” (Samz, 1988, Pg. 33).  Amphetamines are also very addictive and long-term users begin to rely on the drug for its energy.  Amphetamine withdrawal can cause sleepiness and depression (Samz, 1988, Pg. 33).

            Amphetamine like diet drugs are also very popular diet aids and produce similar effects and side effects to amphetamines.  Common types of these drugs are “bensphetamine, chlorphentermine, clortemine, diethylpropion, mazindol, phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, and phetermine”(Samz, 1988).  Like amphetamines these drugs are nervous system stimulants.  These drugs have all of the same side effects as amphetamines except an overdose with one of these drugs can lead to even worse outcomes such as, “convulsions, coma, and death” (Samz, 1988, Pg. 35-36).  Withdrawal from addiction to these substances can also cause depression. 

Fenfuramine is unlike amphetamines and amphetamine-like drugs because it is a nervous system depressant, not a stimulant.  Fenfuramine increases the body’s ability to use glucose, which suppresses hunger.  This drug may cause a loss of ten to fifteen pounds over a six-month period.  This may also be a very dangerous dietary drug if not used correctly.  An overdose on fenfuramine may cause “fever, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, convulsions, an uncoordinated heart beat, coma and death.  Death is due to respiratory failure or cardiac arrest” (Samz, 1988, Pg. 38). 

            Over the counter pills are the last and possible the scariest of the weight loss drugs.  These drugs are potentially very dangerous because they are available to the often-unknowledgeable general public without a doctor’s prescription.  These drugs may be just as dangerous as the prescription drugs if taken incorrectly.  Phenylpropanoline or PPA is the most common of these over the counter drugs.  It is a stimulant of the hypothalamus, which causes a reduced desire to eat (Samz, 1988, Pg. 45).  Side effects of this drug may cause “nausea, nervousness, insomnia, rapid pulse beat, palpations, and tightness of the chest” (Samz, 1988, Pg. 45).  Other studies have concluded PPA overdose can cause, “Seizures, chest pains, kidney failure, and psychotic episodes in some cases” (Samz, 1988).  Caffeine taken with PPA can also enhance its effects and increase the risks (Samz, 1988, Pg, 46).

            Benzocaine is another PPA free over the counter drug.  This drug reduces the urge to eat by swelling up in your stomach, once ingested, causing a feeling of being full.  This drug also numbs the taste buds reducing the urge to eat (Samz, 1988).  This drug may not be as dangerous, but it is not a healthy means of weight loss either.

Conclusion:

            There are many drugs that have come onto the market to help people change their body composition.  These drugs and supplements often claim to produce great muscle gains or weight losses.  The validity of these claims are subject to great criticisms.  Even when these products do prove to be effective in producing their desired outcomes, the health risks that are taken with these products far out weight any positive effects that they may produce.  Science and technology have yet to produce a product that is safer, cheaper, and more effective in altering body composition than physical activity and a healthy nutritional diet.

            This article has been based on the research of many well-respected texts in the field of sports medicine.  The information given in these texts may be backed with more scientific research than normally found in popular muscle and fitness magazines.  The same companies that are trying to promote these ergogenic aids and dietary pills often sponsor these magazines.  Anyone considering trying different ergogenic aids or dietary pills should always check the research backing the product and be aware of all of the possible side effects.  The disadvantages of taking these products almost always out way the advantages of taking these products.   

Bibliography

Corbin, Charles B. Etal. Concepts of Physical Fitness. Ninth Ed. Times Morror Higher             Education Group Inc. 1997 .pg. 243

Samz, Jame. The encyclopedia of Pschactive Drugs, Series 2, Drugs and Diet.  Chelsea House Publishers.  1988.  pg. 32-36.

Williams, M.H.  “Nutritional ergogenics in athletics.” Journal of Sport Sciences. E. & F.N. Spon, Vol. 13. pg. S63-74.