Caution recommended using dietary supplements Published Feb. 14, 2013 By Kim Krapcha Keesler Health and Wellness Center KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- With the growing influx of dietary supplements claiming to help people get bigger, stronger and faster, it's important to stay informed of the effects and consequences these products could have on physical and mental health, or how they may cause positive drug test results. A dietary supplement is a product containing one or more ingredients intended to supplement the diet. These could include vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids and "other" ingredients and are intended to be taken by mouth via pill, powder or liquid. Regulation of dietary supplements becomes a problem when they have no pre-market approval process, formulation standards or approval of claims that must be made before the product can be sold. If the supplement is not banned or recalled by the Federal Drug Administration, Federal Trade Comission or Drug Enforcement Administration, in most cases it isn't banned by the Department of Defense. With dietary supplements, there may be some risk that they contain undeclared ingredients, and so it is not possible to predict the effects of any particular dietary supplement. Recommendations: 1) Most importantly, avoid dietary supplements -- they are expensive and only provide a temporary enhancement, if they provide any at all, and once people stop taking them most return to where they started. 2) If supplements are necessary, make sure only to buy ones that have seals from third-party verification programs. 3) For more information on supplements and drug testing, visit the Human Performance and Resource Center at http://hprc-online.org/dietary-supplements/blog/dietary-supplements-and-drug-testing. Products to avoid: 1) Any products containing dimethylamylamine also referred to as methylhexanamine, geranamine, and geranium oil, extract or stems and leaves. DMAA is increasingly being associated with serious adverse events. 2) Any products containing "andro", and androsteneidione precursors -- these are illegal to purchase or use. They are also classified as controlled substances and use is punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. For more information, call 228-376-3173.