Nutritional Supplements and Athletics

The scene is set. It is 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, and the final heat of the Olympics is about to commence. The sprinters have been training their entire lives for the opportunity at hand, and the outcome of the most important event of their lives is going to come down to mere milliseconds. With a gold medal on the line, these athletes will be looking for any advantage they can get, whether big or small. One direction these athletes turn for an advantage is supplements. Supplements have emerged as a way for athletes to increase their performance, yet their use is very controversial. Supplements, varying from simple multivitamins to complex chemical supplements, are used by almost every athlete, whether recreational or professional, looking for a way to gain an advantage. Although the advantages gained from these supplements are controversial and risky, supplements have become a mainstay in athletics.
Humans have been striving for optimum health since the beginning of organized civilization, and one way humans have attempted to accomplish this ambition is through supplements. Sumerians living in present day Iraq began this practice, and the tradition has carried throughout history to present day. What began with primeval organic supplements, such as thyme, licorice, and the mustard plant, has progressed to sophisticated manufactured supplements available for purchase. (1-1) Understanding of why supplements were effective advanced in 1746 when sailors recognized consuming citrus fruits cured scurvy. This was the first recorded time in history when humans obtained knowledge about the concept of vitamins, and it completely changed history. After the revelation, humans began to discover numerous vitamins and minerals. This ...

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...consumed immediately before or after an event because they do not provide proper nutrients for those periods. (1)
Supplement use is continually increasing across the United States. Americans are looking for an easy way to cure their health, and supplements are where they have turned. Supplements come in many different varieties, ranging from natural herbal supplements to chemical pre-workout mixes. While over half of the US adult population uses supplements, even more athletes use supplements. However, supplement use is not as easy and simple as it may seem. There are risks associated with using supplements, particularly if you take many prescription drugs, and even more risks if you are an athlete competing under WADA code. Despite the risks, exaggerated marketing, and uncertainty of success, supplements will continue to be a booming business in the US.