Supplements

SUPPLEMENTS

Many people take dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, fatty acids, enzymes, prohormones, etc.)

More and more supplements are being added to food and beverage products as well. Grocery store shelves are stocked with everything from protein bars packed with creatine (purported to help bulk you up) to juices spiked with ginkgo biloba (purported to boost your memory).

		Students may choose to take supplements for many reasons: to help meet their nutrient needs, achieve their fitness goals, promote optimal physical health, or improve their emotional well-being There is accumulating scientific evidence that many supplements do, in fact, offer these benefits.

However, there is also a lot of evidence that many supplements do not. Effective or not, most dietary supplements are safe when taken in the recommended dose (meaning they will not harm you). But, some supplements carry significant health risks of which you might not be aware.