Today in the United States, herbal supplements are growing increasingly popular, however, little is known about the safety and efficacy of these products. This study contributes to the growing body of information about the prevalence of herbal supplement use among young adults (18 to 24 years) and the beliefs young adults hold about herbal supplements in relation to their dietary attitudes and behaviors. A self-administered, four-part questionnaire was mailed to a geographically representative sample of 298 young adults (18 to 24 years) residing in Oregon; 205 questionnaires were usable (69% response rate). There was an equal ratio of male and female respondents, half students and half non-students, the majority being Caucasian (93%), with a mean age of 21.5 years. Nearly 60% of the sample reported using herbal supplements (n=122). Thirty-seven percent were sometime users (less than weekly) and 22% were regular users (at least weekly). More female respondents reported using herbal supplements (69%) than did male respondents (49%). Respondents who were White or Asian/Pacific Islander were the only ethnic groups that reported using herbal supplements regularly. Users were more educated than non-users, however use was very similar among students and non-students. Herbal supplement use also was very similar between respondents having different residencies. Familiarity with different herbs was positively related to level of herbal supplement use. Regular users were familiar with the greatest number of herbs, followed by sometime users. Herbal supplement users tended to have more healthful lifestyle characteristics than non-users. Frequency of fast food patronage was negatively related to level of herbal supplement use. The median number of times a fast food restaurant was patronized was lower among regular users of herbal supplements than among those who did not use supplements or used them less often. The median number of times breakfast was eaten also seemed to be slightly higher among regular users than other groups. Other healthful lifestyle characteristics, such as BMI and drinking in moderation, did not tend to be more healthful among herbal supplement users. The results were mixed on smoking behavior. Regular users of herbal supplements were no more or less likely than non-users to smoke, but non-users were less likely than sometime users to smoke. Regular users of herbal supplements tended to think herbal supplements are useful for certain health parameters more often than sometime users and non-users. Most regular users of herbal supplements agreed herbs are useful for maintaining good health (89%) and preventing/treating common illnesses like colds (85%). Almost two-thirds also thought herbs are useful for preventing serious chronic illnesses (61%) and insuring a well-balanced diet (65%). Attitudes toward the effectiveness, convenience, and expense of taking herbal supplements in comparison to eating a balanced diet as ways of staying healthy were related to herbal supplement use. Herbal supplement users did not appear to have positive attitudes towards herbs when comparing herbs to a well-balanced diet. Only 11% of users thought that herbs are more effective than diet as ways to stay healthy, and users were more likely than non-users to think herbs are more expensive ways to stay healthy. However, both levels of users were more likely to think herbal supplements are more convenient than diet. Attitudes about the effectiveness, safety, expense, naturalness, potency, and personal control of taking herbal supplements in comparison to prescription medications was related to level of herbal supplement use. In general the trend was for users to be more likely to have positive attitudes toward herbs and less likely to give a "don't know" answer. Eating the recommended number of food guide pyramid servings of fruits and vegetables as well as eating a greater number of nutrient rich vegetables was not related to herbal supplement use. However, a somewhat higher percentage of herbal supplement users tended to meet the fruit and vegetable recommendations than nonusers of herbal supplements. Stage of change in relation to vegetable intake was related to herbal supplement use. As respondents' herbal supplement use increased, so did the likelihood of classifying themselves into one of the action stages of change for vegetable consumption. Stage of change for fruit consumption was not related to herbal supplement use. Choice to stop using herbs if they were pronounced unsafe by a governmental agency was not related to level of herbal supplement use. However, 17% of sometime users and 16% of regular users reported that they would continue to use herbs even after they were pronounced unsafe by a governmental agency. The results of this study clearly show that there is a high prevalence of herbal supplement use among young adults in Oregon, and those who are using herbal supplements seem to have a strong belief in the herbs they are taking. With the limited knowledge on herbs' safety and efficacy, young adults need to be educated about the herbs they are using. Hopefully, the information from this study can help health professionals identify which young adults might be using herbal supplements in order to educate them on making smart choices about herbs, and smart choices about their overall health. To inform young adults about the herbs they are using, additional research on herbal supplements' potential benefits and harmful side effects is needed. / Graduation date: 2002

Current feed formulations within the aquaculture industry have tended to rely on high dietary lipid thus offsetting relatively expensive protein as a source of energy. In this way, protein can be ‘spared’ for synthesis of new tissue and the high lipid content can also fulfil both fish and consumer essential fatty acid (EFA) requirements. However, the main disadvantage of feeding high lipid levels to farmed fish is a surplus of fat deposition in the flesh and other important tissues, which can detrimentally impact on quality characteristics central to the human consumer. However, based on previous work in other animal models, it is entirely feasible that supplementation of the diet with bioactive fatty acids such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA) may mitigate the deleterious effects of feeding farmed fish high fat diets by reducing fat deposition in particular. The general objective of this research work was to test the hypothesis that CLA and/or TTA could augment growth, reduce fat deposition and enhance fatty acid composition via incorporation of these bioactive fatty acids, and increase n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) levels in the flesh of commercially important fish species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). This project also considered the influence of CLA and TTA on enzymes and transcription factors thought to be pivotal in lipid metabolism and fatty acid oxidation in particular. A subsidiary aim of this research work was to investigate the immunological impact of dietary CLA and TTA administration in these fish. The results of this project have revealed that the hypothesis was only partly proved. There was no effect in growth or biometry after either CLA or TTA supplementation in any of the fish species investigated. Additionally, there were few physiologically significant effects on fat levels on fish as a result of TTA or CLA administration. However, there were a number of effects on fatty acid metabolism including inhibition of steroyl coenzyme desaturase (SCD) in cod and trout in particular and also enhancement of hepatic n-3 HUFA levels in trout. Importantly, it was determined that both TTA and CLA could be incorporated into the flesh thus providing a vehicle through which these bioactive fatty acids can be delivered to the consumer. There were also a number of beneficial effects on activity and gene expression of a number of enzymes and transcription factors thought to be fundamental to the modulation of fatty acid oxidation in particular. However, the effects on gene transcription and biochemistry had little impact at the whole body level. This research work also showed that there were no detrimental effects on immune status after supplementation with dietary CLA or TTA. Conclusively, this thesis has contributed to the overall understanding of the influence of dietary CLA and TTA in farmed fish.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

Darbo objektas: Ryšys tarp laisvalaikiu besimankštinančių asmenų kūno masę keičiančių maisto papildų vartojimo, mankštinimosi motyvacijos ir nerimo dėl socialinio išvaizdos priėmimo. Tyrimo problema: Yra atlikta daug tyrimų, kurie analizuoja maisto papildų paplitimą tarp paauglių ir studentų, tačiau trūksta tyrimų su laisvalaikiu besimankštinančiais sporto ar sveikatingumo centruose suaugusiais. Nėra atlikta tyrimų, kurie ieškotų ryšių tarp laisvalaikiu besimankštinančių suaugusiųjų maisto papildų vartojimo, motyvacinių mechanizmų ir nerimo dėl socialinio išvaizdos priėmimo lyties ir amžiaus aspektu. Tikslas: Nustatyti ryšį tarp mankštinimosi motyvacijos, nerimo dėl socialinio išvaizdos priėmimo bei kūno masę keičiančių maisto papildų vartojimo dažnio sveikatingumo centruose besimankštinančių imtyje. Uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti mankštinimosi motyvaciją, nerimą dėl socialinio išvaizdos priėmimo bei maisto papildų vartojimo dažnį lyties ir amžiaus grupėse tarp sveikatingumo centruose besimankštinančių asmenų. 2. Nustatyti ryšį tarp mankštinimosi motyvacijos, nerimo dėl socialinio išvaizdos priėmimo bei maisto papildų vartojimo lyties ir amžiaus grupėse tarp sveikatingumo centruose besimankštinančių asmenų. 3. Nustatyti, kurie kintamieji reikšmingai prognozuoja kūno masę keičiančių maisto papildų vartojimą lyties ir amžiaus aspektais. Hipotezės: 1. Išorinė motyvacija yra susijusi su dažnesniu kūno masę keičiančių papildų vartojimu. 2. Didesnis nerimas dėl socialinio... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Object of the study: relation between exercise motivation of people who exercise in the wellness centers, social physic anxiety and the use of supplements that change body. Research problem: There are many researches on the use of dietary supplement in the teenagers and students groups; however, few of them are carried out in the adults groups, which exercising in their free time in sports or health centres. Also, there are no researches on analysis of relation between the use of supplements of the adults who exercise at their leisure, exercise motivation and social physique anxiety. Aim: To assess relationship between exercise motivations, social physique anxiety and frequency use of supplements that change body weight of people who exercise in the wellness centers. Objectives: 1. To assess exercise motivation, social physique anxiety and frequency use of supplements in the gender and age groups of people who exercise at their leisure. 2. To assess relation between exercise motivations, social physique anxiety and frequency use of supplements in the gender and age groups of people who exercise at their leisure. 3. To assess factors that most significantly forecast the use of dietary supplements from the age and gender aspects. Hypotheses: 1. External motivation increases use of dietary supplements that change body weight. 2. High social physique anxiety level is related to higher use of dietary supplements. Conclusions: 1. Most evident was intrinsic and... [to full text]

Professional ice hockey players from the International Hockey League (IHL) were asked to complete an 87 item nutrition survey. The survey reviewed sports supplement use, hydration, nutrition beliefs and practices, and asked from whom athletes obtain nutrition information. The survey was available in English and Russian.This study found the nutrition practices of ice hockey players to be similar to those reported of other team sports. The ice hockey players were likely to believe sports nutrition myths, especially those regarding the use of protein and amino acids. In addition, the subjects routinely experimented with sports supplements. The majority of subjects reported having tried new sports supplements at least once per season.Nutrition information sources were most frequently teammates, athletic trainers, and the media. Registered dietitians were not widely reported as a nutrition information resource as the majority of the athletes did not have access to a registered dietitian.Given the nutrition beliefs and practices of the athletes surveyed, it is clear the athletes would benefit from nutrition education specific to the sport of ice hockey. More research is needed to establish actual nutrient intake. Other studies focusing on nutrition knowledge of athletic trainers and other cited nutrition resources would also be beneficial. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Thesis (MNutr)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Omega-3 fatty acids and supplementation is very topical, attracting both public and interest from the industry. Findings from various research studies led a number of authorities to encourage the general population to consume more omega-3. This is the first study of its kind to be conducted in this population. Objective: To determine the current knowledge and trends of omega-3 (n-3) supplementation in parents of children at public primary schools in the City of Cape Town. Design: An observational and analytical and descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to select a minimum of 150 parents from the six (6) randomly selected public primary schools. The schools were then divided into three different living standard measure (LSM) groups. The research questionnaire was made available at the Parent Teachers meetings where all parents had the option to complete the questionnaire anonymously at the meeting. Results: Six hundred and fifty seven (n=657) parents, mostly mothers, with a mean age of 37 years, completed and returned the questionnaires. The mean monthly income (p=0.00, SD=2.63) and the education level (p=0.00, SD=1.37) differed significantly between each of the three LSM groups. Prior to the study, 80.1% of parents (n=526) had heard of omega-3 supplements and overall knowledge of omega-3 was significantly better in this group (p=0.00) when compared to the group that had not heard of omega-3 previously. The overall mean omega-3 knowledge score for the three LSM groups (n=657) was 71%. The high and low LSM groups differed significantly in terms of omega-3 knowledge (p=0.02), but not statistically significantly once adjusted for income and education level (p=0.75). The main sources of information, where all parents (n=526) indicated having heard of omega-3 supplements, was from television (n = 230, 35%), books (n= 220, 33.5%) and the health worker (n=199, 30.3%). A total of 38.5% (n=253) of parents indicated that they gave their children omega-3 supplements. The overall omega-3 knowledge was significantly better (p=0.00) in parents who gave their children omega-3 supplements than the group that did not give supplements to their children. Income and the education level differed between all three LSM groups for those giving their children omega-3 supplements, but these variables did not influence the choice to give omega-3 supplements. Doctors (n=58, 22.9%) and the parents’ own decision (n=60, 23.7%) to supplement were the most favoured sources of recommendation indicated overall. Most parents indicated that the omega-3 supplement they administered was from a marine source (n=105, 41.5%). Only 35.2% (n=89) of parents giving omega-3 supplements indicated they knew the dose they were administering. Most of the children (n=90) were taking 500 mg omega-3 supplements daily. Conclusions and Recommendations: Statistically significant differences existed between the three LSM groups regarding various aspects of omega-3 knowledge and the sources from which parents had been informed and those who gave their children omega-3 supplements. Recommendations include education and public health programs supplying information to parents on omega-3 supplementation, as well as on omega-3 in the children’s diets. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Omega-3 vetsure en supplementasie is ‘n baie aktuele onderwerp, wat beide die belangstelling van die publiek en industrie betrek. Bevindinge van verskeie navorsingstudies het daartoe gelei dat verskeie instansies die algemene publiek aanmoedig om meer omega-3 in te neem. Dit is die eerste studie van sy soort wat in dié populasie groep gedoen is. Doelwit: Om die huidige kennis en tendensies/neigings in omega-3(n-3) supplementasie in ouers van kinders by publieke laerskole in die stad Kaapstad te bepaal. Ontwerp:’n Waarnemende- en en analitiese en beskrywende- dwarsdeursnitstudie is gedoen. Metode: Daar is gebruik gemaak van ‘n doelgerigte steekproefneming om ‘n minimum van 150 ouers uit ses (6) ewekansig geseleteerde publieke laerskole van uit te kies. Die skole is in drie verskillende lewenstandaardgroepe (LSM) verdeel. Die navorsingsvraelys is by ‘n Ouer-Onderwyservergadering beskikbaar gestel en alle ouers het ‘n geleentheid gehad om die vraelys anoniem by die vergadering te voltooi. Resultate: Seshonderd sewe-en-vyftig (n=657) ouers, meestel moeders, met ‘n gemiddelde ouderdom van 37 jaar, het die vraelyste voltooi en teruggegee. Die gemiddelde maandlikse inkomste (p=0.00, SD=2.63) en vlak van opvoeding (p=0.00, SD=1.37) het noemensvaardig tussen elk van die drie LSM groepe verskil. Voor die studie het 80.1% van die ouers (n=526) al van omega-3 supplemente gehoor en die algehele kennis van die groep was beduidend beter (p=0.00) as die groep wat voorheen nie van omega-3 gehoor het nie. Die gemiddelde algehele omega-3 kennistelling vir die drie LSM groepe was 71%. Die hoë en lae LSM groepe het beduidend ten opsigte van omega-3 kennis (p=0.02) verskil, maar nie statisties- beduidend wanneer dit vir inkomste en opvoedingsvlak (p=0.75) aangepas is nie. Die hoofbronne van inligting waar al die ouers (n=526) wat aangedui het dat hulle van omega-3 supplementasie gehoor het, was deur televisie (n=230, 35%), boeke (n=220, 33.5%) en die gesondheidswerker (n=199, 30.3%). ‘n Totaal van 38.5% (n=253) ouers het aangedui dat hulle hul kinders omega-3 supplemente gee. Die algehele omega-3 kennis van ouers wie hulle kinders omega-3 supplemente gee was statisties beduidend beter (p=0.00) in vergelyking met die groep wat nie supplemente vir hulle kinders gee nie. Die inkomste en opvoedingsvlak het verskil tussen all drie LSM groepe wat hulle kinders omega-3 supplementasie gegee het, maar hierdie veranderlikes het nie die keuse om omega-3 supplemente te gee beïnvloed nie. Mediese dokters (n=58, 22.9%) en die ouer se eie besluit (n=60 23.7%) om te supplementeer, was die gunsteling bronne van aanbeveling in die algemeen. Die meeste ouers het aangedui dat die omega-3 supplement wat hulle gegee het van ‘n visbron afkomstig (n=105, 41.5%) is. Net 35.2% (n=89) van die ouers wat omega-3 supplemente gee het aangedui dat hulle die dosis kenwat hulle gee. Meeste van die kinders (n=90) het 500mg omega-3 supplemente daagliks gekry. Gevolgtrekking en aanbevelings: Statistiese beduidende verskille is tussen die drie LSM groepe ten opsigte van verskeie aspekte van omega-3 kennis en bronne waaruit ouers ingelig is, sowel as die ouers wie hulle kinders omega-3 supplemente gegee het, gevind. Aanbevelings sluit opvoeding en publieke gesondheidsprogramme in, wat inligting aan ouers sal verskaf oor omega-3 supplementasie sowel as omega-3 in die kinders se diëte.

The thesis aimed at finding out whether parents of toddlers with delayed psychomotor development undergoing curative spa stays administer food supplements, their reasons for administering them and what kinds and how often food supplements are administered. Eating habits of these children were looked into as well. Children with polio and central infantile hypotonic syndrome took part in the research. Quantitative research method using an anonymous questionnaire was employed for data collection. Altogether, there were 50 respondents. The results showed that 72 % (n=36) of parents already administered their children food supplements at such an early age. The most frequent motive for this was to strengthen the immune system. Vitamin supplements counted among the most frequently administered supplements in the sample. Furthermore, the research showed that not even the food composition of children in the sample was ideal. The results proved that it is highly desirable to pursue nutrition education of parents of children with neurological handicaps and chiefly also assure higher awareness of food supplements. Key words: dietary supplements, nutrition, toddler period, delayed psychomotor development, vitamins, cerebral palsy

Made available in DSpace on 2014-09-24T12:59:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) 69631.pdf: 1610461 bytes, checksum: b939dc7b13606573ddae6593655ab049 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Nacional de Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira. Departamento de Ensino. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e da Mulher. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. / Introdução: Os aditivos multicomponentes foram desenvolvidos com o objetivo de adequar o aporte de nutrientes do leite humano (LH) oferecido aos prematuros. São compostos por diferentes combinações de proteína, carboidrato, gordura e/ou minerais , em apresentação líquida ou em pó . O bjetivos: Avaliar eficácia e segurança dos aditivos multicomponentes, utilizados como suplemento ao LH, em prematuros com peso de nascimento (PN) ≤ 1500 g ou com idade gestacional (lG) de nascimento ≤ 34 semanas. Comparar o LH suplementado com aditivos ao LH puro ou à fórmula para prematuros (FP) e comparar diferentes aditivos entre si. Métodos: Foi realizada uma Revisão Sistemática da Literatura com M etanálise, via estratégia de busca estruturada, nos bancos de dados The Cochrane Library , Pubmed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Scielo e Lilacs, anais de congressos, listas de referências dos artigos identificados e artigos de revisão relevantes. Buscaram - se metanálises, revisões sistemáticas ou ensaios clínicos controlados (preferencialmente randomizados) que comparassem o LH suplementado com aditivos multicomponentes ao LH puro, à FP ou a outros aditivos e que pr eenchessem critérios de qualidade PRISMA. Os desfechos avaliados foram peso, crescimento linear e perímetro cefálico em curto e longo prazo , desenvolvimento, enterocolite necrosante ( ECN ) , óbito e níveis séricos de cálcio, fósforo e fosfatase alcalina . A s íntese dos resultados foi apresentada como diferença de média e risco relativo (RR) . Resultados: O LH suplementado com aditivo multicomponente levou a maiores taxas de crescimento em curto prazo que o LH puro , sem evidência de aumento no risco de ECN . Não foi demonstrado efeito nos níveis séricos de cálcio, fósforo e fosfatase alcalina. Na comparação entre LH suplementado com aditivo e FP não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos nas taxas de ganho de peso e de aumento de perí metro cefálico . O crescimento linear foi maior nos prematuros alimentados com FP . Os níveis séricos de cálcio e fosfatase alcalina foram maiores e os de fósforo menores no grupo alimentado com LH suplementado com aditivos, porém os valores encontravam - se d entro da normalidade nos dois grupos na maioria dos estudos. Não houve diferença no risco de ECN . Crescimento em longo prazo, desenvolvimento e óbito não puderam ser avaliados em nenhuma das comparações. Na comparação entre diferentes aditivos foi realizad a apenas uma revisão sistemática da literatura , que demonstrou que todos os aditivos multicomponentes levaram a taxas de crescimento satisfatório, com tendência a maior crescimento com os aditivos de maior conteúdo proteico. O risco de ECN foi baixo em tod os os estudos e os níveis séricos de cálcio, fósforo e fosfatase alcalina foram normais na maioria, independente do aditivo utilizado. Conclusão: A fortificação do LH com aditivos multicomponentes está associada à melhora nos parâmetros de crescimento em c urto prazo, comparável ao crescimento observado por prematuros alimentados com FP . Os aditivos são seguro s e não há evidência de que leve m a maior incidência de ECN ou de doença óssea metabólica . A composição ideal dos aditivos ainda precisa ser determinada por mais estudos. / Introduction: The multicomponent fortifiers have been developed to allow an appropriate nutrient in take by premature infants receiving human milk . The y are composed by different combinations of protein, carbohydrates, fat and minerals, in liquid or powder presentation . Objectives: To evaluate efficacy and safety of human milk multicomponent fortifiers i n premature infants with birth weight ≤ 1500 g or gestational age at birth ≤ 34 weeks. To compare fortified human milk to plain human milk , to preterm formulas or to a different fortified human milk. Methods: A s ystematic l iterature r eview with meta - analysis was performed . S earches were made at T he Cochrane Library, Pubmed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Scielo, Lilacs, previous reviews including cross references, abstracts of scientific events and journal hand searching. We searched for meta - analysis, systema tic reviews and controlled trials (especially those with random allocation of patients) comparing fortified human milk with plain human milk, premature formula or different fortifiers that fulfill ed the PRISMA checklist . The outcomes studied were: growth in short and long term (weight, linear growth and head circumference) , necrotizing enterocolitis ( NEC ) , death and serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. Synthesis of data was conducted by relative risk and we ighted mean difference. Results: Fortified human milk le d to higher growth rates in the short term compared with plain human milk, without evidence of increased risk of NEC . There was no effect on serum levels of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatas e. Fortified human milk le d to similar rates of weight gain and increase in head circumference compared to preterm formulas. Linear growth was higher in those fed by preterm formula. Serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase were higher and serum phosphorus w as lower in those patients receiving fortified human milk, but the values were within the normal range in both groups in most studies. There was no difference in the risk of NEC. Long - term growth, development and death could not be evaluated in either comp arison. We only performed a systematic review for the comparison of different fortifiers. This review show ed that a ll multicomponent fortifiers le d to satisfactory growth rates, with a tendency of better growth with the fortifiers with higher protein conte nt. There was a low risk of NEC in all studies. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase were normal in most studies, no matter which fortifier was used. Conclusion: The use of fortified human milk by premature infants is associated wit h better weight gain, linear growth and increase in head circumference in the short term, comparable to the rates of growth observed in preterm infants fed formula. The fortifiers are safe and do not increase the risk of NEC or lead to a higher incidence o f rickets. The ideal composition of fortifiers still needs to be determined by further studies.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-17T15:03:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1056212 bytes, checksum: 97179266e33a5732de310daa2c8a7791 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-10 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Dietary supplements are widely consumed by exercise practitioners and athletes. Researchers have noted the inadequacy of such products, as well as the presence of androgens, increasing suspicion about their true composition. The objective of this research was to list and classify food supplements sold in retail outlets in Joao Pessoa, check the products suitability to existing laws; to analyze the effects in young rats subjected to exercise, caused by the chronic ingestion of supplements widely marketed on: food intake and body weight gain, levels of total testosterone, and body composition (fat percentage and lean mass). In a survey of descriptive and experimental field, at first, we identified the products sold in Joao Pessoa city, represented by pharmacies, specialized stores and supermarkets. We compared the composition and characteristics of supplements labeled with the minimal of composition and quality set by Ordinance 222/98 ANVISA. Products that were not included in the Ordinance were classified among categories according to their composition and/or its market name. In the experimental work, sixty young male Wistar rats were distributed into five groups (n = 12/group) (TC - trained control; SC sedentary control; ST1 supplemented/trained 1; ST2 - supplemented/trained 2; ST3 - supplemented/trained 3). By gavage, ST1, ST2 and ST3 received 2.5g of each supplement and TC and SC got filtered water. Animals weight and food intake were measured weekly. After eight weeks, animals were sacrificed and blood concentration of total testosterone were measured and carcasses fat and protein determination. A total of 945 different products were determined, most of them (43%) considered Foods for Physical Activity Practitioners (FPAP) and 28% of products forbidden in Brazilian market. Among the FPAP, none of them had all the legislation features, mainly because it contains, according to the products labeling, vitamins and minerals excess, or may not show the minimum amount of protein. Considering the studied supplements, 42% showed inadequate designation and 33% showed forbidden expressions. The results of experimental work showed that both exercise and supplementation promoted less weight gain (p<0.05). The exercise did not alter the levels of total testosterone, however, the three supplements promoted reduction of testosterone levels (p <0.001). Fat percentage of ST1, ST2 and ST3 groups showed two times higher than the TC group (p<0.001). TC showed the amount of total body protein higher (p<0.05) than the supplemented groups. The high inadequacy rate, mainly with vitamins and minerals excess and the lower proportion of labeled proteins, demonstrates the need for supplements control according to the law. The suitability assessment allows to see if the supplement or group of supplements containing the nutrients minimum levels to generate their expected impact, either in performance, health or nutrition. The data indicate that chronically supplements caused an increase of adipose tissue, lower gain muscle mass and lower weight gain, mainly because of the decreased secretion of testosterone. Similar results for the three supplements tested support the hypothesis that they contain androgens or their precursors. / Suplementos alimentares têm sido extensamente consumidos por praticantes de exercícios físicos e atletas. Pesquisadores têm observado a inadequabilidade da composição destes produtos, além de detectar a presença de andrógenos, aumentando a suspeita sobre sua verdadeira composição. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi listar e classificar os suplementos alimentares comercializados nos pontos de venda de João Pessoa; verificar a adequabilidade dos produtos à legislação vigente; analisar os efeitos em ratos jovens submetidos a exercício físico, desencadeados pela ingestão crônica de suplementos amplamente comercializados sobre: o consumo alimentar e ganho de peso corporal; níveis de testosterona total; e, composição corporal (percentual de gordura e massa magra). Em uma pesquisa de campo descritiva e experimental, em um primeiro momento, identificou-se os produtos nos pontos de venda da cidade de João Pessoa-PB, representados por farmácias, lojas especializadas e supermercados. Comparou-se a composição e as características rotuladas dos suplementos com os fatores essenciais de composição e qualidade fixadas pela Portaria 222/98 da ANVISA. Os produtos que não se enquadravam na Portaria foram classificados em categorias de acordo com sua composição e/ou sua denominação de mercado. No trabalho experimental, distribuiu-se 60 ratos machos jovens Wistar em cinco grupos (n=12/grupo) (CT controle treinado; CS controle sedentário; ST1 treinado/suplementado 1; ST2 treinado/suplementado 2; ST3 treinado/suplementado 3). Por gavagem, ST1, ST2 e ST3 receberam 2,5g de cada suplemento e CT e CS receberam água filtrada. Semanalmente, registrou-se o peso e o consumo alimentar. Após oito semanas, realizaram-se dosagens de testosterona total e determinação de gordura e proteína das carcaças. Catalogou-se 945 produtos diferentes, a maior parte (43%) considerada Alimentos para Praticantes de Atividade Física (APAF) e 28% de produtos com comercialização proibida no Brasil. Dentre os APAF, nenhum apresentou todas as características exigidas pela legislação, principalmente por conter, de acordo com o rótulo dos produtos, excesso de vitaminas e minerais, ou não apresentar a quantidade mínima de proteínas. Entre os suplementos analisados 42% apresentavam denominação inadequada e 33% apresentaram expressões proibidas. Os resultados do trabalho experimental demonstraram que tanto o exercício como a suplementação promoveram menor ganho de peso (p<0,05). O exercício não alterou os níveis de testosterona total, entretanto, os três suplementos promoveram redução destes níveis (p<0,001). Os grupos ST1, ST2, ST3 apresentaram percentual de gordura duas vezes maior do que o grupo CT (p<0,001). CT apresentou quantidade de proteína corporal total maior (p<0,05) que os suplementados. Considerando-se o alto índice de inadequabilidade, principalmente quanto ao excesso de vitaminas e minerais e à menor proporção de proteínas rotuladas, demonstra-se a necessidade de controle e fiscalização desses produtos. A avaliação da adequabilidade da composição e das características rotuladas permite verificar se o suplemento ou grupo de suplementos contém os nutrientes mínimos para gerar seus efeitos esperados, seja na performance, na saúde ou na nutrição. Os dados encontrados indicam que cronicamente os suplementos causaram aumento de tecido adiposo, menor ganho de massa muscular e menor ganho de peso, provável consequência da menor secreção de testosterona. Os resultados similares para os três grupos reforçam a hipótese de que os suplementos continham andrógenos ou seus precursores.

O Brasil é o segundo país no mundo em número de academias de ginástica, contando atualmente com cerca de 30 mil unidades. Apesar da transição no modelo de gestão e filosofia das academias do fitness para o wellness, muitas ainda propagam em seus ambientes o culto ao corpo magro e atlético, dietas sem fundamentação nutricional e consumo descontrolado de suplementos. Crescem as evidências de que uma parcela significativa dos frequentadores de academias desenvolve um comprometimento exacerbado à prática de exercícios físicos, gerando até uma dependência patológica. O objetivo foi determinar a associação entre dependência de exercício físico (DEF), consumo de suplementos e insatisfação da imagem corporal em frequentadores de academias. Para tanto foi empregada a Escala de Comprometimento com Exercício Físico (CEF) em uma amostra de 227 frequentadores, maiores de 19 anos, de ambos os sexo em três academias. Foi realizada entrevista individual com emprego de anamnese nutricional para determinar o perfil de consumo suplementar, avaliação antropométrica, da imagem corporal, do compromisso ao exercício físico assim como de participação na academia. A frequência de DEF nas academias foi de 66% e sendo que as chances estimadas deste ser consumidor de suplementos de 4,53. Os indivíduos dependentes de exercício físico são jovens, com maior chance de pertencer ao sexo masculino, frequentar a academia > 5 vezes por semana, consumir mais de um tipo de suplemento e praticar musculação. A frequência de insatisfação com a imagem corporal foi alta tanto entre homens (50,9%) como mulheres (78,4%). / Brazil is the second country in number of gym clubs, currently with about 30 thousand units. Despite the transition in the managing model and philosophy of gym clubs from fitness to wellness, many still disseminate the cult of a lean and athletic body, diets without nutritional basis, and uncontrolled consumption of supplements. We have growing evidence that a significant number of individuals going to gym clubs develop an exacerbated commitment to the practice of physical exercises, yielding even pathological dependence. The main goal of our work is to determine the association between exercise dependence (ED), supplements consumption, and dissatisfaction with body image between users of gym clubs. For this purpose we employed the Commitment Exercise Scale (CES) in a sample of 227 gym club users, over 19 years old, from both sexes, in three gym clubs. We used nutritional assesment to determine the profile of supplements consumption, and recorded anthropometrical and exercise engagement data. Frequency of ED in gym clubs was estimated to be 66% with odds ratio of 4.53 favoring supplements consumption. Dependent individuals are on average young, most probably males, attending the gym club more than 5 times a week, consumers of more than on type of supplement, and practitioners of body building. Frequency of body image dissatisfaction is high both between men (50.9%) and women (78.4%).