Glutamine
Not banned. No effect on performance or weight loss. Role in immune function, if any, is being investigated. See discussion under protein, at
hletic considerations, on page
63
.
Not recommended.
Glycerol
Not banned. Glycerol, a three-carbon molecule, forms the backbone of
triglycerides. It may also act to
increase hydration, but so does a little
extra salt in the diet.
Studies have had mixed results, mostly negative. Cramping and
weight gain are side effects.
Not recommended.
Guarana
Not banned. In a word, caffeine. Guarana is the dried paste of the crushed
seeds of
Paullinia cupana
, a vine cultivated extensively in Brazil.
Sounds exotic—it is about as exotic as Brazilian coffee beans. Its active ingredient is guaranine, another name for caffeine.
Would you buy an energy bar that contained caffeine? Maybe,
maybe not. At least you would see the label, know what you were getting, and how much.
Not recommended.
Herbs and Exotic Compounds—”Adaptogens”
Some are banned. With herbs, it is difficult to know exactly what you are ingesting.
If they have an important pharmacological action for athletes, it is usually because they contain a known substance, perhaps banned.
Guarana is caffeine. Ma huang is ephedrine, a stimulant. These substances have been found in bishop’s tea, Brigham tea, chi powder, Energy Rise, Ephedra Exel, joint fir, Mexican tea, Mormon tea, popotillo, squaw tea, Super
Charge, and Teamster’s Tea.
Many herbal products have diuretic actions—they increase the
kidneys action to produce more urine. Herbs with diuretic actions include horsetail, lily of the valle
y, saw palmetto, sarsaparilla, and
uva ursi.
Many popular energy bars a
nd products contain these banned
substances. Many products with the words Charge, Pep, Rocket, Thunder, or Turbo contain these substances.
Many herbs marketed for their ergogenic properties have no
known studies demonstrating any effect. This applies, for example, to ginseng.
Not recommended.
Human Growth Hormone
Banned. Prescription. Used for its anabolic effects. Growth hormone increases body
mass and decreases body fat. It may not increase strength. Side effects include swelling, joint and muscle aches, diabetes, and when used with anabolic steroids, heart enlargement.
Avoid.
Hydroxymethyl
butarate—HMB
Banned by some sports organizations including the NCAA. Purported to spare protein, HMB is a proprietary product (sold
by a company with a patent). There is little evidence of any effectiveness in trained athletes.
Several studies have found no help in strength training.
Nutrition for Sports, Essentials of 118
