Essentials of Nutrition for Sports

Herbal Concerns

(^) New Hope is a natural products industry trade and consumer
publications company. It provides “integrated market solutions,” runs trade shows, and operates onlin
e trade and consumer websites.
At one of it annual conferences, a roundtable discussion of some
of the industry’s problem products took place.
Here is a list of controvers
ial products mentioned in the
roundtable as reported by Rob McCa
leb, President, Herb Research
Foundation.
30

-^

Beta carotene—the recent report by NIH that it doesn’t help and may increase cancer risk (in smokers) is raising questions among consumers. The weight of evidence seems to support this antioxidant, and there are serious questions about the study, which combined beta carotene with vitamin A (retinol) at toxic levels, then gave it to smokers who are already at risk. Nature provides vitamin A (in fruits and vegetables) in the form of 90% beta carotene, and at lower doses th

an those used in the study.

-^

Chaparral—implicated as a liver toxin, but without strong evidence. Reported cases of human toxicity are complicated and rare, no liver toxic compounds have been identified, and the FDA, which has done some feeble testing with cultured liver cells but no classic toxicology testing, has been unable to come up with compelling evidence of harm.

-^

Chromium picolinate—widely sold in diet and muscle-building products. Does it work? It is an “insulin potentiator” which may improve some metabolic factors, but needs more research.

-^

Cleansing programs—many are based on stimulant laxatives, which can be habit-forming. The

concept that we need to use

laxatives to “clean out” is controversial.

-^

Comfrey—contains liver toxins called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Some feel it is safe for most people, others see no point in taking any risk if other herbs can offer similar benefits. Roots have more alkaloid than leaves, and young leaves more than older leaves.

-^

Ephedra—after over 5,000 years of human use, the herb is controversial because of abuse in diet and energy products and the use of strong concentrates in products. Some products contain synthetic ephedrine, just like asthma drugs.

-^

Evening Primrose Oil / Black Currant Oil—are sources of the fatty acid gamma linoleic acid or GLA, beneficial to the cardiovascular system and reportedly effective for PMS and inflammatory conditions. FDA trie

d to claim that they were

“unsafe food additives” but never had a shred of evidence of harm. The Agency lost (badly and repeatedly) in court.

-^

Germanium—rose to popularity, and then declined as cases of toxicity were reported. Germanium is only healthful in very low doses.

-^

Grape seed extract / Pine bark extract / “Pycnogenol”—are confusing to consumers. What are the differences? Is one better? Grape seed extract predominates

in the European market, while

pine bark extract is stronger in the USA, probably because of better marketing.

-^

Hemp—more products are appearing using the seed oil, which lacks the intoxicating components of the plant, also known as marijuana. No toxicity concerns, but the plant is controversial for obvious reasons.

30 http://www.herbs.org/greenpapers/controv.html

. Accessed 10-17-2004.

Nutrition for Sports, Essentials of 152