What is the definition of a supplement?

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Cairnsman
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What is the definition of a supplement?

Post: # 1297069Post Cairnsman »

Not sure if this has been discussed elsewhere so apologies if it has.

I've noticed that the word "supplement" is being used a lot since the drugs scandal broke. Why is that? Isn't a supplement exactly as the word implies, and isn't it something one takes such as a vitamin because a person is trying to maintain a normal level of that particular vitamin that can't otherwise be produced via food sources alone. And by normal I mean what the health experts consider to be normal and that a supplement just bridges the gap from the below normal level up to the normal level.

If vitamins are being given in a dosage that well exceeds the normal level because it creates other chemicals in the body that are somehow beneficial then isn’t that a different matter altogether and how can that be a supplement.

I also wonder if the word supplement has been introduced into the language to somehow soften the debate and give a sense or meaning of something less sinister than the term “performance enhancing”

As I say, not sure if this has been discussed elsewhere but just asking the question.


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Re: What is the definition of a supplement?

Post: # 1297092Post Eastern »

It all depends on WHAT you are supplementing. If you are supplementing Human Growth Hormones and/or Testosterone you are in BIG trouble. If you are supplementing vitamins you still need to be VERY CAREFUL. Food supplements are generally Okay.

Any supplements that are injected should have alarm bells ringing. Any supplements that are injected into the stomach and/or are administered off-site is simply asking for trouble !!


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Re: What is the definition of a supplement?

Post: # 1297163Post Dan Warna »

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/crook ... 2e3ju.html
interesting article on WHO is selling to Essendon.


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Re: What is the definition of a supplement?

Post: # 1297239Post felix »

From abc
Australian athletes have been turning to a "new generation" of banned substances to get the edge over their opponents, according to today's Australian Crime Commission report.

The report says hormones and peptides, such as growth hormone releasing hexapeptide (GHRP), are being used by athletes across Australia's major codes.

On top of that, Google searches for GHRP are much more common in Australia than in the US or UK.

"Peptides and hormones are considered a new generation of substances and most are prohibited in sport," Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority chief Aurora Andruska said.

"In many instances, the substances are not yet approved for human use."

Former ASADA head Richard Ings says peptides and other hormones can be very hard to detect.

"These are very serious performance enhancing drugs and at the moment they're very hard to detect through testing so at the moment the only way to determine that athletes are using them is through coercive powers," he said today.

But how much do you know about the substances like GHRP, pig brain extract, and the other weapons in the dopers' chemical arsenal?

Growth hormone releasing peptides

Peptides are short chains of amino acids and are the building blocks for protein.

They occur naturally in the body but can also be taken in supplement form.

Web searches for GHRP

Web searches for growth hormone releasing hexapeptide (GHRP) have been growing worldwide and are much more common in Australia than in the United States or the United Kingdom, Google Trends data suggests.
View interactive charts
Some peptide supplements are legal, and work similarly to protein supplements to help the body recover from strenuous activity.

However, there are also a variety of peptides that encourage the body to release growth hormones.

These type of peptides stimulate muscular growth with fewer side effects than anabolic steroids.

They are sold either as a cream or in a solution for injection.

The ACC report notes that various types of growth hormone releasing peptides, including hexapeptides like GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, are being used.

The report notes that these type of peptides are also used in combination with anabolic steroids to maintain muscle gains.

From an anti-doping perspective, the ability to detect the use of growth hormone releasing peptides is complex, as the substances are rapidly metabolised.

Growth hormone releasing peptides are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Growth hormone variants

The ACC report identified the use of Australian-owned growth hormone variant AOD-9604 in sport.

The protein-based hormone helps burn fat and stimulates weight loss, though does not necessarily enhance muscle strength.

Clinical trials have suggested it also helps repair muscle and tissue after strenuous activity.

AOD-9604, used as a cream or injected in liquid form, is not prohibited by WADA but is also not approved for human use.

Selective androgen receptor modulators

Naturally, testosterone binds to a cellular receptor called the androgen before travelling to the cell's nucleus.

Like anabolic steroids, SARMs work by stimulating the androgen receptor, boosting the uptake of testosterone into cells.

SARMs have similar effects to anabolic steroids - improving strength, bone density and muscle mass - but reportedly with fewer side-effects.

Anabolic steroids can cause acne, the development of male characteristics in females and baldness, infertility and breast tissue development in males.

The ACC report notes that the use of SARMs by elite athletes has been well documented since 2008.

SARMs, injected or used as a cream, are on WADA's prohibited list.

Insulin-like growth factors

Insulin-like growth factors (IFG-1) are one of the primary hormones needed for cell growth.

They are produced in the liver and are similar to insulin.

They are known for their anabolic effects during childhood growth, but remain active into adulthood.

When tested on animals, IFG-1 was found to promote new cell growth and muscle repair, heal tendon injuries and produce rapid increases in muscle mass and strength.

While there are no scientific tests of its impact on humans, the hormone's anabolic effects are believed to increase muscle, aid recovery, reduce fat and boost endurance.

The ACC report says many players will use IGF-1 in small doses to reduce the chances of returning a positive anti-doping test.

IFG-1, which is injected in liquid form, is on WADA's prohibited list.

Mechano growth factor

Mechano growth factor, which is injected in liquid form, is a variant of the IFG-1 hormone.

It is released naturally in response to muscle stretching and exercise, particularly weight training.

It stimulates stem cells to become part of the muscle tissue, and thus can produce fast increases in muscle mass and strength.

Mechano growth factor is on WADA's prohibited list, and it is illegal to possess the hormone without a prescription.

Untested substances

The ACC report also identifies the use of a variety of substances that are not approved for human use.

While not prohibited by WADA, their use is considered experimental and "off-label" because there is a lack of long-term clinical studies on the long-term impact of their use.

The substances include:

Cerebrolysin: a peptide extract from pig brain which is used to treat Alzheimer's and stroke victims. It is said to improve cognitive and behavioural performance by enhancing the function of neurons.
Actovegin: A filtered extract from amino-rich calf blood which leads to improved absorption of glucose and oxygen in tissue. It may enhance physical performance and stamina.
AOD-9604: An anti-obesity drug which mimics the effects of exercise and is currently going through human clinical trials. The Australian-developed drug is designed to replicate the human growth hormone that controls the rate of fat metabolism.
TA-65: A drug which acts on a section of the DNA and reportedly reduces ageing at the cellular level. It is said to work by targeting telomeres, which are sequences that protect the ends of chromosomes during DNA replication. Telomeres become shorter every time a cell divides, and TA-65 reportedly helps lengthen them, possibly slowing ageing .


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Re: What is the definition of a supplement?

Post: # 1297240Post felix »

In 20 years time the general population may well have access to these peptides and we will probably wonder what all the fuss was about. bigger stronger longer younger. The next eveloutionary phase .


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Re: What is the definition of a supplement?

Post: # 1297258Post saintspremiers »

felix wrote:In 20 years time the general population may well have access to these peptides and we will probably wonder what all the fuss was about. bigger stronger longer younger. The next eveloutionary phase .
Unless they also stimulate the growth and/or production of cancer cells, that naturally occur in the body.

This is a good enough reason not to use fully tested drugs if you need an excuse....


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Re: What is the definition of a supplement?

Post: # 1297383Post matrix »

1
something added to complete a thing, supply a deficiency, or reinforce or extend a whole.
2.
a part added to a book, document, etc., to supply additional or later information, correct errors, or the like.
3.
a part, usually of special character, issued as an additional feature of a newspaper or other periodical.
4.
Geometry . the quantity by which an angle or an arc falls short of 180° or a semicircle.

verb (used with object)
5.
to complete, add to, or extend by a supplement.
6.
to form a supplement or addition to.
7.
to supply (a deficiency).

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/supplement


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