Article Display

Supplement ingredient awareness

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan Bass
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  A potentially dangerous ingredient in some dietary supplements has reared its ugly head once again.

The Food and Drug Administration linked the ingredient, 1,3-dimethylamylamine (die-methel-amee-lah-mean), commonly known as DMAA, to shortness of breath and even heart attacks in users.

"It's a man-made product," said Janine Reinholtz, 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Health Promotion registered dietician. "Companies claim it's a natural compound found in geranium oil, however that's not been verified in laboratory analysis."

More than 40 products tested contain DMAA according to the Human Performance Research Center.

"It's hard to remember that supplements are not regulated like medications, so we really don't know what's hidden in them," said Capt. Kimberly Brewer, 20th Medical Operations Squadron clinical nurse. "You honestly don't know what you're getting in some cases. Ever wondered what's really in the 'proprietary blends' you see in supplements? There's a limit on the amount of information they have to give you."

The HPRC recommends carefully reading the "fine print" on dietary supplements before purchase or use. For a complete list of supplements which use DMAA as an ingredient, visit: www.hprc-online.org.