Dangers of popping pills for performance Published Oct. 19, 2006 By Senior Airman John Gordinier 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Supplements can help achieve weight and performance goals for some, but even the use of approved supplements requires caution and monitoring. Many commercially available dietary and herbal supplements, including some allowed under Air Force rules, may have harmful potential side effects, said Tech. Sgt Tedisha Baker, 20th Aeromedical-Dental Squadron Health and Wellness Center flight chief. They can cause increased heart rates and palpitations, rapid breathing, light-headedness and exhaustion. "There have also been documented cases of death due to dietary supplements," said Capt. Steven Indra, 55th Fighter Squadron flight surgeon. All members using or planning to use any supplement should discuss it with a qualified health care provider, Sgt. Baker said. Supplements may contain dangerous and illegal substances, because they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, Capt. Indra said. The FDA has to prove that a supplement is harmful to remove it from the market, unlike prescription medications, which have to be proven safe before they enter the market. Airmen should know, just like illegal drugs, there are consequences for using illegal supplements as well. According to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the Air Force does not allow the use of testosterone, testosterone derivatives, hemp or hemp oil products. The FDA banned the sale of products containing Ephedrine Alkaloids April 14, 2004. Since then, the FDA's decision to ban Ephedrine Alkaloid products was upheld by a Supreme Court decision Aug. 17, 2006. The sale of such products is now illegal, Sgt. Baker said. Although not an inclusive list, some ingredient names that indicate the presence of Ephedrine Alkaloids include: Ephedra, Ma Huang, Ephedrine, Ephedra Sinica, Sida Cordifolia, Pinellia and epitonin, she said. "The most important thing to remember is to check with your health care provider before starting any supplement," Sgt. Baker said. For more information about illegal supplements, go to www.fda.gov or http://dietary-supplements.info.nih. gov.