Supplements

The past several months I've realized that conversations at the gym have diverged from talking about what workout routine someone is trying and has now lead to what supplement(s) they are trying. Over the past two decades going to they gym has become a common practice, however for a certain percentage of gym patrons so has taking supplements. These supplements range from protien, weight-gainer, kreatine, growth hormone, glutamine, meal replacements, fat burners, steroids, energy-boosters and the many more that I am forgetting. The use, availability, and advertisement of all these various products effects anyone who has thought of lifting weights or simply to lose a few pounds. The fact is that none, absolutely none of these supplements have been tested or regulated by the FDA. From the most simple protein all the way to your legal low-dosage growth hormone, none of these products have been scrutinized for their possible side effects both short-term and long-term. Getting any of these products is as easy as ever. Any local mall has a Vitamin Worl or GNC, both of which carry any of the above products. Online is even worse; you can go to any workout oriented website and find authors who endorse these products. At the same time these websites that widely regarded for the quality of information they provide (for free) also fall victim to showcasing some of these products. It all comes down to business; they provide a free service but at the same time want to make money off of the products they endorse and/or sell. The next 20-30 years will dictate on how our society will handle this issue, since that is when all the users and abusers of such products will come to light with all their medical issues.