Ever wonder if your dietary supplements are truly safe, effective and risk-free? If you are a member of the military, this question can be particularly important. Servicemembers often are targeted by companies selling supplements: to help members of the military lose weight, enhance workouts, or be in top shape for battle. If you’re considering using a dietary supplement, you may be aware of some of the potential health risks. But you also might want to know which supplements can be risky for your military career.
To help military service members, the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, launched Operation Supplement Safety – OPSS.org – a resource with articles, videos, and downloadable educational materials. While mostly intended for the military community, anyone can use it – leaders, health care providers, and civilians at the Department of Defense.
OPSS.org has a list of dietary supplement ingredients prohibited by the Department of Defense – which could help servicemembers maintain their mission readiness. There also is a list of high-risk supplements so that servicemembers can avoid using products that may contain stimulants, steroids, hormone-like ingredients, controlled substances, or unapproved drugs. Can’t find the right information on a particular supplement? Use the handy “Ask the Expert” feature to ask questions, and someone will respond with science-based answers.
For more information, visit OPSS.org, and check out this article on dietary supplements, as well as this infographic about dietary supplements.
