Supplementation prevalence and adverse effects in physical exercise practitioners.
BACKGROUND
The use of nutritional supplements is prevalent among physical exercise practitioners and some adverse effects have been reported, however not sufficiently substantial, because they originate from isolated cases.


OBJECTIVE
Investigate nutritional supplements consumption prevalence and adverse effects of the use of such products.


METHODS
An epidemiological, representative and transversal study, with 180 physical exercise practitioners in gyms, who answered questionnaires about sports supplementation, associated factors and self-perceived adverse effects. In a subsample of 86 individuals, blood pressure was measured and blood was collected for the evaluation of lipid profile markers, hepatic and renal function.


RESULTS
The supplementation prevalence level was 58.3%, whereas the physicians and nutritionists indicated only 21.9%. The reported adverse effects were observed only by supplement users (acne, insomnia, aggressiveness, headaches and tachycardia). Systolic blood pressure was higher in the supplemented group when compared to the control group (p = 0.04), as in the subgroup of thermogenic users (p < 0.0001) and among those who had consumed any type of supplementation for over 2 years (p = 0.005). Serum creatinine levels were higher only in the subgroup of carbohydrates when compared to the control group (p = 0.03). Diastolic blood pressure, lipid profile and hepatic function did not present differences between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of nutritional supplements without specialized orientation was elevated among physical exercise practitioners, being associated to adverse effects both by the users themselves and by clinical diagnosis.
Department of Physical Education. Health Sciences Center. Federal University of Paraíba. João Pessoa. PB. Brazil.. alexandresergiosilva@yahoo.com.br.
Walkíria Valeriano
WV
da Silva
Maria Irene
MI
de Andrade Gomes Silva
Luciana
L
Tavares Toscano
Klébya Hellen
KH
Dantas de Oliveira
Lavoisiana Mateus
LM
de Lacerda
Alexandre
A
Sérgio Silva
D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
D008055:Lipids