[Doczilla]

To echo mdb23's comments, there is so much weight room voodoo out there that is propagated without any input from legitimate medical folks that it comes as no surprise that our officers and operators are using this shit. If a study comes out showing potential benefit of a supplement in one narrow area of performance, then these snake oil salesmen are more than happy to extrapolate that to all areas of performance. The magazines propagate the myths through articles on the supplements from authors with supposedly neutral interest in the topic, while raking in the advertising dollars.

It's up to us as team docs and medics to give them GOOD information, based on sound evidence, that allows them to maximize performance and minimize risk of illness or injury as a result of improper training supplement use.

Regarding meal replacement powders/etc to maintain or gain weight, there are plenty of nutritionally balanced and well-studied supplements. Carnation Instant Breakfast (milk based) is just fine. Ensure (corn), Boost, Jevity, and Glucerna (for diabetics) are all equally good; balanced sources of protein, carbohydrate, and fats without unnecessary crap supplements in them. Several have fiber, increased protein, or fructoligosaccharides as well for specific dietary needs.

Slim Fast powders are also a good balanced source of calories. I was wary of them at first, fearing some stimulant or appetite suppressant additives, but after detailed review of their ingredients, as well as conversations with the company, they have none.

'zilla