FOR RELEASE:

(Stillwater) – Many athletes look to dietary supplements including herbs to improve their health and athletic performance.

Herbs have been used for centuries for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. In fact, many common medications have been developed from herbs. Thus, herbs can act as drug, and like drugs, herbs can also pose potential side effects or interact with foods or medications.

Herbs contain hundreds of phytochemicals. Flavonoids, phenols, saponins, and terpenes are some of the phytochemicals believed to be the active ingredients in herbs. The mixture of phytochemicals, some known and some unknown, in whole herbs are believed to account for the function of herbs.

Herbs and other dietary supplements do not have to meet the same standards as foods and beverages. Prescription and over-the-counter medications are required to meet even higher standards of safety and effectiveness. In the United States, herbs are regulated as dietary supplements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a part of the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act.

Herbs and other dietary supplements are not required to be standardized. As a result, there is little consistency between different batches of products from different manufacturers. This makes it difficult to know what is contained in a given herbal product.

Although herbs have a long history of use and it is possible some herbs may have benefits, scientifically valid, double-blind, placebo-controlled research on herbs for health and enhancing athletic performance is limited.

In addition, because herbs often contain potent natural chemicals, there is the potential for herbs to interact with foods and medications. This makes it difficult when trying to weigh the potential benefits and safety risks of herbs or dietary supplements.

Although there is insufficient scientific research to support claims regarding herbs and athletic performance, many herbs are marketed to athletes for enhancing athletic performance, improving immunity or for other health benefits.

As a result, athletes need to be extremely careful about using herbal products containing unknown amounts of unknown chemicals for unknown benefits with the possibility of harmful side effects.

More research is needed on the role of herbs with health, athletic performance, and their safety and efficacy. Until research is forthcoming, athletes are best advised to avoid unproven herbal treatments.

If athletes do incorporate herbs into their overall performance plan working with a health care professional to monitor potential side effects and interactions is strongly recommended. In addition, athletes are recommended to seek out reputable and truthful information to support or refute claims, ensure herbal products are safe, confirm the product contains the recommended amounts of active ingredients, and determine appropriate dosage.

Prepared by:

Janice Hermann, Ph.D., R.D/L.D.

Nutrition Education Specialist

301 HES/NSCI

Cooperative Extension Service

Stillwater, OK 74078-6111

Phone (405) 744-4601

Fax (405) 744-1357

janice.hermann@okstate.edu