Knowledge, Prevalence, and Consequences of Dietary Supplements Intake Among Iranian Bodybuilders
August 2024
in “
Current Developments in Nutrition
”
Studysummary This study found that fitness coaches and registered dietitians/nutritionists were the primary sources of information for bodybuilders, who showed moderate nutrition knowledge, while gender, exercise history, and sessions impacted dietary supplement use, and reported adverse effects included skin rashes and increased liver enzymes.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The study on 160 Iranian bodybuilders found that dietary supplements (DS), particularly vitamins C, D, and whey protein, are widely used, with 56.25% of participants regularly consuming them. The primary motivations for DS use were performance enhancement and increased exercise demands, while non-use was often due to a belief in a balanced diet's sufficiency and health risk concerns. Despite moderate nutritional knowledge, many bodybuilders experienced side effects such as skin rashes, increased liver enzymes, and hair loss. The study identified significant relationships between DS use and factors like gender, bodybuilding history, and exercise frequency, but not with age or education. It underscores the need for improved nutritional education and regulation to mitigate health risks associated with unsupervised DS use.
