Super Supplements or Scary Supplements: Consumers are the Judge

While doing my usual read-through of the headlines on USA Today, I recently came across an article about a USA Today investigation examining the works of Matt Cahill, a supplement designer with a dark history in developing risky products. As an individual who tries to maintain a healthy lifestyle and enjoys working out, the findings of this investigation made me question the supplements I have been using. As most people who do, I take supplements (ie vitamins, protein powder, fish oil) to enhance my diet with nutrients and help me maximize the benefits gained from hitting the gym. However, as I have come to learn from this article we the consumers need to be proactive in determining and choosing supplements that are safe to take.

Throughout his 12 year career in developing supplements, Matt Cahill has thrived in the $30 billion supplement industry. However, the success was gained through selling controversial products and accompanied by criminal charges related to selling dangerous supplements. In 2002 an intentional overdose of a weight lose supplement sold by Cahill’s company caused the death of a 17 year old girl. Results of an FDA investigation showed that the dietary supplement contained DNP, a highly toxic chemical used in explosives and pesticides and a chemical that FDA had determined to be unsafe for human use under any condition in 1938. Further investigation showed that Mr. Cahill had posed as an owner of a landscaping business in order to obtain the chemical for his pills. Cahill was sentenced two years in federal correctional facilities for distributing the drug but was not charged in the death of the young woman. ¹

One run in with federal authorities did not prevent Matt Cahill for starting another venture in the supplement business. In 2004, Cahill released another of his risky supplements, Superdrol, through his new company. The supplement was a designer steroid that contained a compound that was not previously used in humans and was found to cause significant liver damage. Through a clever licensing agreement, Cahill escaped the consequences of creating the lethal supplement. ¹

The recent supplement concoction created by Cahill causing headlines is called Craze. Craze is a pre-workout formula launched in 2011 by Cahill’s once again new company that has gained much popularity and acclaim. In fact Bodybuilding.com named Craze the New Supplement of the Year for its ability to stimulate users and provide them with “endless energy.” Although denied by Cahill’s company, the controversy behind craze is the positive test results for amphetamine and amphetamine related products found by the US Anti-Doping Agency in June 2012 and similarly by the Swedish National Laboratory of Forensic Science in April of 2013. Despite all the controversy surrounding Cahill and Craze, this supplement continues its popularity amongst the bodybuilding community. ¹

As someone working in the medical device field tightly regulated by the FDA, my first question is how someone like Cahill can continue to sell harmful and dangerous supplements to the public without stern action for the FDA? Nutritional and Dietary Supplements such as Cahill’s products that allow users to gain muscle, lose weight, or experience a boost in energy are not considered drugs but rather supplements and as a result do not require approval or testing by the FDA before entering the market. In order to be considered a supplement, the compounds present need to be natural, however the enforcement of such a classification does not appear to be very stringent. Daniel Fabricant, the Director of the FDA’s Dietary Supplement Division, explains that in order for the FDA to intervene in the distribution of such supplements, they must demonstrate that the supplements are unsafe for human use under all conditions and such a requirement is a scientific burden for the FDA. ¹

As a result, ultimately it becomes the consumer’s responsibility to be the judge and choose supplements that are safe to use. Unfortunately for us, there may be more supplement developers like Matt Cahill whose risky supplements have yet to be discovered or identified. I suggest doing your background research before heading down to your local nutritional store and picking up supplements. Stick to supplements that you know are natural and have reputations as safe and beneficial. Feel free to consult your physician or nutritionist to make sure. In today’s health crazed society there is pressure to maintain a certain physical appearance, however it is important to note that there are no shortcuts. There is no such thing as pill that will give the 6 pack you have always desired while sitting on the couch. Don’t fall for radical claims of supplements, improving one’s health is not an overnight process it naturally takes time and dedication.

At the end of the day just remember that your efforts in hitting the gym, maintaining proper nutrition, and enhancing your diet with supplements is all to improve your overall health, not to hinder it, so don’t take the risk by taking questionable supplements.

-Suyesh

¹ Young, Allison. "Sports Supplement Designer Has History of Risky Products." USA Today. Gannett, 25 July 2013. Web. 31 July 2013