Question 1

Which of following forms the basis for the government's regulation of dietary supplements?

Accepted Answer

The 1994 DSHEA and the 2007 Current Good Manufacturing Practices regulations dictate the government's approach to supplements.

Question 2

Which of the following correctly characterizes an adulterated substance?

Accepted Answer

A supplement is considered adulterated, or unsafe, if it or one of its ingredients presents a "significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury" when used as directed, or under normal conditions. It may also be considered adulterated if too little information is known about the risk of an unstudied ingredient.

Question 3

Which of the following claims meets appropriate guidelines to be placed on the packaging of a supplement?

Accepted Answer

Supplements cannot make health claims (a statement that suggests that the supplement may help to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat, or cure a specific disease). Instead, they may describe the supplement's effects on the "structure or function" of the body or the "well-being" achieved by consuming the substance.

Question 4

Which organization provides voluntary testing and labeling for products that meet their quality guidelines?

Accepted Answer

The USP is a nonprofit organization that offers a set of guidelines for the quality, purity, strength, and manufacturing practices of and ingredients in dietary supplement products.

Question 5

Marie, a 40-year-old kindergarten teacher who is slightly overweight and borderline hypertensive, would like to take a weight-loss supplement to help her reach her goal of losing 10 pounds. What recommendation would you make to Marie?

Accepted Answer

Ultimately, the safety and efficacy of weight-loss supplements is largely unknown. Anyone considering using a weight-loss supplement should discuss this first with his or her physician, especially if the person is taking prescription or over-the-counter medications or other supplements.

Question 6

Which of the following statements best summarizes the research related to vitamin supplementation?

Accepted Answer

Overall, most studies have shown no significant association between vitamin supplements and improved health.

Question 7

What is an isoflavone?

Accepted Answer

Isoflavones are phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen.

Question 8

A patient with a history of heart disease and depression is looking for natural ways to decrease and minimize the impact of these conditions. Which of the following recommendations are appropriate for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Natural food sources include egg yolk and cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, cod, crab, shrimp, and oysters which are good sources of omega-3. Evidence suggests that people who do not meet the recommendation for omega-3 fatty acids may benefit from supplementation or from fortified foods.

Question 9

Which organization is responsible for monitoring and producing the list of currently banned substances that is utilized by all major organizations?

Accepted Answer

The World Anti-Doping Agency code explicitly describes those supplements that are banned from use. Access the report at www.wada-ama.org for a complete listing of banned substances.

Question 10

What practice is characterized by ingesting a substance for the express purpose of enhancing performance?

Accepted Answer

Doping, the act of ingesting a banned substance in an effort to improve athletic performance, is relatively common among elite athletes.

Question 11

Sam, an elite junior Olympic sprinter, was banned from his sport for a year after testing positive for a banned substance, which resulted from taking a supplement that was contaminated. In his appeal, what defense can Sam take?

Accepted Answer

Athletes have been expelled from their sport due to inadvertent doping. Because supplements are not closely regulated and rates of contamination are high, some athletes test positive for banned substances even though they are unaware they consumed the substance.

Question 12

Why should consumers exercise caution when purchasing any product that claims to boost muscle mass?

Accepted Answer

Many supplements on the market contain anabolic steroid contaminants. Consumers should proceed with caution when considering trying any product that boasts of its ability to quickly boost muscle mass.

Question 13

Which type of supplement is commonly abused by athletes in sports with weight requirements?

Accepted Answer

Diuretics are medications or substances that lead to increased water loss. Athletes trying to make weight tend to abuse diuretics.

Question 14

A wrestler would like to select a whey supplement to provide additional protein for the purpose of gaining muscle mass. Which of the following forms of whey provide the highest percentage of protein?

Accepted Answer

Whey powder is 11% to 15% protein and is used as an additive in many food products. Whey concentrate is 25% to 89% protein, whereas whey isolate is more than 90% protein.

Question 15

Which type of protein supplement provides extended release of the protein over several hours after ingestion?

Accepted Answer

Casein possesses a property that allows the protein to provide a sustained slow release of amino acids into the bloodstream, sometimes lasting for hours.

Question 16

What recommendation should be made to a recreational athlete who is interested in supplementing with branched-chain amino acids?

Accepted Answer

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises against individual amino acid supplementation and protein supplementation overall. Food sources of protein and amino acids may provide basically the same effects at a fraction of the cost.

Question 17

Which supplement has been shown to increase the body's ability to build muscle mass when combined with intense resistance-training workouts without significant risk of side effects?

Accepted Answer

Creatine (sold as creatine monohydrate) is effective in building muscle mass, especially when combined with intensive strength training.

Question 18

Which of the following athletes should exercise caution and consult a physician prior to utilizing a creatine supplement?

Accepted Answer

People with potential risk of renal dysfunction, such as those with diabetes, hypertension, or decreased kidney function, should not use creatine unless its use is advised or cleared by a physician.

Question 19

Which of the following resources would provide the most valid and unbiased information for assessing the credibility of a nutritional supplement?

Accepted Answer

Generally, the Office of Dietary Supplements (http://ods.od.nih.gov), the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (http://nccih.nih.gov), and the Food and Drug Administration (www.fda.gov) offer unbiased information to help consumers understand the validity of claims as well as risks and benefits from taking supplements.

Question 20

Who is the best person to help a patient evaluate the risks and benefits of taking a specific nutritional supplement?

Accepted Answer

The best person to help a client evaluate the risks and benefits of supplement use is the primary care physician (or surgeon, for those undergoing surgery), or in some cases a registered dietitian.

Quiz 10: Nutritional Supplements and Ergongenic Aids