I work for the Department of National Defense in Canada. A brochure was recently inserted for distribution to the readers of a monthly newspaper called the ‘Maple Leaf’. I would like to share with you the wisdom contained therein. If this is official doctrine from which Canada choses to develope policy regarding ‘helping’ athletes, then god help us.
The following is how the information is presented…
-Article begin
'The Dietary Supplement Dilemma: Helpful or Harmful?
Protein Powders.
Marketing Claims: “Protein powders will help you to build larger muscles and provide you with greater exercise stamina”
Facts: Only resistance training activities will stimulate muscle growth. Since the body recycles most of the protein you breakdown during exercise, you only need to eat a small amount of protein to meet your body’s need to build and repair. The average Canadian Forces member’s diet contains more than enough protein to meet the needs of the hardest working athletes in the world. For example, a 90kg service mamber who is preparing for the Nijmegen
march(a 100 mile forced march with full , 20lb pack over 3 days)will have his/her daily protein needs met by eating 2 chicken breasts. Eating more protein than your body needs will not promote extra muscle growth. Any extra protein will be converted into either glucose or stored as fat.
-Anonymous testimonial by CF member
When I was a pup around 1998, I was using excess amounts of protein supplements. The results were good, but when I did my medical, they found that my cholesterol was elevated. For the first time in my life, my cholesterol was out of whack!(their punctuation) When I stopped all the supplements, it went back to normal’
Article end-
Needless to say, where could you start tearing this thing apart. I particulary like the line “The average Canadian Forces member’s diet contains more than enough protein to meet the needs of the hardest working athletes in the world.”
Apparently I went out this morning and bought enough protein to fuel my growth for the next 1 and 1/2 years, I got 30 lbs of ‘whey and egg’. The last such purchase was 6 months ago and was merely one of several sources I have personally used this year. Somebody is confused, I am not convinced that it is me.
The brochure also expounds on
Creatine(largely useless,except for ‘exceptional cases’)
Ephedrine(evil… Banned… use upon pain of death),
Multi vits, herbals(waste of money if you ‘eat well’)
Caffeine(is very effective performance enhancer provided it is taken in the correct amounts and for the right activities(it really is to weep isn’t it))
and other products offering various specious comments.
Presented for your amusement and comments. Please, let me say before anyone else suggests it… I DON’T SUPPORT THIS AT ALL…