Case Studies

These cases below all demonstrate examples of how using dietary supplements can be risky business!

Mislabeling Cases:

The Blueberry Pie protein powder had only 21% of the protein promised and 1814% more sugar than the label showed. The Cake Batter protein powder had only 16% of the protein promised and 846% more sugar. The Vanilla Milkshake protein powder had only 11% of the protein promised and 836% more sugar.

2. Cranberry Supplements

Some of these cranberry supplement products contained sources from grape skins, black beans, skins of red peanuts, and even ingredients cut with maltodextrin to mimic cranberry powder.

Performance Enhancing Supplement Or Death Pill? – Ephedra and Former Baseball player Steve Bechler

Ephedra is marketed as a weight loss supplement or energy booster but has been known to cause heart attacks, strokes, and even death. Steve Bechler died from taking the supplement.

2. Not All Energy Drinks Are Safe – NOS and a high school football player

A high school football player suffered a seizure and was hospitalized for five days after drinking two cans of an energy drink. Those two cans combined totaled 520 milligrams of caffeine.

3. Steroid Not Supplement – TREN Xtreme

TREN Xtreme is marketed to increase muscle strength, size, and stamina, as well as aids in fat loss. Yet, this supplement is an anabolic steroid and has led to liver problems as well as gynecomastia (enlarged breast) in men.

4. New Ingredients With No Evidence – USPLabs and OxyElite Pro

OxyElite Pro claims to burn fat, aid in weight loss, and increase muscle mass. However, this supplement has been linked to 97 cases of hepatitis. This supplement contained a new ingredient aegeline, that has no evidence of safety. USPLabs was charged for selling products with ingredients known to be toxic, lying about ingredient sourcing, and continuing to sell certain products even after the FDA banned them

5. Being in Great Shape Won’t Protect You – Jack3d and DMAA

A 22-year-old army private died after running for about 10 minutes, despite just graduating from basic training. Before his workout he consumed Jack3d which contained DMAA. DMAA have been linked to numerous health problems and even death.

6.Younger Kids Should Use Supplements Too? – How Supplements Can Send the Wrong Message – Androstenedione and Mark McGuire

Mark McGuire was using androstenedione when he was with the St. Louis Cardinals, and hit a record of 70 home runs in a year. This is a perfect example of how the use of dietary supplements by athletes can depict the message to children that dietary supplements are needed to perform at such a high competitive level.

7. Deceitful Companies – Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) Scandal

BALCO sold anabolic steroids to professional athletes that contained ingredients that would result in a positive doping test. Coaches also got involved that promoted the products.

8. Jail Time Won’t Stop People From Creating Adulterated Products And More Companies

A dietary supplement designer created various companies that manufactured contaminated and adulterated products. Some ingredients in the products had never been tested in humans. One ingredient that was found in one of his weight loss supplements was DNP. DNP is a highly toxic chemical found in insecticides and explosives.