Deck 13: Food Drugs and Related Supplements

Question 1

Discuss both the potential beneficial and adverse health effects of consuming various amounts of alcohol.

Answer 1

The consumption of alcohol and associated positive and negative health effects are as follows:
Beneficial health effects: Generally, people drink alcohol, mostly for social reasons, but the amount of intake of alcohol will have a significant effect on the health. Moderate drinking in females not more than one drink per day and in males not more than two drinks per day are recommended.
• A light to moderate consumption of alcohol shows positive health effects, which include reduced cardiovascular risks, platelet-aggregating effects. The memory enhancing effects of acetylcholine on hippocampus is also a positive sign and also protects against Alzheimer's disease.
• Small amount or low amounts of alcohol consumption give relaxation effect, reduce emotional stress, which is a risk factor for the coronary heart disease. Small amounts decrease clotting ability by enhancing the activity of clot-dissolving enzyme presence in the blood.
• The low consumption of alcohol increases the level of high density lipoproteins (HDL 3 ) - cholesterol levels of 10%, which decreases the risk of coronary heart disease. Alcohol also plays a role in transporting HDL from the peripheral tissues to liver to improve vascular function.
• Intake of red wine mostly shows health benefits than any other forms of alcohol. The polyphonds obtained from wine and beer protect against atherosclerotic process. The polyphenols reduced low density lipoproteins (LDL) oxidation, platelet aggregation, improves vasodilation, blood flow and vascular function.
• Beer and wine contain B vitamins, and more proteins, rich in flavonoids and also have antioxidant content. The moderate consumption of beer and wine, but not spirits lowers the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Adverse Health Effects: The adverse health effects of alcohol depend on the amount of alcohol consumption, age and gender. The high intake of alcohol affects all cells in the body. Alcohol with alcohol metabolite acetaldehyde have direct effects on the cells and damages the DNA and also shows the adverse effect on liver and brain.
• Alcohol causes liver cirrhosis. The liver is the only organ, which metabolizes alcohol. When the liver functions are obstructed, the carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism are not properly regulated and affects heart, kidneys and pancreases.
• Alcohol consumption disturbs mental functions, as alcohol acts as depressant and affects higher brain centers. Alcohol consumption decreases are thought and reasoning, fine motor coordination (muscles of speech), double vision, perceptual-motor responses (reaction time), alertness, respiratory control and gross motor coordination (walking).
• High consumption of alcohol increases the risk of stroke and heart disease by affecting heart normal rhythm with increase in blood fatty acids, autonomic nervous activity and increase in the levels of acetyldehyde.
• Alcohol also damages or changes in DNA as the carcinogens. Alcohol affects oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and esophagus, colorectal cancer in male and breast cancer in female.
• Women during pregnancy should avoid alcohol consumption, because alcohol may affect the DNA in the embryo and fetus. Alcohol leads to placental dysfunction and decrease in placental size, retardation in growth and mental development and also facial birth defects, impaired in gross motor skills and co-ordination.

Question 2

Of the drugs and supplements discussed in this chapter, which have the most research supporting their ability to enhance exercise or sports performance?

A) caffeine and androstenedione
B) ginseng and ephedrine
C) alcohol and DHEA
D) androstenedione and ephedrine
E) sodium bicarbonate and caffeine

Answer 2

The term "ergogenic aids" refers to the phenomena that is expected to enhance the exercise performance, and it also refers to the work-producing substances.
Examples of ergogenic aids include, nutrients, drugs, management of stress, hypnosis, and warm-up exercises, blood doping, rhythmic pattern of oxygen breathing, and others.
Ephedrine, alcohol, and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) are not listed as sports supplements. Research studies reported that ginseng is not an effective sport supplement.
Thus, the options (a), (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect.
The effective, safe, and permissible sports supplements supported by quality research include,
• Caffeine (central nervous system stimulant, increase the blood glucose levels)
• Carbohydrate (for example, sports bars)
• Creatine (involved in energy metabolism)
• Sodium bicarbonate (buffering agent that induces alkalinity and delay the exhaustion period)
• Water (maintain the fluid and electrolyte balance)
Thus, the correct option is,

Question 3

Discuss the efficacy, safety, and legality of caffeine supplementation as an ergogenic aid for aerobic endurance athletes.

Answer 3

One of the most widely consumed beverages is coffee, which contain caffeine. The caffeine is a white alkaloid, odourless, bitter naturally present in many plants. The caffeine may be used as a food ingredient or a dietary supplement, like kola nuts and Guarana.
The caffeine activates the adrenal gland to release epinephrine into blood circulation. The caffeine combines with epinephrine and stimulates the central nervous system, improves muscle contraction, enhances liver glycogen breakdown and increases use of muscle triglycerides.
The caffeine is a stimulant drug and can affect a variety of metabolic and physiological processes in the body that may affect the exercise performance and health. The caffeine may improve performance in a variety of athletic endeavors, particularly prolonged aerobic endurance exercise. The caffeine is considered as an effective ergogenic aid and is safe and legal, but some athletes consider caffeine is an artificial enhancer.
The efficacy of caffeine as an ergonic aid:
• 6 to 9 mg/Kg of caffeine doses decreases 2,000 meter rowing performance time by 1.2% and enhances power by 2.7%.
• 5 mg/Kg dose increases 35% power during a 40 km cycling.
• 3 mg/Kg caffeine dose improves 8 km run time.
• Lower doses of caffeine less than 3mg/Kg consumed before and during exercise is an ergogenic in different of continuous and intermediate tasks.

Question 4

About how many milligrams of caffeine are in a 6-ounce cup of perked coffee?

A) 25-30
B) 100-125
C) 300-400
D) 500-600
E) 1,000

Question 5

Discuss the efficacy, safety, and legality of sodium bicarbonate supplementation as an ergogenic aid. In which types of sports would it appear to be most effective?

Question 6

Which of the following is not a physiological effect of caffeine?

A) decreases the metabolic rate
B) stimulates the central nervous system
C) increases the secretion of epinephrine
D) increases heart rate and force of contraction
E) increases force of skeletal muscle contractility

Question 7

Compare and contrast the effects of testosterone, versus its congeners DHEA and androstenedione, as ergogenic aids for the development of muscle mass and strength. Discuss possible health risks associated with use of each.

Question 8

For an average-size male adult (150 pounds), the consumption of four drinks within a very short period of time would elevate the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to about what level?

A) 0.01
B) 0.02
C) 0.05
D) 0.10
E) 0.15

Question 9

What is ginseng, why is it purported to be an ergogenic aid, and does research support its efficacy as an ergogenic?

Question 10

As a potential ergogenic aid, sodium bicarbonate would be most likely suited to which type of athlete?

A) marathon runner (26.2 miles)
B) 100-meter sprinter (track)
C) 400-meter sprinter (track)
D) pole vaulter (field)
E) discus thrower (field)

Question 11

Increasing research suggests that moderate alcohol consumption, or "low risk" drinking, may reduce the risk of CHD and all-cause mortality. All of the following, except which, are hypothesized to contribute to this reduced risk?

A) a relaxation effect and reduced anxiety
B) decreased platelet aggregability (decreased possibility of blood clots)
C) increased blood flow to the brain
D) reduced caloric intake, induced weight loss, and prevented metabolic syndrome
E) an increase in HDL-cholesterol

Question 12

Research generally supports the theory that caffeine may enhance performance in long-distance endurance events. Which of the following is the least likely hypothesis?

A) It may exert a psychological stimulating effect.
B) It stimulates the release of epinephrine from the adrenal gland.
C) It decreases the use of both free fatty acids and muscle glycogen.
D) It may decrease the perception of effort during exercise.
E) It may exert a direct effect on the muscles to increase muscle contractile force.

Question 13

Anabolic/androgenic steroids (AAS) are drugs popular with individuals with muscle dysmorphia, or those who desire to increase muscle mass even though already very muscular. AAS are designed to mimic mainly the anabolic effects of which natural hormone in the body?

A) insulin
B) human growth hormone (HGH)
C) testosterone
D) androsterone
E) estrogen

Question 14

Which of the following dietary supplements marketed to strength-trained individuals are precursors, or prohormones, for testosterone?

A) creatine and conjugated linoleic acid
B) gamma oryzanol and ginseng
C Cordyceps sinensis and Cytoseira canariensis
D) HMB and Tribulus terrestris
E) androstenedione and DHEA

Question 15

Which of the following ergogenic aids are currently permitted for use by athletes in all sports competitions according to the doping list created by the World Anti-Doping Agency?

A) caffeine and ephedrine
B) sodium bicarbonate and caffeine
C) caffeine and alcohol
D) androstenedione and DHEA
E) ginseng and ephedrine