L6 Supplements

Question 1

PT scope of practice with supplements

Answer 1

1. It is not within our scope of practice to directly recommend or sell dietary supplements
2. We CAN provide education about supplements
3. We SHOULD know potential adverse effects of supplements

Question 2

What percentage of adults regularly use supplements?

Answer 2

58% of adults above the age of 20

Question 3

Who uses supplements the most?

Answer 3

Women (64%)
74% of adults older than 60

Question 4

Most common supplements used

Answer 4

multivitamin mineral
vitamin D
omega-3 fatty acids
vitamin C
botanicals

Question 5

Federal regulation of supplements

Answer 5

1. NOT required to be tested or approved before being sold to public
2. DO NOT need to be shown to be safe, just reasonable assurance that it won’t cause harm
3. DO NOT need to show evidence of effectiveness
4. FDA does not analyze contents
5. FDA can issue a recall if it has been shown to be unsafe or harmful

Question 6

Are supplements required to be tested or approved before being sold?

Answer 6

No

Question 7

Does the FDA analyze the content of supplements?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

Evidence based resources for dietary supplements

Answer 8

NIH: Office of Dietary Supplements

contains a plethora of information, including info for patients and HCPs

Question 9

Examples of resources from the NIH

Answer 9

-Dietary supplement fact sheets
-dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance

Question 10

Micronutrient info provided by NIH

Answer 10

lists recommended amount at each life stage, effects of meeting/not meeting/exceeding levels

Question 11

Individual supplement information provided by NIH

Answer 11

Usual dosage
rates effectiveness based on evidence
special warnings
interactions w/meds, herbs, etc

Question 12

Position Statements

Answer 12

Professional academies often have compiled evidence-based position statements on dietary supplements

excellent resource to review for updates and to refer your patients to

Question 13

Creatine purpose

Answer 13

helps supply muscles with energy for short-term predominantly anaerobic activity

Question 14

Creatine Research benefits

Answer 14

numerous clinical trials generally showing benefit for HIIT

may increase strength, power, work from max effort muscle contractions

little value for endurance sports

Question 15

Creatine Research, safety

Answer 15

Few safety concerns reported at typical dose

weight gain due to water retention, nausea, diarrhea, muscle cramps, muscle stiffness, heat intolerance

Question 16

Recommendations for PTs with their patients

Answer 16

1. Encourage them to discuss all supplements with HCP
2. Encourage discussion and obtaining first through nutrition
3. Guide patients towards scientifically sound resources
4. Remind that no supplement is completely harmless

Question 17

Are supplements harmless?

Answer 17

NO
all have some effect