Not all supplements are created equal

A lot of people fail to recognize that the billion dollar supplement industry is not regulated by the same standards as ordinary food and drugs that we consume on a daily basis.

While conventional foods must go through a regulated process before hitting the shelves, the Food & Drug Administration doesn't ensure the potency, purity or biologic activity of the ingredients in dietary supplements.

So what is the difference between what the FDA deems a drug and a supplement? Drugs are considered unsafe until proven safe. Supplements are considered safe until proven unsafe. The FDA is not responsible for the safety of supplements, the companies that produce them are.

The question then becomes, do you want to pay to be a part of some supplement company's research project?

Recently, an American soldier suffered cardiac arrest and died after taking the energy boosting workout supplement Jack3d made by USPlabs. Jack3d (pronounced Jacked) contains 1.3 dimethylamylamine (DMAA), an ingredient that causes a rise in blood pressure which can lead to cardiovascular problems such as a heart attack. The US Military has banned Jack3d from all of its bases. The FDA is currently working to remove these products from the market as well.

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This is why eating whole foods is the most appropriate method of fulfilling daily nutritional needs. Although some supplements can be used to fill deficiencies in our diets (which is why they're called SUPPLEMENTS!), athletes need to be extremely careful about using products such as Jack3d. If the claim on the package is too good to be true, it probably is! Or, there is an adverse side effect to them. Parents, beware of what your kid is ingesting and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me for more information!

Rivera selected as NSCA All-American

Colorado Springs, CO - The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) recently awarded Vince Rivera from Tokay High School with its annual All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year award, recognizing the student athlete's dedication to strength training and conditioning.

This year, the NSCA awarded 229 collegiate and high school athletes from 98 schools with this esteemed award. Vince was selected by Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Michael Holst, CSCS, who said, "Vince's commitment to the weight room transformed him over the course of last off-season. Rivera used the extra strength, agility, speed, conditioning he worked so hard to create as a weapon on the field. he was anmed our team's Defensive MVP and a second team All-League linebacker on a team that made the playoffs for the first time in two years. More importantly, he set the tone for us on defense with his tremendous attitude and will to get to the football."

Boyd Epley, Founder of the NSCA added, "The advantages of strength training and conditioning cannot be denied in collegiate and high school athletics. The NSCA is pleased to recognize student-athletes that put forth an effort to improve their performance through strength and conditioning. They are to be applauded for their hard work and dedication."

The NSCA All-American Athlete-of-the-Year Award program is in its 34th year.

For a complete list of All-American Strength and Conditioning athletes, contact the NSCA at (800) 815-6826 or www.nsca.com.

Rivera joins former Tigers Andrew Richards (2011) and Joey Silva (2012) as All-Americans. He totaled 830 pounds during testing last year, with a 365-pound back squat, 215-pound power clean and 250-pound bench press. He also recorded a 7-foot, 9-inch broad jump, a 25-inch vertical jump, a Pro Agility time of 4.64 seconds, a 40-yard dash time of 5.01 seconds and a 300-yard shuttle time of 51.78 seconds.

A senior captain, Rivera finished the season with 90 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one pass deflection and one forced fumble as the Tigers finished the regular season 7-3 before falling in the first round of the playoffs.