Nutrional supplements and the USAF?

[skyward80]

Does anybody have any idea where I might be able to find out more about the USAF's policies on nutritional supplements?

I am interested in using non-ephedra (already banned by the USAF) and non-andro products such as creatine, testosterone, etc. as part of a balanced diet and exercise program. I asked somebody if I should ask a flight surgeon about this, but I was basically told that I was an idiot for WANTING to talk to a flight surgeon. Additionally, my question was met with raised eyebrows as if I had just asked permission to take steroids.

Not looking for info. on risks, long-term effects, what the FDA thinks, etc. I am an informed consumer. I just need to know if the USAF has specific guidelines for me to follow.

Thanks for the help! Links and references are gold!


Lata!
Skyward80

 

[Andy]

'Tis better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission.
I don't know the answer; let's just say that I haven't been tested for supplements yet.

You're a butterbar, right? Butterbars are allowed to violate the UCMJ four times before being punished (just kidding ).

If you REALLY want to know the answer, go to www.af.mil and look at the AF pubs pertaining to medical stuff.

 

[Steeler Fan]

The Aerospace Physiology instructors had this info on one of the Power Point slides I viewed during my last altitude chamber. Basically they had the list of things you're allowed to take, not allowed to take, and several over the counter items (and some food items) that you may test positive for on a drug test.

They quoted a regulation as well, but my cranium was completely full by that time. I'd talk to them with a hypothetical..."If I know someone who's thinking about taking XYZ, what's the AF going to say?"

Hope this helps.

 

[skyward80]

Thanks for the info guys! I will look into the medical reg stuff. Additionally, I'll be doing the altitude chamber in a matter of weeks. Perhaps, I will get the same briefing.

Andy: My gold bars weigh heavy with the weight of my responsibility. Okay... now let me try typing that without laughing.



Lata!
Skyward80

 

[Toro]

BaseOps.net has an Aviation Medicine forum moderated by a flight doc. I'm sure he could give you the exact AF guidelines on what you need to know.

BaseOps.net Aviation Medicine forum

 

[Jafar]

I am interested in using non-ephedra (already banned by the USAF) and non-andro products such as creatine, testosterone,

If you are interested in using test you've got another thing coming. Testosterone is a schedule III controlled substance and without a serious androgen deficiency no doctor in their right mind will write it to you.

On the other hand, and very much off the record, I've never heard of any branch of service testing members for excessive androgens.

Also keep in mind you're dealing with a service that currently wants EVERY MEMBER to have a danm 32 inch waist. So who the hell knows what they're doing.

 

[Andy]

Re: Re: Nutrional supplements and the USAF?

On the other hand, and very much off the record, I've never heard of any branch of service testing members for excessive androgens.

It's an expensive test (as far as the military is concerned). I've read of a couple of jarheads who were tested, but I think that's an extremely rare exception.

For various steroids, they can remain detectible for 6 months or longer after discontinuing usage. Again, it would be extremely rare to be actually tested for steroid use in the military.

And FWIW, Jafar is correct that steroids are a Class III controlled substance; unauthorized possession is a felony. Felonies tend to put a damper on one's career, whether military or otherwise.

 

[skyward80]

Yeah, I'm sure steroids are a bad idea. Certainly, I would never consider taking those. However, creatine is hardly a steroid neither is testosterone. What you're saying is that andro (androstenedione) is considered a Class III substance?

Skyward80

 

[Andy]

Skyward,
Andro is a testosterone precursor; it is not a Class III controlled substance.
However, AFAIK, ALL testosterone products (Test Enanthate, Test Cyp, Test Prop, Test Susp, Sustanen, etc) ARE Class III Controlled substances; they are all steroids. You won't be able to buy any of these products over the counter at any health food store in the US. In the eyes of the law, there is a big difference between testosterone and testosterone precursors.

 

[skyward80]

What is AFAIK?

I see the difference you are trying to illustrate here. However, if one were to use pure testosterone (without andro and any of the other substances which can be combined with testosterone), this would not be considered illegal. At least, I wouldn't think so... all of this stuff is available over the counter. That's why I'm scratching my head.

Isn't there a list somewhere?

Skyward80

 

[Andy]

What is AFAIK?

As Far As I Know.

OK, let me post the dictionary definition of testosterone:
"A white crystalline steroid hormone, C19H28O2, produced primarily in the testes and responsible for the development and maintenance of male secondary sex characteristics. It is also produced synthetically for use in medical treatment."


Testosterone is a (primarily male) hormone, just as estrogen is a (primarily female) hormone. All of us (both sexes) produce both testosterone and estrogen naturally in our bodies.
ANY synthetically produced testosterone is a Class III substance.
You are confusing testosterone with legal testosterone precursors. Precursors are supposed to boost your testosterone production; however, it is possible to shut down you HPTA with some products currently on the market. End result ... when you stop taking testosterone precursors, your natural testosterone production levels are below where you started, and your estrogen levels are increased. You have to be very careful when taking some of the more potent over the counter testosterone boosters (Mag 10 comes to mind).
I've probably posted far too indepth information on this subject than what you need to know. As long as you stick to the list allowed by the AF, you'll be safe. FWIW, I think that the AF used to not allow taking Creatine. (Every TDY that I went to Saudi, I brought a decent supply of Creatine; puts on ~10 lbs in a couple of weeks due to fluid retention in the muscle tissue. Just make sure to give your body a month's break from creatine every once in a while).

 

[Mu2Driver]

just take the creatine, and ephedra-free hydroxycut. There are tons of guys here at the academy who take that and there are no issues with it.

On the other hand, there were a couple of morons who got busted about a month ago for doing roids...they got busted because they flushed the needles down the toilet, causing the toilet to clog...go figure

 

[Delta Po Boy]

I personally asked the Flight Doc about Creatine and he said it was cool. Testosterone will be a big no no. Any flight docs will be glad to answer any questions you have regarding supplements. Our docs tell us to bring the label in. They take a look at it and then let us know whether it is OK to take or not.

One of the guys above said it's better to ask forgiveness than permission. Very untrue. "I didn't know" is an unacceptable excuse for failing a drug test in the AF's eyes. The Docs are cool, so just ask the question.

 

[Andy]

One of the guys above said it's better to ask forgiveness than permission. Very untrue. "I didn't know" is an unacceptable excuse for failing a drug test in the AF's eyes. The Docs are cool, so just ask the question.

I guess you didn't hear how several guys beat the marijuana test by claiming to use liquid hemp. It was a bodybuilding supplement (of dubious worth) that supposedly would cause false positives for marijuana use.

 

[Delta Po Boy]

Andy,

Great advice. I guess it's OK for these guys to roll the dice with their AF careers "hoping" that a loop hole will keep these guys from getting the boot for taking the wrong supplements. Our Flight Docs brief us not to be stupid and ask the question.

I'd rather be a skinny pilot in the cockpit as opposed to a buff hamburger flipper and McDonalds...