Table 2.
Reported usage and reasons to take nutritional supplements within the last 12 months.
| Supplement | Reported using % (n) | Improve health % | Improve performance % | Both % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dietary supplements (N = 138) | ||||
| Multivitamin & mineral supplement | 65 (89) | 38 | 7 | 55 |
| Single vitamins | 64 (88) | 42 | 5 | 53 |
| Single minerals | 63 (87) | 26 | 10 | 64 |
| Combination of vitamins | 52 (72) | 29 | 14 | 57 |
| Fish oil or essential fatty acids | 52 (72) | 43 | 7 | 50 |
| Combination of 1–3 vitamins & minerals | 46 (63) | 27 | 14 | 59 |
| Combination of minerals | 43 (60) | 23 | 15 | 62 |
| Sport foods (N = 125) | ||||
| Sports drinks | 94 (117) | 4 | 58 | 38 |
| Recovery drinks | 90 (112) | 12 | 34 | 54 |
| Energy bar | 89 (111) | 10 | 46 | 44 |
| Chocolate milk | 77 (96) | 17 | 34 | 49 |
| Protein shake | 66 (83) | 6 | 41 | 53 |
| Energy gel | 65 (82) | 2 | 72 | 24 |
| Protein bar | 60 (75) | 9 | 36 | 55 |
| Energy drink | 54 (67) | 9 | 69 | 22 |
| Maltodextrin | 32 (40) | 7 | 45 | 48 |
| Weight gainer | 31 (39) | 15 | 39 | 46 |
| Ergogenic supplements (N = 125) | ||||
| Caffeinea | 63 (79) | 8 | 58 | 34 |
| Tart cherry (juice) or as supplement | 39 (49) | 8 | 39 | 53 |
| Probiotics rich foods or as supplement | 32 (40) | 28 | 5 | 67 |
| Fresh exotic berries or as supplement | 29 (36) | 25 | 17 | 58 |
| Creatine | 29 (36) | 3 | 55 | 42 |
| BCAA | 22 (28) | 6 | 31 | 63 |
| Dietary nitrate rich foods or as supplement | 21 (27) | 7 | 32 | 61 |
| Herbs | 20 (25) | 26 | 22 | 52 |
| Beta-alanine | 19 (24) | 8 | 40 | 52 |
| Leucine | 19 (24) | 4 | 42 | 54 |
| Maca root powder | 17 (21) | 17 | 8 | 75 |
| Sodium bicarbonate | 17 (21) | 0 | 43 | 57 |
| CLA | 16 (20) | 10 | 33 | 57 |
| MCT | 15 (19) | 20 | 20 | 60 |
| Glucosamine/ Chondroitine | 15 (19) | 16 | 31 | 53 |
| L-carnitine | 15 (19) | 16 | 31 | 53 |
| Curcumin | 14 (18) | 26 | 26 | 48 |
| Ribose | 14 (18) | 11 | 39 | 50 |
| Quercetin | 13 (17) | 5 | 39 | 56 |
| Ephedra | 13 (17) | 12 | 47 | 41 |
| Tribulus Terrestris | 13 (17) | 6 | 47 | 47 |
| DHEA | 13 (17) | 12 | 35 | 53 |
| Glycerol | 12 (16) | 18 | 29 | 53 |
| Colostrum | 12 (16) | 6 | 44 | 50 |
| HMB | 12 (16) | 12 | 44 | 44 |
Underlined NCAA impermissible products. Italicized NCAA banned products. All others are classified as NCAA permissible products based on the following classification: carbohydrate/electrolyte drinks, bars, carbohydrate boosters, protein supplements, and those including omega-3 fatty acids and some vitamins and minerals. All percentages rounded to the nearest whole number.
a
Caffeine permissible to a urine metabolite level of 15 ug/mL.