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Getting your Money's Worth on Sport Nutrition Products
I spent an hour weekend at nutrition supplement retail store reading the labels of sport nutrition products. Based on the marketing claims on the packaging it was clear to me that sport nutrition companies are spending millions of dollars each year on clinical trials that test the efficacy of their actual products on people engaged in sport training or competition. However when I contacted several companies what I found out was less than convincing, at least for some of the brands.
Sports nutrition consumers are clearly influenced by more scientific formulations involving intriguing compounds and scientific marketing content on product labels which are strengthened by bar graphs and percentage-based claims citing research studies. The goal of this strategy is to convince the consumer that the use of the product will lead to significant improvements in strength, muscle development, endurance, metabolism, fat burning and/or other desired affects. Despite this overt application of science and research, the efficacy of most sophisticated sport nutrition product formulations remains to be substantiated by direct, final product research.
In the early 90’s EAS pioneered the research-driven model of product development, introducing a suite of products that had been proven in university-based clinical trials before they were marketed, and invested in well over $500,000 on university research in its first four years of business. Other brands, such as Accelerade, EAS, MuscleTech, FSI, GNC and new-comer GENR8, have also dedicated money to on-going research programs and market their products based on their research foundation.
So, the next time you find your self looking for a sport nutrition product, demand research of proof of its effectiveness. Check the company website for downloadable research papers and/or call them direct and ask for copies of the research studies on exercising people that test the actual product that you are considering buying. Also, make sure the research papers are published in a reputable science journal. Without proof you can’t be sure that you will be getting the most for the money.
Dr Rob Wildman
Author of The Nutritionist: Food, Nutrition and Optimal Healthand Sports & Fitness Nutrition and creator of TheNutritionDr.com
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