Supplements and inadvertent doping - how big is the risk to athletes.

Despite ongoing improvements to regulatory and manufacturing guidelines, the potential for contaminated nutritional supplements to cause a failed doping test for an athlete remains a concern. Several surveys of supplements available through the internet and at retail have confirmed that many are contaminated with steroids and stimulants that are prohibited for use in elite sport. Suggested responses to this issue include the complete avoidance of all supplements.

Nutrition issues in Codex: health claims, nutrient reference values and WTO agreements: a conference report.

Background: Codex documents may be used as educational and consensus materials for member governments. Also, the WTO SPS Agreement recognizes Codex as the presumptive international authority on food issues. Nutrient bioavailability is a critical factor in determining the ability of nutrients to provide beneficial effects.

Scientific issues related to Codex Alimentarius goals: a review of principles, with examples.

The Codex Alimentarius provides the food standards and guidelines recognized by the World Trade Organization as the primary authority for use in settlement of related trade disputes. Codex bases its decisions primarily on scientific principles and evidence, although other legitimate factors such as economic and societal values may be considered. Codex has two primary aims: to protect consumers' health and assure fair practices in food trade.

Supplementation with mixed fruit and vegetable juice concentrates increased serum antioxidants and folate in healthy adults.

Objective: Epidemiological studies have shown that low plasma levels of antioxidant micronutrients, which are commonly found in fruit and vegetables, are associated with increased risk for diseases such as heart disease, cancer, metabolic disorders and the like. The aim of this study was to monitor the dietary habits of a group of healthy, middle-aged, men and women and to assess the effect of supplementation with a natural phytonutrient preparation from fruits and vegetables, on plasma levels of various antioxidant micronutrients and oxidative stress assessed by measuring 8-oxodGuo (8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine) in urine.

Methods: The study followed a double-blind randomized cross-over design involving 59 healthy men and women (40-60 years of age).