Molly Stuart

12 November 2017
IR 2
Chawkat

Citation:​ Johnson, Anthony E., et al. "Hazards of Dietary Supplement Use." ​Hazards of
​Dietary Supplement Use​, jsomonline.org/Publications/2007130Johnson.pdf.
Accessed 13 Nov. 2017.

Summary:​ This scholarly publication written by Anthony E. Johnson, MD analyzes the adverse
effects of specific ergogenic aids. The objective of this study is to establish the incidence of
dietary supplement use in a U.S. Army combat unit and to present a brief review of the literature
on the documented negative reactions related to dietary supplements use. In his study, Johnson
observed 750 Rangers from the U.S. Army 1st Ranger Battalion and administered an
anonymous, self-reported, survey relating to recreational and competitive athletic participation,
participation in weight training, ergogenic supplement use, and sources of nutritional
information. The collected data was ultimately analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square, which
tests how likely an observed distribution is due to chance, in addition to continuity correction
method of analysis. Of the 750 possible test subjects, 294 (39.5%) rangers responded to the
survey. Of those 294 rangers, 109 reported to have used at least one dietary supplement,
majority consuming either protein supplements or creatine. The most commonly cited source
amongst the rangers was linked to Fitness Magazine. Less than 10% cited a nutritionist or
registered dietitian as their source of information. It was concluded that dietary supplement use
in the surveyed unit is similar to rates reported for other athletic organizations. Because the long
term health effects of ergogenic aids are unknown, they should be consumed with caution. In
addition, the author provided a table of specific ergogenic aid agents and their adverse effects,
as well as the active ingredients and common trade names.

Assessment:​ The author of this journal, Anthony Johnson, is a graduate of the US Military
Academy and UCLA School of Medicine. He is currently the Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at
McDonald Army Health Center, Fort Eustis, the VA team physician All Army Soccer, and the
ringside physician for the U.S.Army Transportation Center and School Modern Army
Combatives Program. The author provides a detailed biography within his study that further
elaborates upon his qualifications. This source was written in 2007, but can be corroborated
with current sources such as “Estrogenic endocrine disruptors present in sports supplements. A
risk assessment for human health” from the journal ​Food Chemistry​ written in 2014. There its
information is current. This source has minimal coverage because it does not discuss how/if the
supplements can have positive effects. Johnson solely covers the adverse effects with no
counter argument. This journal was written for other experts in the field as a contribution to
general knowledge of the topic as well as for students looking to gain knowledge regarding
ergogenic aids and their effects, respectively.