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Jason J Stacy

Publications and source records attributed to Jason J Stacy.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Ginseng: is it in the root?

In athletics today, there is no shortage of participants looking for an extra edge in competition. In addition, there is no shortage of nutritional supplements for athletes to use with hopes of reaping ergogenic benefits. Ginseng is and will continue to be one of these supplements consumed by athletes despite little or no scientific data to support its ergogenicity. Multiple different types of ginseng can be consumed; the most studied and most common types are Siberian, Chinese, and American. Although related, each has different active compounds, and likely, different effects on the body. There do not appear to be significant adverse effects when used for short periods, but further studies are needed to confirm this. Similarly, more studies are needed to address the ergogenic potential of ginseng. At this time, ginsengs cannot be recommended to improve athletic performance, but there may be some utility for athletes by preventing viral upper respiratory infection and improving cognition. This review evaluates recently published literature on ginseng use in athletes.

Cognition↗
PubMed2005

Beta-hydroxy-beta-Methylbutyrate and its use in athletics.

Nutritional supplements are widely used by patients and athletes around the world for many different reasons. Many companies are thriving on this billion-dollar industry with little proof that these substances do what they are reported or suggested to do. Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a relatively new supplement on the ergogenic landscape. Studies of HMB supplementation have shown minimal gains in strength and lean body mass in specific populations, mainly untrained athletes and patients with wasting syndromes. HMB use in those athletes involved in regular high-intensity exercise has not been proven to be beneficial when multiple variables are evaluated. Unlike other ergogenics, with HMB no adverse events have been reported in association with short-term use. Despite these findings, HMB cannot be recommended as an ergogenic until further studies in larger groups reproduce early data. This review summarizes current literature on HMB, and provides the reader with information to better educate and treat patients and athletes.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Ergogenic aids: human growth hormone.

Human growth hormone (GH) has a number of accepted medical uses, but has quickly become a popular ergogenic aid among athletes. The issue of performance-enhancing substances such as anabolic steroids and GH has drawn the attention of athletes, their parents, and politicians. On almost a daily basis, headlines about the status of doping in professional, international, and amateur sports seem to be more pervasive. The supraphysiologic effects of GH lead to lipolysis, with increased muscle volume. Due to the ethical limitations of studying the use of high doses of GH in isolation or combined with anabolic steroids, the scientific literature has not produced compelling results on its efficacy. GH has potential as an anti-aging drug and does lead to some improved athletic performance in isolated studies. Despite the lack of compelling data, GH seems to have developed a reputation among athletes for enhancing performance. The detection of illegal doping with GH has been the focus of a concerted international effort by the International Olympic Committee. A number of promising detection techniques may allow the detection of illicit GH use. This review on GH as an ergogenic aid includes a discussion of the basic physiology of GH and its actions, the accepted medical indications for its use, the results of scientific studies that assess whether it improves exercise performance or work capacity, and the scientific techniques under development to detect ergogenics with strong abuse potential.

Acromegaly↗