The document summarizes research into the efficacy and influence of common nutritional supplements. It discusses supplements like calcium, fish oil, ginseng, and vitamin D. It also summarizes interviews with a nurse and three endurance athletes. The nurse takes fish oil supplements to lower blood pressure and cholesterol due to family history of heart issues. The athletes all take magnesium supplements and reported no adverse effects, with two noting supplements influence their diets and all reporting improved performance or recovery.

1. Elijah Braun
EFFICACY AND INFLUENCE OF
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

2. Commonly used Nutritional
Supplements
• Calcium
• Fish oil
• Ginseng
• Vitamin D
Introduction
Why did I select this topic?
Interviewee
• Laura-Licensed RN
• Data collected from 3 active
endurance athletes via
Strava

3. SUPPLEMENT BACKGROUND
Calcium Supplements
• Growth in Bone strength
• Muscle and nerve strength
Fish Oil Supplements
• Lower blood pressure
• Lower Cholesterol
Ginseng Supplements
• Lower blood sugar and cholesterol
• Boost energy
Glucosamine Supplements
• Joint pain and Arthritis

4. Interview with Laura
• Takes Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements
• Used to lower blood pressure and cholesterol
• Family history of cardiac related illnesses
• Does not influence dietary choices
What she sees in patients
Supplement vs. Substitute
Magnesium supplements and kidney issues

5. Responses from 3 Endurance athletes
Questions
Q: Do you take any vitamin or
nutritional supplements?
Q: If yes, what are they and
how often do you take them?
Q: Do these supplements have
any role any your dietary
choices?
Q: Have you had any adverse
effects from taking
supplements?
Q: Have you noticed a change
in your performance since you
started taking supplements?
Findings
• All 3 who responded
take supplements
• All take Magnesium
supplements 4-5
times weekly
• 2/3 dietary choices
affected(caloric
intake vs caloric
expenditure centric
diets)
• No adverse effects
reported
• Increase in
performance
no/Recovery
improved.

6. Analysis
Biological Aspect
• Family health history
• Boost energy and recovery
Cultural Aspect
• Endurance sport
community and
sharing knowledge of
supplements
Were my ideas supported by my
findings?

7. Sources
https://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm109760.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-
depth/calcium-supplements/art-20047097?pg=1
Whittaker, Paula J. “All Nutritional Supplements Should Be Classified as Drugs.”
BMJ: British Medical Journal, vol. 335, no. 7617, 2007, pp. 414–414.
www.jstor.org/stable/20507583.
Abrahamsen, Bo, and Opinder Sahota. “Do Calcium plus Vitamin D Supplements
Increase Cardiovascular Risk? Insufficient Evidence Is Available to Support or
Refute the Association.” BMJ: British Medical Journal, vol. 342, no. 7804, 2011,
pp. 934–935. www.jstor.org/stable/41150403.
Myung, Seung-Kwon et al. “Efficacy of Vitamin and Antioxidant Supplements in
Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of
Randomised Controlled Trials.” BMJ: British Medical Journal, vol. 346, no. 7893,
2013, pp. 12–12. www.jstor.org/stable/23494109.