As you know, Iron Culture reps the neutral to positive gang around these parts. While most new supplements released to the market don't pan out as effective, some do. So, if preliminary data supports the potential efficacy of a new supplement, why not try it out? The only potential downside of trying a new supplement is wasted money, right? Not so fast. In this episode the Erics duo explains why the typical supplement consumer is not accurately weighing the true potential cost of supplement investment. Unbelievably, some data indicates 10-30% of all supplements are contaminated - you heard that right. Could that be true? If so, why and how is this happening and what can you do about it? Join us to find out!

00:00 A successful intro

07:40 Supplements and the Helms algorithm for recommendations

Trexler 2014 Metabolic adaptation to weight loss: implications for the athlete https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24571926/

14:41 Breaking down Trexler's supplement tier list

26:26 Why caffeine is not a Tier 1 supplement

Gardiner 2023 The effect of caffeine on subsequent sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36870101/

35:33 Weighing up the pros and cons of supplements and issues in sports

Burke 2023 The Effects of Creatine Supplementation Combined with Resistance Training on Regional Measures of Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37432300/

Lauritzen 2022 Dietary Supplements as a Major Cause of Anti-doping Rule Violations https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35399596/

Geyer 2004 Analysis of non-hormonal nutritional supplements for anabolic-androgenic steroids - results of an international study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14986195/

Yun 2017 Monitoring of the amphetamine-like substances in dietary supplements by LC-PDA and LC-MS/MS https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30263651/

Matthews 2018 Prohibited Contaminants in Dietary Supplements https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28850291/

Jagim 2023 Prevalence of adulteration in dietary supplements and recommendations for safe supplement practices in sport https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37841887/

Tucker 2018 Unapproved Pharmaceutical Ingredients Included in Dietary Supplements Associated With US Food and Drug Administration Warnings https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30646238/

1:05:37 How banned substances can negatively affect you and where to read the FREE cover story

https://www.strongerbyscience.com/new-supplement/

1:13:33 The concept of 3rd party testing and licensing

https://examine.com/

1:24:26 Final thoughts on the topic

1:32:17 Closing out this double Eric episode