Editor’s Note: “Fitness Facts” is a weekly fitness and exercise column that appears on Mondays. If you would like to ask a fitness- related question to Irene Lewis McCormick, graduate student in health and human performance, she can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].

Q: My 19-year-old son is a body builder. He often consumes 10 egg whites a day as well as consuming a fairly large amount of protein supplements. Are there any health risks associated with this?

A: Make no mistake. The supplement industry is a billion-dollar business, preying upon the naivety of consumers, particularly those looking for improved performance, faster muscle gain or increased weight loss. For some reason, consumers believe that in order to achieve their goals, they must consume special dietary products in large amounts, those not normally found in a typical diet.

One of the most questionable supplementation practices is the use of individual amino acids. Amino-acids are nitrogen-containing components that make up proteins. About 22 amino acids exist in nature, eight or nine of which must be present in our diet because our bodies cannot manufacture them.

There is no evidence to date suggesting that healthy individuals will benefit from large doses of any one amino acid. In fact, imbalanced amino-acid diets created in a lab setting are associated with anti-nutritional effects.

For example, depressed growth, allergies, headaches and altered neural functioning are associated with single amino acid supplementation. In addition, no one is sure of the long-term effects amino acid supplementation has on kidney function.

The best way to obtain amino acids is through protein in the diet. I would suggest that your son visit with a registered, licensed dietitian to discuss his goals and the best way to reach them through safe and appropriate eating habits.

Q: I have been hearing about the DASH diet. What is that all about?

A: According to an article from Health and Fitness newsletter published by Newsweek, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) was a research study sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood institute, conducted in 1994.

It was organized to test whether blood pressure could be lowered by a dietary pattern based on whole foods rather than individual nutrients, such as decreased sodium intake and a decrease in alcohol consumption.

A combination diet consisting of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods, as well as reduced saturated and total dietary fat intake, was shown to be effective in reducing blood pressure.

The reductions took place without weight loss or decreased sodium intake and occurred in two weeks. The DASH dietary approach was effective regardless of race, age, gender or weight.