[slidepress gallery = ‘111113_supplementpackage’]

Students use supplements to gain an edge in the weight room or on their competition, but some nutrition experts, like professor Christina Meyer-Jax, do not believe students are aware of what they are putting in their bodies.

“If you look at the ingredient list of a protein supplement and you have no idea what some of the ingredients are and you have to really dig and look up for it, that is probably a red flag,” Meyer-Jax said.

Both Meyer-Jax and St. Thomas trainer Tyrone Stenzel believe that supplement use is more than likely a growing trend.

“If you take a look at the United States, everybody likes to take shortcuts,” Stenzel said. “I think one of the misconceptions that people have, especially with supplements, is that I can get there faster if I take supplements.”

Meyer-Jax attributes the increase in supplement use to high expectations.

“I feel like there is more and more pressure on student-athletes to compete at a higher level…on top of all the stress and pressure that’s going on in students’ lives,” she said.

Despite the risks, for some students, the benefits outweigh the costs.

Ryan Shaver can be reached at shav7005@stthomas.edu

Olivia Detweiler contributed to this report.