Army Investigates Supplements After Death

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The New York Times is reporting the United States Army has withdrawn all products and dietary supplements containing dimethylamylamine (DMAA) from stores on military bases and over 100 GNC shops pending an investigation of an Army safety review.

The removal came after two soldiers died last year after suffering heart attacks during fitness exercises. DMAA is popular among athletes and gym members and is found in supplements like Jacke3d and OxyElite.

DMAA advertises that it increases energy, concentration and metabolism. Although it is widely available in the US through online sites and stores like GNC, it is banned by World Anti-Doping Authority, inside Canada and by a variety of other sporting organizations.

In a statement by USPlabs the company who markets OyxElite Pro and Jack3d said, “There was no medical evidence to suggest the products are dangerous when used as directed,” and it was co-operating with the Defense Departments investigation.

An army spokesperson said that DMAA had been found in the toxicology report of a 22-year-old soldier who collapsed during a training run last summer. Then just last fall, DMAA was found in the body of a 32-year-old soldier at the same base after he conducted a physical fitness test. The Army has also received further reports of “liver and kidney failure, seizures, loss of consciousness and rapid heartbeat” from other US military personnel who have consumed supplements with DMAA.

Although DMAA is compound found is Asian geraniums and is supposed to have similar effects to caffeine, some like Edward Wyszumiala, the general manager of NSF International, who tests supplements for the National Football League, claim it more akin to an amphetamine.

It was only last year the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) issued a waring after several athletes from around the world “tested positive for methylhexaneamine, a prohibited stimulant.” It its notice USADA stated  “athletes should steer clear of products that advertise to contain these substances.”