As an aggressive athlete, you want to win. As an ethical athlete, you want to improve, by using aids that are safe, effective and legal, without resorting to aids that are 'illegal'.

Is it possible for a player to be aggressive and yet be ethical? Of course, it is!

But in India, the public perception of the line between being aggressive and ethical is wafer thin.

In the aftermath of the latest scandal surrounding the Indian cricket team, one thing is for certain: it is easy for uneducated coaches and reporters to tear this line apart, for the sake of 'news'.

Good for them, to make some headlines; but a bad reflection on honest players...

Strange irony, considering that we happen to live in a country where players guilty of match-fixing appear in movies, and start their own business ventures, with media coverage to go with it !!!!!

Ignorance can be bliss.. for the ignorant, but not for the accused.

Let's get the facts straight. A supplement is just that -- a 'supplement'. It can be defined as something added to make something else complete, or something that makes up for a deficiency.

Nutrition supplements were originally created with the idea that individuals who were not getting enough of one or more nutrients could take a supplement that would fulfill that particular need. Supplements, most often, come in pill, powder or liquid form. Common supplements include protein, vitamins, and minerals.

'Anabolic steroids' is the familiar name for synthetic substances related to the male sex hormones (androgens). They promote the growth of skeletal muscle (anabolic effects) and the development of male sexual characteristics (androgenic effects), and also have some other effects. They have medical applications, but steroids are illegal, when used to enhance sports performance.

Why accuse our cricketers of taking steroids? Why accuse Andrew Leipus of giving it to them? And on what basis? A man who has worked hard for the team. In fact, had he not been a foreigner, we would have seen reports of 'experts' asking him to step down. Guilty, until proven innocent, they say.

As a physio, and a sports trainer like Leipus, having completed studies in diet and nutritional analysis, the bias towards a colleague like Leipus is evident... Here's a newsflash - I recommend sports enhancing supplements like creatine, whey protein, glutamine and anti-oxidants to some of the athletes that I train, and the results are - improved strength, speed, stamina and recovery from hard training sessions.

And that's the bottom line.

Wake up, people. Gone are the days where you 'just kicked butt' and went home and ate your veggies and rice. Do you want results fast? Do you want to feel lighter, healthier, lose weight, and improve your running as soon as possible?

If the answer is yes, then food supplements can help you. (I am sipping a protein drink called LEAN BODY, as I write this, late in the night).

So welcome to the world of powdered drinks and foods.

Hmmmmmmmm. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.
But isn't food enough? Some might say ....

Here's an argument: Take 2 oranges, even if they are of the same weight, and grown in the same region, their Vitamin C content can differ significantly. Depending on the time they are picked, depending on the time they are stored in the fridge, depening on the time they are exposed to air (oxidized) after they are sliced and kept out in the open... The nutrient content in foods can hence be variable and random.

Citing another example, let's assume that you are trying to increase the supply of proteins to your muscles soon after a weight training workout (which is generally advisable), then a powdered protein drink which is easily digestable, as compared to a standard protein meal, would be appropriate.

Also, if you smoke, drink alcohol, exercise regularly, if you are fighting an illness, if you are under stress or if you're a professional athlete, your nutrient requirements can increase. You would need more protien, vitamins, minerals and amino acids like glutamine and BCAAs - all of which can be effectively accomplished with supplementation.

Supplements are a modern way to get that extra 'edge' in nutrition and hence fitness. Supplements did not grow on trees, and hence they were not available to our ancestors! They are manufactured, prepared in state of the art laboratories and are available to us today.

Part II: Show me the science

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