On February 2, 2012, the New York Times published an article concerning the deaths of two U.S. Army soldiers who were taking dietary supplements containing the ingredient dimethylamylamine (DMAA). The Army has stopped selling products containing DMAA at all military bases pending the investigation of the dietary supplements’ role in the deaths of these two soldiers. The soldiers passed away after suffering heart attacks when completing fitness exercise tests.

The dietary supplements under scrutiny, OxyElite Pro and Jack3d, are marketed by the Dallas-based company, USPlabs. Both products contain DMAA, an ingredient purported to increase a person’s energy and metabolism levels. USPlabs claims there is no medical evidence showing that its dietary supplements are dangerous.

Critics of dietary supplements containing DMAA allege that these products should be classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) as drugs instead of supplements. In the U.S., a dietary supplement is defined as “a product containing only supplemental dietary ingredients, like vitamins or mineral” that does not require F.D.A. approval for sale. Critics argue that the F.D.A. should more closely monitor products containing a stimulant such as DMAA.

See the full New York Times article at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/03/business/army-studies-workout-supplements-after-2-deaths.html