Back in 2008 when I conducted this interview, Florida was one of ONLY 15 schools to employ a fulltime nutritionist to help their sports programs eat right and take the right supplements. Also, UF was the first school to have two full time sports nutritionists on staff.
So, these players are hardly going at this alone. They have the proper guidance if they choose to utilize it.
Linked below is the full interview.
Here is a part about supplements:
GatorBait.net: It seems like supplements could be such a gray area. How do you monitor the intake of supplements and what is and isn't allowed?
Cheryl Zonkowski: As mentioned players receive supplements based on their medical histories, lab work and food recalls that take place when they first meet with me.
All supplement recommendations are made on an individual basis. Each football player has a vitamin drawer with his name on it so he can take his supplements each day to assure consistency.
All supplements provided are those permitted by the NCAA.
If a student-athlete is interested in taking a supplement that the Athletic Association is not permitted to provide (per the NCAA), I have to review the supplement, it's claims, and its contents before the player can take it.
This review is to help players learn about the products they are interested in as well as provide a line of defense to prevent a positive drug test.
Currently supplement companies are not strictly regulated by the government so anything a student-athlete takes; they take at their own risk.
There is no fool proof way to say that a supplement is safe or that it is effective either (unless a tremendous amount of research has been done on it).
The nutrition department oversees all supplement purchases and distribute within the Athletic Association.
STILL A GOOD READ TODAY: https://florida.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=837267
So, these players are hardly going at this alone. They have the proper guidance if they choose to utilize it.
Linked below is the full interview.
Here is a part about supplements:
GatorBait.net: It seems like supplements could be such a gray area. How do you monitor the intake of supplements and what is and isn't allowed?
Cheryl Zonkowski: As mentioned players receive supplements based on their medical histories, lab work and food recalls that take place when they first meet with me.
All supplement recommendations are made on an individual basis. Each football player has a vitamin drawer with his name on it so he can take his supplements each day to assure consistency.
All supplements provided are those permitted by the NCAA.
If a student-athlete is interested in taking a supplement that the Athletic Association is not permitted to provide (per the NCAA), I have to review the supplement, it's claims, and its contents before the player can take it.
This review is to help players learn about the products they are interested in as well as provide a line of defense to prevent a positive drug test.
Currently supplement companies are not strictly regulated by the government so anything a student-athlete takes; they take at their own risk.
There is no fool proof way to say that a supplement is safe or that it is effective either (unless a tremendous amount of research has been done on it).
The nutrition department oversees all supplement purchases and distribute within the Athletic Association.
STILL A GOOD READ TODAY: https://florida.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=837267
