Troops going to Chad get protein taken off them!!

Transform

Did anyone see this in the sunday tribune yesterday.

The soldiers had their protein and creatine taken off them on a bag search before going out to chad in africa!

The powers to be said that they were unnecessary and linked it with what else but steroids.

Just madness. These guys are busting ass out there and want to do some hard training but then get their ability to recover properly kicked into touch.

Further example of how backwards this country can still be.

flogen

The same story was in the NoTW last week - the reason given there was medical (as in they had the potential to mask the symptoms of a certain illness common in Chad, or something along those lines... not sure of the details or factual basis but there was no mention of the supplements themselves being dangerous).

Khannie

Protein masks illness. Are they witholding meat now too?

(edit: That's not aimed at you btw flogen)

Transform wrote:

Further example of how backwards this country can still be.

+1 on this

Transform

Just got text from a friend in the army on this and he said that the doctors were against it as it would result in failed drug tests!

Zamboni

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0325/1224243368504.html

flogen

Khannie wrote: »

Protein masks illness. Are they witholding meat now too?

(edit: That's not aimed at you btw flogen)

Ah I know - I must find the article to see what it actually says and how that stands up in the real world.

EDIT:

The Irish Times wrote:

The substances alter blood biochemistry. As a result they could nullify medicines taken by all of the Irish in Chad to prevent malaria and could also undermine urine and blood tests conducted on the mission for a range of medical conditions.

That's the actual reason - I recalled it incorrectly. Again, I wouldn't know how medically sound the logic is, but there you go.

rubadub

All protein or dietary supplements that include pseudoephedrine or ephedrine are not permitted.

So that sounds like only stuff containing these were taken (I hope).

Poccington

We have been warned before that some supplements may result in failed drug tests, although that's usually sorted when you just tell the person testing you what it is that you're taking.

AFAIK, they're also worried about whether it'll have any effect on the drugs the lads are taking, which is a drug called Larium. The whole supplement thing is something that's really only starting to be accepted by a lot of different Armies.

kevpants

They drug test soldiers now? Are steroids etc banned?

Personally I want the people protecting me from invasion to be sacked if they don't have enough steroids in their system.

MagicMarker

kevpants wrote: »

They drug test soldiers now? Are steroids etc banned?

Personally I want the people protecting me from invasion to be sacked if they don't have enough steroids in their system.

I assume we're talking about recreational drugs, unless the troops dabble in the odd powerlifting tournament while overseas?:D

Transform

yes its for recreation drugs but i would imagine steroids are an issue if they make a song and dance about flippin protein drinks!!

Naos

kevpants wrote: »

They drug test soldiers now? Are steroids etc banned?

Personally I want the people protecting me from invasion to be sacked if they don't have enough steroids in their system.

Was thinking the same - I wouldn't exactly object to the people protecting me where bigger/stronger/faster than normal due to the use of steroids.

O'Coonassa

kevpants wrote: »

Personally I want the people protecting me from invasion to be sacked if they don't have enough steroids in their system.

Relax, they aren't in Chad to protect you from invasion we're there to look after Mr Déby and his oil pipeline poor hapless refugees.

Transform

O'Coonassa wrote: »

Relax, they aren't in Chad to protect you from invasion we're there to look after Mr Déby and his oil pipeline poor hapless refugees.

and because the americans are too busy screwing up in other countries!

Roper

Heard about this before (I think, as with a lot of news, this story is actually quite old. it must have been a quiet day at the churnalism factory) and there's a sound medical explanation for it. I believe there's also a fairly strict acclimatisation programme for the troops involving diet, water etc. and anything that effects hydration levels etc. is nixxed.

So no need for the high horses.

Poccington

kevpants wrote: »

They drug test soldiers now? Are steroids etc banned?

Personally I want the people protecting me from invasion to be sacked if they don't have enough steroids in their system.

Yes, steroids are banned.

The lads over there have to be careful cause of the environment they're working in and the work they're carrying out, so somewhere along the line people obviously started to look at what effect certain supplements may have on their bodies whilst doing that work. Back home, supplement use is quite wide spread from line Infantry units all the way to the ARW and would never get you in any trouble.

Chucky the tree

From the irish times article:

The substances alter blood biochemistry. As a result they could nullify medicines taken by all of the Irish in Chad to prevent malaria and could also undermine urine and blood tests conducted on the mission for a range of medical conditions.

Poccington

Naos wrote: »

Was thinking the same - I wouldn't exactly object to the people protecting me where bigger/stronger/faster than normal due to the use of steroids.

Pretty much all modern armies have managed to get by perfectly well without them.

rubadub

Roper wrote: »

and there's a sound medical explanation for it.

Yes, as I already quoted from the times article they are not banning protein

All protein or dietary supplements that include pseudoephedrine or ephedrine are not permitted

They are banning pseudoephedrine & ephedrine. If your protein happens to contain it then of course it is banned, just like if my tobacco pouch contains cannabis it would be banned too!

I am not sure if I have ever seen protein powders with pseudoephedrine in it. That is contained in cold medicines like sudafed which you often see atheletes caught out with.

Poccington wrote: »

Pretty much all modern armies have managed to get by perfectly well without them.

I expect some modern armies do use it. I would be very surprised if some country was not at least testing out performance enhancing drugs on soliders. They issued pilots with amphetamine in WWII and tested all sorts of other drugs out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbvVLGskCQo

Hanley

kevpants wrote: »

They drug test soldiers now? Are steroids etc banned?

Personally I want the people protecting me from invasion to be sacked if they don't have enough steroids in their system.