Supplements: What you need to know about adding them to your diet

John Coyne, a former Nebraska football player, runs the GNC store in Owasso and oversees nine GNC stores in Oklahoma City. We had a Q-and-A session with John about supplements and what they can do for the body. Here's what he had to say. John Coyne runs the GNC in Owasso and oversee the stores in Oklahoma City. HSSTM: Why would people go to a GNC? JC: Because we have answers. There are specialists there. You have to go talk to someone who knows what they are talking about HSSTM: What are some of the big misperceptions about supplements? JC: Well, people think they can get all the value for their body just by just eating what they have at the house. But athletes have bodies that are under stress. You tax the body a lot by working out and you can't get the right amount of proteins all the time to maintain weight. HSSTM: Are these supplements affordable? JC: One of the best things about protein is that you can get it for less than 50 cents a meal. You can't do that eating out or by buying groceries. HSSTM: Do you have to eat big to get big? JC: You do. If you're an athlete, your body burns so much energy. You have to add supplements just to keep up. HSSTM: Are there any real negatives to adding supplements to your diet? JC: The stuff we sell is basic and approved. We have everything you need. For sports-enhancing stuff, you need protein - things you already have in your body. The problem is when you work out hard, it depletes in your body. We have things like Creatin that are recovering agents. HSSTM: What are the main questions that people ask? JC: Most kids are trying to figure out how to get bigger to build muscle. We have everything natural that doesn't require a prescription. HSSTM: Do you have to have a doctor's approval to get any of these things? JC: What we have is all organic. For example, we give products that are raw to rebuild cartlilage or tissue. You tax your body, we replenish your body. HSSTM: Is this the only way to make it work? Do you have to add supplements? JC: It's really, really hard to eat organic foods all the time. No one lives in a bubble. It's ok to take multi-vitamins. HSSTM: So, it's an accepted practice? JC: We're the fatest country in the world. Its obvious people aren't healthy. It's all about eating clean. You have eat healthy meals and take multi-vitamins to get big. HSSTM: What about steroids? JC: We don't sell steroids or things like that. We don't endorse that sort of thing. When you hear about supplements, usually you are hearing about enhancers, but they're not talking about natural proteins and things like that. We don't sell steroids here. HSSTM: When is it too soon to start taking supplements? JC: Babies are drinking formula, and that's basically a protein shake. If you're an athlete of any sort, at any time it's OK to take something. There are certain things you should hold off on, but for the basic stuff, any age is OK. HSSTM: Is there anything to be worried about with what you get? JC: The best thing is that there are quality tests and proofs on their products here at GNC. You don't have to be worried about what you get. That's why GNC is trusted. You want protein, we have that.