Risk of supplement use

A supplement is a manufactured product containing nutrients, herbs, amino acids or other substances that may affect the body. You can usually get them over-the-counter and they are meant to "supplement" your diet. However, supplements can be a major contributor to accidental doping.

Product labels often do not reflect what is actually in the product, and some supplements contain banned substances in sport. In addition to negatively affecting your performance, they may adversely affect your health, and they may result in a “positive” test as well.

Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and coaches must be aware of the associated risks of supplements use due to:

  • Supplements could be contaminated with prohibited substances during its manufacturing process
  • Supplements' ingredients listed on the label can be inaccurate
  • Some ingredients listed on the labels could be written differently as it shows in the WADA Prohibited List
  • Some supplements may make false claims that they have been endorsed or certified by WADA or another Anti-Doping Organisation
  • Some supplements may say they are safe to use or that they do not contain banned substances.
  • Not listing important cautionary information

Athletes must assess the need, risks and consequences before making the decision of taking supplements. The WADA Code makes a provision for contaminated products, so an Athlete must prove that all the measures were undertaken to manage risks associated with supplement use. It is extremely important to be clear to an Athlete that if the athlete decides to take supplements, the athlete will be doing so at their own risk. Remember the principle of Strict Liability means that the athlete is responsible for every banned substance that is found in their body, regardless how it got there.

Many people have the common misconception that supplements are a replacement for food or even superior to food. This is false. If one is eating well and getting the balance of nutrients and energy needed, it is likely that using supplements is unnecessary.

Food is fuel. It is important to optimise your diet to meet the energy demands of training and provide the nutritional requirements. Having a better understanding of food and how it can aid performance in the same way that you understand other elements helping performance, such as effective training, physical conditioning, mental performance training, hydration and recovery strategies is important. Your body also needs micronutrients, vitamins and minerals, that are needed in small amounts. Choosing the right nutrient dense foods can optimise the way your body functions and aid recovery.

Do not hesitate to ask for help from a qualified sport dietician or medical professional, and tell them that you are subject to Anti-doping Rules. They can help inform you about making food choices to get appropriate levels of nutrients. They can also help with meal planning around your training schedule, so you know what to bring to the gym, or what to eat leading up to a competition. They can help find options that work for you to meet your sport goals.

It is important to have a nutritional assessment completed. Medical specialists can help you make an informed decision about supplements by conducting a nutrition assessment, which should include a dietary evaluation, body composition analysis, biochemical testing, health and performance history, and nutrition-focused clinical exam. Use of a supplement should be based on a defined medical need.

Ensure you acknowledge the risk with supplements and take steps to minimise these risks:

  • Conduct thorough research on any supplement you consider using by checking claims and ingredients
  • Choose a batch-tested supplement that has the same manufacturing reference or label as the batch certificate
  • Check with the medical professional before using it to confirm the appropriate dose
  • Monitor your health

REMEMBER: If you test positive, you will have to prove that you have conducted significant research and that the supplement was contaminated. You must show that you took the necessary steps to show what you did to mitigate any risk, and you would still receive a sanction.

We recommend the use of Global Dro to check medications. The Global DRO provides Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel with information about the prohibited status of specific medications based on the current WADA Prohibited List.