Supplements
What is a supplement?
A supplement is a product such as vitamin pill, protein shake or an energy drink which you can buy at a supermarket or health food shop. Supplements are designed to enhance the nutrients you would normally get through your diet and come in all sorts of forms such as pills, powders, sachets or liquids.
Why is it a risk for athletes to take them?
All athletes are advised to avoid supplements and know the risks involved with them. This is because they may contain banned substances which can result in a positive drug test. The way supplements are produced means that they can become contaminated during the manufacturing process. Although they may appear fine on the ingredients label, they could be affected as they are not subject to the same rules that food and medications are.
What is UK Anti-Doping’s advice?
At your stage in your sporting career, UK Anti-Doping suggests taking advice from a qualified nutritionist. They can talk to you about how to get the best performance from your diet before you need to supplement it. However, to eliminate the risk of inadvertent doping, it is advised that supplement products are avoided.
