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Student athletes are understandably concerned about performing their best. While many may want to take nutritional supplements, it's a smart idea to do your homework before starting or combining any new supplements.
Absolutely. Individuals who use supplements and participate in organized sports at any level usually have special concerns regarding the potential for the presence of banned substances. Many reports have been published about athletes who took over-the-counter supplements, only to find out later that the products contained a substance not allowed by their sport.
While reading labels is important, it doesn't always provide a complete picture of a product's contents. It's important to do your research before you buy any supplements. Here are a few tips to help:
Learn the risks. Some supplements may contain banned substances that can potentially disqualify students from competitions. Supplements may also contain unhealthy ingredients.
Student athletes especially should avoid supplements that could affect their hormones. In general, they should not take products that increase testosterone or growth hormone levels, which are already high in most teens.
Teens should also watch out for products containing caffeine, ephedra or synephrine, as these stimulants can lead to restlessness, anxiety, racing heart or an irregular heart beat. Mixing supplements or taking them at a higher than recommended dose can also cause problems.
Choose certified products. Even reading a label thoroughly may not provide all the information you need as most dietary supplements are not tested before they are sold to consumers. Third-party certification programs can help confirm that the product contains the ingredients and quantities shown on the label without containing unlisted ingredients or potentially harmful levels of impurities.
Testing under the NSF Certified for Sport® program helps confirm the product does not contain substances banned by many major athletic organizations, including Major League Baseball (MLB), National Football League (NFL), and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports (CCES).
Talk to your health care provider. Before taking any supplement, discuss it with your health care provider. They need to know how a substance works and if there might be any interaction between any of the supplements they are taking.
Student athletes have to consider what is at stake when choosing a dietary supplement, especially with the history of adulteration and contamination that has been reported. At the end of the day, the only person who is responsible for taking a product is the person who ingests it.
For additional information about supplements, visit the NSF Certified for Sport® Web site or contact the NSF Consumer Affairs Office at info@nsf.org.
