The supplement industry is not consistently regulated. This means supplements can:
Contain prohibited substances as their main ingredients
These can be on the ingredients list under the same name that can be searched on the Prohibited List, or an alternative name. For example, Higenamine can be found on the Prohibited List, but this substance can also be called Nandina domestica fruit extract which cannot be found on the Prohibited List.
Be contaminated during the manufacturing process, handling process or in the supply chain of ingredients
When compared to medications, supplements are made, stored and handled with fewer quality assurance measures and lower standards. Internationally, manufacturing practices are inconsistent. All of which means supplements can contain prohibited substances.
Be mislabelled with the contents not matching what is stated
Supplement labels may not include all ingredients found in a product or may incorrectly state ingredient strengths. Some ingredients may also be known by different names, and not all of the names might be listed on the Prohibited List. Unreliable labels mean it is not always possible to check the stated ingredients and be 100% sure the supplement product does not contain prohibited substances.
WARNING! Labels which include wording such as “proprietary blend”, “extreme focus blend” or “testosterone boosting”, or that make claims of extreme benefits or reference to banned substances equivalent, are potential red flags and may indicate a greater risk of containing prohibited substances.
Be falsely advertised with claims that lack supporting evidence
Some supplements falsely claim to be endorsed or approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) or other anti-doping organisations. Neither WADA nor anti-doping organisations endorse or approve supplements. Additionally, some products may advertise themselves as “safe for athlete use” and make unrealistic claims about their benefits.
Alongside the risk of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation, using a product with unknown ingredients in unknown quantities is a potential health risks for athletes.
All of this means athletes should carefully weigh the benefits against the risk and make an informed decision about the use of supplements.
Remember – no supplement is 100% risk-free and use may lead to an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.
For more information on supplement risks, watch this explanation about the risks of supplements by Dr Mark Stuart (Sports Pharmacist, ITA Drugs, Health and Development Senior Manager).