Dietary supplements and athletes: 5 things to know now

At the 2014 Sochi Olympics, a German biathlete and an Italian bobsledder tested positive for substances banned by the World-Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) — methylhexanamine and dimethhylamphetamine. Both athletes had ingested these substances as part of a dietary supplement they had been led to believe was free of contaminants. However, some banned substances are susceptible to inadvertent use because the manufacturers list them under less recognizable names on the product label. Both athletes were stripped of their medals. In other cases, athletes’ use of banned substances is more intentional. Scores of Russian athletes have been banned from competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics following an independent report of a systemic, state-run doping program. (Doping refers to the use of banned/illegal performance enhancing drugs.) Each individual athletic association typically has a list of banned or illegal substances that can be easily accessed by all athletes. Regardless of whether or not a particular substance is banned, or ingestion is inadvertent or systemic, dietary supplements can present a problem for athletes, coaches and parents. Diet, dietary supplements and athletes As a registered dietitian, I meet with dozens of young athletes weekly whose goal is to excel at their respective sport. I work with them to optimize their diets to support healthy development as well as optimal performance and energy balance for sport. Most adolescent athletes have not yet mastered the proper...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Health & Wellness Teen Health dietary supplements performance-enhancing drugs Source Type: news