Food supplements: an unintended doping source?

Abstract

The excessive consumption of food supplements, allied to unspecified legislation and inefficient quality control, can put in risk to the consumer’s health because of the possible presence of contaminants, especially prohormones, anabolic steroids, and stimulants. These compounds can enhance sports performance and lead to a number of adverse effects, so they are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Supplement contamination can occur deliberately or through poor manufacturing, in which traces of these substances are found. However, both cases require attention, as a contamination of only 0.00005% in mass can result in doping. Therefore, it is estimated that 6.4% to 8.8% of these cases are related to the consumption of contaminated supplements. Thus, the main objectives of this article were: to review the national and international literature regarding the contamination of food supplements and its relation to unintended doping, as well as to guide consumers to choose safer sources. In this sense, it was possible to observe that national supplements are generally safer in terms of the presence of prohibited substances, especially in relation to contamination of anabolic agents. On the other hand, there is still a need for better quality control regarding the contamination/adulteration of stimulants.

Keywords:
Food supplements; Contamination; Doping; Anabolic steroids; Prohormones, stimulants