What You Should Do?
- All athletes should do a risk-benefit assessment if they are considering the use of supplements.
- The first step of such an assessment is to consider whether a "food-first" approach meets the athlete’s needs.
- Whenever possible, such an assessment should be done with the support of a certified nutritionist/dietician who is familiar with the anti-doping system.
How do Athletes Reduce the Risk of Taking Supplements?
If, after careful consideration, an athlete chooses to use supplements, they must take the necessary steps to minimize the risks. This includes:
- Select supplements only when a benefit is likely – this should be done with the assistance of a certified nutritionist/dietician who can properly assess the athlete's needs.
- Select supplements that have been batch-tested by reliable third-party testing agencies like Informed Sport, Certified for Sport, or Kölner Liste.
- Remember, no supplement is 100% risk-free but athletes and Athlete Support Personnel can take certain steps to minimize these risks.
