Testing positive at doping tests has become a topic of much controversy. Many talented athletes have found their careers challenged as their urine samples are found positive for banned substances. But the tragedy is many of them may have taken them unknowingly. This highlights the risk of an athlete taking any medication, food or nutrition supplement without proper insight as to what it is.
Many athletes and coaches are not aware that some dietary supplements can result in a positive doping test.
Can nutrition supplements contain banned substances?
Ideally they should not. But unfortunately they can.
The only way, you can declare the presence of a chemical substance in a commercial product is by having it analysed in an accredited chemical laboratory. Large-scale surveys carried out by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) accredited laboratory showed that sports nutrition supplements can contain substances banned by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA).
One out of six supplements was found to contain banned substances, which were not even documented on the product label.
It means athletes taking these supplements, which appear to be genuine, could test positive for testosterone, for nandrolone or for some other steroids. These results have been confirmed many times and different anabolic steroids have been found in supplements.
How does contamination occur?
It may happen due to accidental cross contamination during the manufacturing process or sometimes deliberate adulteration by the manufacturers to magnify the effects though in a harmful way.
Remember, the amount of these anabolic steroids necessary to produce a positive test is extremely small and contaminated products can easily make you a victim of a positive doping test.
Who takes responsibility for a
positive doping test from
a supplement?
Each athlete is legally responsible if he/she tests positive in a doping test. This principle is called ‘strict liability’ and it applies to all athletes with no room for error. Even though names of banned agents are not listed on the label or the athlete has taken them unintentionally, strict liability means that the athlete is responsible for everything they eat and drink. Simply arguing that you read the label and it did not contain a prohibited compound will not help.
Therefore, athletes and coaches need to be extremely cautious.
What are the prohibited
substances used in sports?
The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) is the governing body for sports and doping control. It has laid down the World Anti-Doping Code with a list of substances that are banned and prohibited for use in sports. The prohibited list is updated annually by the WADA and the 2011 list is valid from January 1, 2011. Athletes and coaches can download the free copy of the World Anti-doping Code (2009) and prohibited list (2011) from the WADA official website (www.wada-ama.org)
According to the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) sports supplement programme, supplements are categorized according to their effectiveness and safety. The following supplements have been grouped as not to be used by athletes since they are banned or are at high risk of being contaminated with substances that could lead to a positive drug test.
- Androstenedione
- 19-norandrostenediol
- 19-norandrostenedione DHEA
- Ephedra
- Strychnine
- Tribulus terrestris & other herbal testosterone supplements
- Glycerol
What about caffeine?
Caffeine can be found in common foods items such as tea, coffee, chocolate and cola drinks. It was removed from the WADA prohibited list in January 2004. Therefore, athletes can enjoy these food items without fear.
How to identify contaminated supplements?
The simplest way is to go through the ingredients listed on the label or information leaflet. Unfortunately, the product may still contain compounds that are not listed.
How to minimize the risk of positive doping test due to supplements?
If you are currently taking a supplement, you could be at risk of a positive doping test. Yet, this does not discourage you from using supplements when there is a need.
These simple rules may help you to stay safe.
- Use good food choices every time instead of supplements. They are the best solution.
- Limit the use of supplements or do not use supplements at all.
- If you still want to use a supplement, conduct the best possible cost-benefit analysis before using it. Even a small risk of a positive doping test has to be balanced by an extremely strong evidence of a benefit on performance. If there is any doubt at all, don’t take it.
- Do not solely rely on the claims and information given on the product labels. They may mislead you.
- Do not try to take supplements on your own without supervision.
- Get assistance and advice from a reliable and qualified professionals in the field such as a sports medicine physician/doctor before taking supplements
Value of good food choices
Sports nutrition supplements can be useful only for selected athletes in specific situations. Supplements are only a short-term solutions and not a substitute for a good diet or do not compensate for poor food choices and an inadequate diet. Remember, good food choices are the best solution.
“Athletes contemplating the use of supplements and sports foods should consider their efficacy, their cost, the risk to health and performance, and the potential for a positive doping test.”
IOC Consensus Statement on Sports Nutrition (Lausanne, 2003)
(The writer is a graduate in Sports Nutrition -International Olympic Committee (IOC)) |
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