Post last updated May 20, 2019.
Among athletes and consumers alike, there is often a misconception that dietary supplements are safe because they go through a robust vetting process like medicines and medical devices. Unfortunately, that couldn’t be farther from the truth, as supplements are regulated in a post-market manner, meaning that no regulatory body evaluates the contents or safety of supplements before they hit the shelves at major retailers like grocery stores and GNCs.
Because of these misconceptions and the nature of the supplement industry, a number of myths about supplements have arisen, which is especially problematic for athletes. Here are just a few of the most common supplement myths and truths that athletes need to know:
Myth #1: “There’s nothing banned on the supplement label so it’s safe.”
Truth:
Supplement labels are notoriously unreliable. There are hundreds of examples of supplements that have misidentified prohibited substances on the label, or omitted prohibited substances from the label altogether. For example, there are numerous supplements on the USADA High Risk List that didn’t list a prohibited substance on the label, but testing confirmed the presence of one or more banned drugs.
Similarly, it would be wrong for a coach, trainer, or store clerk to assume they can look at the product and tell you it’s safe, so be wary of these assurances and reevaluate your athlete support staff accordingly.
Myth #2: “This supplement is approved by USADA.”
Truth:
Neither USADA or WADA approve any dietary supplements. If you ever see a supplement advertised as USADA-approved or WADA-approved, the manufacturer is intentionally misleading you and you should not use the product. You can also notify USADA about the supplement at drugreference@usada.org.
Myth #3: “The FDA removes dangerous supplements from shelves.”
Truth:
The FDA has the right to force a recall of dietary supplements in some instances. However, a recall often occurs only after many months (or years) of trying to resolve safety issues by other means. And once a product is recalled, it depends on each retailer to remove the product from the shelves. In some cases, dietary supplements with illegal or dangerous ingredients have remained on shelves for years despite FDA warnings and recall efforts. Moreover, people who previously bought the product are often never notified.
Myth #4: “The label has a testing seal on it, so it’s fine.”
Truth:
Some companies invent a pretty decal or seal that “guarantees” a product is safe or free of prohibited substances. Instead of taking these decals at face value, do research to make sure there is actually a testing program behind the seal. Read USADAs current recommendation on third-party certification.
Myth #5: “If I test positive from a supplement, I won’t get in trouble.”
Truth:
This assumption is completely inaccurate. In many instances, even if an athlete has demonstrated that their positive test likely originated from a contaminated dietary supplement, they have still received a sanction under the rule of strict liability. Athletes are fully responsible for what’s in their system at the time of testing, so the only way to have zero risk from contamination, is to use zero supplements.
Be an Informed Consumer
Even when using supplements that seem low-risk, there are serious risks for athletes when it comes to supplements. Be an informed consumer, question your reasons for using supplements, and don’t forget these resources:
- Visit Supplement Connect
- Visit NSF Certified For Sport®
- Check USADA’s Supplement High Risk List
- Get supplement updates on USADA’s Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram