Supplementation in Sport

Whether you work with elite athletes or average Joes, you probably get asked about supplements in one form or another, as everyone is always looking for an easier way to get a slight edge. 

Standard advice in this space is almost always to prioritise whole foods for nutrition, as you should get the basics right before we even start talking about supplementation. Some medical conditions require supplementation, and at the elite level, this may mean applying for exemptions. In this brief post, we will focus on a few useful resources for athletes, coaches, and support staff to inform their decision-making. 

Let's jump straight into what's available.

The first area to cover off on is evidence

The Examine group has been my go-to resource for investigating supplements for a long time, and the Australian Institute of Sport also have a reference guide available.

Screening for banned substances

This is getting easier now, thanks to apps such as the two below.

• Aegis Shield, which primarily focuses on products available in the United States

• Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA)

Finding certified products 

Both Human and Supplement Testing Australia (HASTA) and Informed Sport provide lists of products and brands certified free of banned substances. 

Summary

The risk for athletes taking non-certified products is very real, with a 2016 review identifying that almost 1 in 5 commonly consumed supplements in Australia contained banned substances that were not listed on the label. 

While there is no risk of a career-ending band for the average consumer, there are still serious questions about the efficacy of supplements versus whole foods and the quality of supplementation. The best example of this is probably Omega-3, where we now have ample evidence in favour of food sources. 

Referral, when necessary, is essential in the nutrition space, and educating consumers to make informed, safe choices may sometimes be the best we can do.