Athletes taking nutritional supplements to boost their performance are at higher risk of heart ailments, according to a European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
In the paper published in its journal “European Journal of Preventive Cardiology“, the ESC said nutritional supplements are commonly viewed as risk-free substances that may improve performance but some, including various plant and ‘natural’ extracts, may pose a serious health risk and athletes may even risk contravening anti-doping rules.
It stated that most of the athletes who use supplements have no knowledge regarding their effects on sports performance and overall health. “It is reported that most athletes get nutritional advice from coaches, fellow athletes, family members and friends, suggesting that more wide reaching educational interventions, at an early age, are necessary,” the paper noted.
Key points for athletes using nutritional supplements:
- A natural supplement is not necessarily a safe supplement.
- Use products by established manufacturers with known good quality standards.
- Athletes are personally responsible for any substances they consume.
- Ignorance is not accepted as an excuse in relation to a positive doping test.
WADA
The paper outlines the cardiovascular effects during sports of doping substances, prescribed and over the counter medicines, legal performance-enhancing supplements, and experimental drugs. Though World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) maintains a list of prohibited drugs, nutritional substances are not included since many are unregulated and unlicensed. The use of legal supplements by athletes varies between 40% and 100% depending on the sport and level of competition. Intended to enhance performance and give a competitive edge, legal supplements include caffeine, creatine, energy drinks/gels/bars, beetroot juice, and proteins.
First author Dr. Paolo Emilio Adami of World Athletics (global governing body for track and field) noted that Caffeine is a prime example of a natural substance that is considered safe. However, when caffeine improves performance, particularly aerobic capacity in endurance athletes, its abuse may lead to fast heart rate (tachycardia), heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), high blood pressure, and in some cases sudden cardiac death.”
“The ‘more is better’ philosophy, when applied to caffeine use in sports, may result in side effects that outweigh the performance benefits,” states the paper. It pointed out that several elite athletes consume a combination of supplements daily. “Unfortunately, it is common practice for athletes to ignore dosing recommendations and use multiple drugs simultaneously. Sportspeople should be aware that supplement use exposes them to the risk of ingesting prohibited substances since they are regulated as food ingredients and not subject to the rigorous safety standards of pharmaceutical products,”the authors said.
WARNING SIGNS
The document warns that athletes’ desire and consent to use experimental drugs that have not been proven safe in humans is potentially even riskier than using steroids or other prohibited drugs. The ongoing use of selective androgen receptor modulators or peptides “carry a substantial risk for long-term detrimental health consequences, which are usually understated by their promoters,” states the paper. It also highlights that gene doping to improve strength, reduce pain and repair tissues is “expected to occur behind the scenes with limited protective actions and consequently increased health risks” and “constitutes a great threat of major concern about the future of human performance manipulation”.
Dr. Adami said: “In many cases sportspeople use a mix or cocktail of substances to improve their performance and the interaction between them can also be extremely dangerous. All doping substances are risky and their use as medications should only be allowed when prescribed by a physician to treat a medical condition, when no therapeutic alternatives are available, and following the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) requirements. Based on the dose, the duration of use, and the interaction with other substances the health consequences can vary and in some cases be lethal. From a cardiovascular perspective they can cause sudden cardiac death and arrhythmias, atherosclerosis and heart attack, high blood pressure, heart failure, and blood clots.”
“Athletes should be aware that natural supplements and substances are not necessarily safe and should only be used if recommended by professional nutritionists. It is fundamental to use products from well-established manufacturers with known and internationally approved good quality standards.?,” he said
Further Dr Adami said: “Athletes are always personally responsible for any substances they consume. Ignorance is not accepted as an excuse in relation to a positive doping test. In those with established cardiovascular disease, a sports physician or sports cardiologist should always be consulted prior to using any performance aid or supplement.”
