Are sports supplements worth the risk?

Doctors are warning sports supplements could be having undesired effects due to undeclared substances such as androgenic steroids.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority has warned that any supplements may not be safe to use, with almost one in five sports supplements containing banned substances including stimulants and anabolic drugs.

Some supplements have been found to contain large amounts of protein or creatine which can cause raised blood urea or creatinine in an otherwise healthy individual. 

Supplements can be taken for any number of reasons including to gain muscle mass, to lose weight or to improve performance and general health. 

Most people are unaware that long-term supplement use can have adverse effects and even potentially worsen health conditions.

In an article written by Drs Sarah Martin, Miranda Sherley and Associate Professor Malcolm McLeod they warn that people using these products may be putting themselves at risk.

"Problems resulting from sports supplements can be counterintuitive if the motivation for use is to ‘get fit’ and ‘bulk up’. Guidance may be sought online, from blogs, peers or personal trainers rather than from a GP, sports physician or nutritionist.”

They say some supplements contain androgenic steroids, synthetic drugs developed to evade regulatory control, also known as 'designer steroids'. 

There are additional risks involved in taking these 'designer steroids' as there has been little evaluation conducted to determine purity, clinical efficacy or toxicity. 

They are often marketed as pro hormones, natural steroids or testosterone boosters but the use of supplements containing steroids is a growing public health concern.

The use of androgenic steroids could result in an androgen deficiency.

Symptoms of an androgen deficiency could be non-specific such as lethargy, fatigue, low mood, irritability and poor concentration.

More specific problems include male pattern hair loss, acne, liver injury, increased cardiovascular risk, osteopenia or osteoporosis, reduced muscle mass and strength, reduced sexual and reproductive function, with low libido and erectile dysfunction, and infertility may also occur.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority says people need to think about whether supplements are safe, effective or necessary and advises that similar improvements in fitness may be gained through nutrition, training or sleep programs.