Information on Supplements

The following information is endorsed by the Medical, Scientific and Welfare Committee of the GAA and is used courtesy of the Irish Sports Council.

                          -----------------------------------------------------

Sports supplements are commonly used by athletes in the hope of maximising the benefits of participating in sport. Understandably sports people can be confused about the issues around sports supplements. It is important to remember that there are risks associated with supplement use.

The Irish Sports Council recommends against the use of sports supplements for the following reasons:

• We believe that a correct dietary and nutritional regime will provide all the potential benefits of sports supplements.
• We believe that, given the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rule on strict liability, elite athletes are opening up the possibility of inadvertent positive tests by taking supplements.
• We believe it is inappropriate for any junior athlete or player to be taking supplements that could have an impact on their physical development.

General Advice

Do:

• Follow a dietary plan that will allow you to adapt your eating and drinking practices to maximise your performance.
• Seek advice from a professional such as a Sports Dietician (e.g. a Member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute MINDI, www.indi.ie) before taking any supplement.
• Make sure that the professional is familiar with the WADA Prohibited List.
• Remember that dietary alteration may replace the need for any particular supplement.
• Remember that there is a variable level of risk associated with supplements. Vitamins and minerals produced by reputable pharmaceutical companies especially those with a product authorisation (PA) number are less likely to be associated with health risks or inadvertent drug tests.
• Check if these products are listed on www.eirpharm.com (for products bought in the Republic of Ireland) or www.uksport.gov.uk (for products bought in Northern Ireland).
• Be aware that supplements which claim to be muscle building or fat burning are more likely to be associated with contamination with anabolic steroids, stimulants and other contaminants.
• Always remember that there are no quick fixes for improving sports performance.

Do Not:

• Do not take a supplement just because a team mate or a competitor is taking it or recommends it.
• Do not take any supplements made by a company which also manufactures substances which are on the WADA Prohibited List due to the risk of cross contamination.
• Do not take any supplements that make claims that sound too good to be true. Always validate product claims through non-biased sources.
• Do not take any supplements made by a company which in the past has been associated with positive drugs tests.
• Do not buy supplements either over the internet or through magazines as they are more likely to be associated with an increased risk of inadvertent doping, adverse health effects and other associated problems.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose - Remember more is not always better. Excessive use of one vitamin or mineral can have a negative impact on the availability or absorption of another. The recommended daily allowances (RDA) for vitamins and minerals should be used as a guide in determining nutritional needs.

To read more about the Supplements and Sports Food Policy 2009, please download the policy from the below.

If you wish to report a supplement or sports food that you have concerns about, please contact that Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Abbey Court, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. Tel: + 353 1 817 1300, Fax +353 1 817 1301, Email info@fsai.ie; www.fsai.ie

Downloads

Supplements and Sports Foods Policy 2009 Microsoft Word Version
Supplements and Sports Food Policy 2009 PDF Version