Athletes taking “natural” supplements to increase their competitiveness have been warned today that their abuse can be harmful.
The European Society of Cardiology said More and more athletes are using untested products that contain substances such as caffeine and creatine to improve their performance.
Despite being legal, nutritional products are often not subject to strict pharmaceutical safety standards.
The ESC warned the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology that such products could pose a “serious health risk” on their own or when mixed with other substances.
Even caffeine, at high doses, can lead to fast heart rate, impaired cardiac rhythm, high blood pressure, and sudden cardiac death, he said.
The ESC also said that drinking cocktails of substances can be “extremely dangerous” because they can interact.
It is also not strictly regulated and may be contaminated with illegal chemicals that violate doping rules.
ESC wants athletes to use the products of “a well-established manufacturer with well-known, internationally recognized and excellent quality standards.”
At least four in ten athletes take legitimate supplements such as energy drinks, over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and experimental medications to gain competitiveness.However, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) warns that these supplements, including plant-based natural extracts such as caffeine, pose a “serious health risk” and can violate anti-doping rules. did
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned performance-enhancing drugs, but does not contain nutritional substances.
However, a study by British drug observers found that dozens of energies and “muscle hypertrophy” sports supplements previously contained steroids, stimulants, and hormones.
The ESC states: ‘Athletes who use supplements are often unaware of their sporting performance and their impact on overall health.
“Most athletes are reported to receive nutritional advice from coaches, fellow athletes, family and friends.”
The panel said it suggests that “at an early age, more extensive educational intervention is needed.”
In a letter published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, ESC states that at least 40% of athletes take legal supplements.
However, it was said that it is a “general habit” for athletes to ignore dosing guidance and take multiple supplements at the same time.
ESC has not named the supplement, but claimed that it could be served in the form of energy drinks, gels, bars and proteins.
Dr. Paolo Emilio Adami, Medical Manager of Health and Sciences at World Athletics and author of the paper, said that caffeine is a “representative” of natural substances that are safe but can be harmful to health if abused. An example. ”
He states: “Caffeine improves performance, especially the aerobic capacity of endurance athletes, but its abuse leads to increased heart rate (tachycardia), impaired cardiac rhythm (arrhythmia), hypertension and, in some cases, sudden cardiac death. There is a possibility.”
The ESC paper states: “When applied to the use of caffeine in sports, the” better “philosophy can have side effects that outweigh the benefits of performance. ”
Dr. Adami said: “Often athletes use a mixture of substances or cocktails to improve their performance, and the interactions between them are also very dangerous.
“All doping substances are dangerous and their use as a drug should only be permitted if the doctor prescribes them to treat the condition in the absence of treatment options.
‘Health effects can vary and are potentially fatal, based on dose, duration of use, and interaction with other substances.
He added: ‘Athletes should be aware that natural supplements and substances are not always safe and should only be used when recommended by a professional dietitian.
“It is essential to use products from well-established manufacturers with excellent known internationally recognized quality standards.”
In addition, the ESC states that athletes taking anabolic steroids have up to 20 times the mortality rate of clean athletes.
And almost one-third of these deaths are caused by heart problems.
And gene doping (injecting DNA into the body to improve strength, reduce pain, and repair tissues) is behind the scenes that “protective effects are limited and, as a result, increased health risks.” It is done.
It is banned by WADA and can include adding a copy of the hormonal gene that triggers the body to make more red blood cells, which can increase endurance.
Androgen receptor modulators or peptides (prohibited substances that increase muscle mass and are included in over 100 supplements) are “usually underestimated by promoters, with a substantial risk of long-term adverse health effects. “Masu,” the paper warns.
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