The food supplements for sports are far from automatic. Quite the contrary. The National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Security (ANSES) is sending a caution to all those who would be tempted to use supplements aimed at muscle development or the reduction of fat mass as part of their sporting activity. These can present health risks, warns ANSES.
This note comes as the agency has collected 49 reports of adverse effects potentially related to the intake of supplements intended to increase muscle mass or decrease fat mass. The cases reported were mainly cardiovascular (tachycardia, arrhythmia and stroke) and psychological (anxiety disorders and mood disorders).
Also in the sights of the agency: food supplements containing caffeinebefore and during a sporting activity, as well as the concomitant consumption of several food supplements or their combination with drugs.
In view of the suspicions, ANSES strongly advises against these food supplements for populations at risk, namely: people with cardiovascular risk factors or suffering from heart disease or impaired renal or hepatic function or even disorders. neuropsychiatric, to children, adolescents and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
No supplements without seeking the advice of a health professional
Not harmless, supplements for sports people must be requested from a trained health professional, in particular in sports nutrition, advises ANSES. The doctor can advise as needed (sport competition, resumption of sport, mass gain, fatigue, etc.).
The effectiveness of these products for athletes is not scientifically proven, adds ANSES. “The absence of scientifically demonstrated efficacy data makes the expected benefits of these food supplements very highly hypothetical, thus making the value of products containing them highly questionable in view of the risks incurred”.
The agency warns against buying these food supplements on the Internet. Buyers are more exposed to the risk of “fraudulent or adulterated products, which may lead to positive anti-doping controls and induce health effects”. To prevent unpleasant surprises, athletes must remain vigilant about the composition of supplements and favor products that comply with the AFNOR NF V 94-001 standard (July 2012) “as well as the supply circuits best controlled by the public authorities ( compliance with French regulations, traceability and identification of the manufacturer) “, points out the health agency.
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