Athletes use dangerous supplements

The use of dietary supplements is entirely common in modern society. Studies point out that their consumption is continuously increasing [1], and it's no secret that athletes, who consume them on average much more than the general population, seek to leverage their potential in attempts to maximize physical performance. The significance of supplements lies primarily in enabling the intake of substances they contain in amounts we are either unable or unwilling to provide through regular nutrition. They thus have their importance, but only until they start being abused. If their dosage exceeds the recommended level, or if they are combined inappropriately, they can seriously threaten the user's health. At least, this is what the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) claims, which examined the impact of certain performance-enhancing supplements used by athletes on their hearts. [2]

The findings were quite serious. Apart from some herbal extracts potentially containing doping substances, thus leading athletes to (often unknowingly) risk violating anti-doping rules, their use can also pose a life-threatening risk.

The most commonly preferred substances in sports supplementation include caffeine, creatine, energy drinks/gels/bars, and proteins. The greatest strain on the heart is posed by products containing caffeine, which ESC representatives highlight. Caffeine is a natural substance generally considered safe. It enhances performance in athletes, particularly aerobic capacity in endurance activities. Unfortunately, it is increasingly evident that its misuse can lead to rapid heart rate (tachycardia), cardiac rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), high blood pressure, and in some cases, sudden cardiac death.

The main issue is that most athletes receive nutritional advice from coaches, their sports colleagues, or friends who lack knowledge about their effects on sports performance and health. In the spirit of the proverb "More means better," inappropriate handling of caffeine results in side effects that outweigh the performance benefits. Unfortunately, this involves not only exceeding recommended dosages but also combining caffeine with other substances, where the resulting interactions between them enhance their undesirable effects. 

When choosing suitable supplementation, athletes often rely on the list of banned substances provided by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The problem here is that most nutritional substances are not registered as harmful, indirectly encouraging their excessive use. Interestingly, deaths among athletes using anabolic steroids are estimated to be 6-20 times higher than among clean athletes, with approximately 30% of these deaths attributed to cardiovascular causes. Experts from the ESC warn that athletes' willingness to use experimental products whose safety is inadequately proven might be potentially even riskier than using steroids or other banned substances.

This situation is difficult to resolve. Although there is an option for systematic education of athletes and coaches, there will always be those for whom the pursuit of performance and fame outweighs reason and concern for their health.

Every athlete is personally responsible for everything they consume. Therefore, they should carefully and thoughtfully choose what they will use. Generally, it is advisable to prefer products from established manufacturers that present good quality standards. Additionally, athletes should recognize that the natural origin of a supplement is not a guarantee of its safety.