Dietary Supplements Causing Drug Test Failures

Millions of people use dietary supplements on a regular basis, and there are a number of different types of supplements that are used. Most people don’t give using supplements a second thought, but there are now reasons for many people to think twice about their use of some supplements. This holds particular truth for athletes, and some supplements can leave athletes showing positive in drug tests. This means that a person doesn’t even have to be taking any actual drugs, and may not even realize that there is a banned substance in their supplements, and it can lead to a lot of problems for them.

Most athletes are extremely careful about the foods they eat, and everything else that they put into their bodies. But, many athletes use dietary supplements, for a variety of reasons, including making sure that they are getting enough protein in their diets. Studies from Loughborough University show that there are a lot of dietary supplements that have ingredients that although are not actually drugs, they can cause drug test failures. Sadly, many of these ingredients or compounds are not listed on the labels for these products. In fact, many of these products contain tiny amounts of banned substances that could keep many athletes out of the game.

It Doesn’t Take Much to Fail a Drug Test

Drug testing can detect the most minute particles of drugs, and even though there may only be a very small amount of these compounds in dietary supplements, they will still show up on a drug test. The amount of the banned substance in a supplement could be so small that it is not even detected in product testing and analysis, but it will be found if it is in the system of an athlete who is being drug tested. It is important that athletes make sure that they are following healthy diets, and instead of using dietary supplements, getting the nutrients they need from healthy foods.

The Most Common Banned Substance in Dietary Supplements

Professor Ron Maughan stated that there are certain substances that are in many dietary supplements that are actually banned for athletes, including the steroid nandrolone. This is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and athletes who are tested positive for this steroid face punishment, which can include being banned from their sport at the worst, or at the very least, being banned from certain competitions. In studies, various athletes were required to ingest water or a commercial sports bar that had minute particles of the steroid. Although the levels were lower than what is usually scanned during the manufacturing of these supplements, those who ate the sports bars tested positive for nandrolone.

Athletes work hard to achieve their goals, and the last thing they want is to not be able to compete because they have tested positive for drugs, even if they are not knowingly taking those drugs. If you are concerned about what is in the dietary supplements you are using, talk to your physician, and see if there is something else you could be taking that does not contain any banned ingredients that will show positive in a drug test.