Dietary supplements containing prohibited substances: A review (Part 2)

Authors

  • Pieter van der Bijl Emeritus Professor and Former Head, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa; and Invited Foreign Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Pirigov’s Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia

Abstract

The role of prohormones, ‘classic’ and ‘designer’ steroids, clenbuterol, peptide hormones and newer molecules causing concern in dietary supplements is discussed. Apart from their potential adverse effects on athletes’ health, their non-achievement of increased strength and muscle size, trace quantities present in contaminated dietary supplements can lead to failed doping tests. The methodologies used for the identification and determination of prohibited substances in very low concentrations, mainly liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, are also addressed. Of concern is the anticipation that the number of dietary supplements containing (not yet) prohibited designer steroids and other performance-enhancing newer chemical entities will increase. Athletes, coaches and sports doctors should therefore be provided with information regarding dietary supplements and be advised to minimise risks for non-intentional ingestion of forbidden substances by using safe products listed on databases, such as those obtainable in The Netherlands and Germany. 

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Author Biography

Pieter van der Bijl, Emeritus Professor and Former Head, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa; and Invited Foreign Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Pirigov’s Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia

BSc Hons (Chem), BSc Hons (Pharmacol), BChD, PhD, DSc

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Published

2014-10-15

How to Cite

van der Bijl, P. (2014). Dietary supplements containing prohibited substances: A review (Part 2). South African Journal of Sports Medicine, 26(3), 87–90. Retrieved from https://journals.assaf.org.za/index.php/sajsm/article/view/104

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 3 (2014)

Section

Invited Review

License

Copyright (c) 2014 South African Journal of Sports Medicine

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The South African Journal of Sports Medicine reserves copyright of the material published. The work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) International License. Material submitted for publication in the South African Journal of Sports Medicine is accepted provided it has not been published elsewhere. The South African Journal of Sports Medicine does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors.