Aspetar Magazine

95 ASPETAR MAGAZINE NUTRITION & PERFORMANCE How does the portal help in making informed, safe supplement choices? The main goal is to educate and empower athletes. It acts as a preventative tool, helping them avoid the risks of banned substances that can be present in contaminated or poorly regulated products. The portal outlines practical steps to reduce these risks by raising awareness about doping, guiding users on how to choose safer products, and educating them about red flags and misleading marketing claims. While it provides accessible information, it also encourages athletes to seek personalised advice from Aspetar’s sports nutrition experts. Why is it so important for athletes to be cautious with supplement use? Athletes need to be careful because even unintentional mistakes can cause serious problems. Some supplements may contain banned substances or make false claims, and athletes are responsible for everything found in their bodies. Doping can happen unknowingly through contaminated supplements, certain foods, or medicines, which is why staying informed is crucial. If doping is proven, it can lead to suspensions and negatively affect the athlete, their team, and their support staff. To lower these risks, athletes should choose supplements that have been tested by trusted third-party quality programs, which we explain on the portal. However, no certification can guarantee complete safety. Beyond doping risks, some unregulated supplements can also harm an athlete’s health, causing long-term issues. Being cautious helps protect an athlete’s health, reputation, career, and ability to compete. Being cautious helps protect an athlete’s health, reputation, career, and ability to compete. Jwaher Al Neama