Taking Supplements - Don't Take a Shortcut Across a Minefield!
by: Dave Winship @ On The Line

Tennis players, in common with other athletes, are often tempted to take supplements as a kind of shortcut to fitness. They're a convenient way of rehydrating, recovering from soreness or injury, taking in nutrients and correcting deficiencies (e.g. iron deficiency).

These days, sportsmen and sportswomen need to be aware that the area of supplements is a bit of a minefield and you have to watch your step very carefully. Even if you get advice from a doctor, trainer or sports nutritionist, it's you that must take responsibility for ingesting banned substances.

It's worth bearing in mind that this minefield has no map! The people who make or sell supplements do so in order to make a profit. Supplements are regulated in the same way as foods - NOT in the same way as pharmaceuticals. Good marketing is no guarantee that a product is 'clean'. Different countries have different labelling laws. The label you're reading may be inaccurate or incomplete.

As a rough guide, supplements which are advertised as 'muscle building' or 'fat burning' are the most likely to contain a banned anabolic agent or stimulant. Don't be misled by terms such as 'natural' or 'herbal' (and this includes many cold cures, cough medicines and decongestants). You certainly shouldn't use anything from an unknown source, even if you got it from a trainer or another player.

The only safe way to negotiate this minefield is to avoid it altogether. Turn your attention to an appropriate training regime and a healthy, well-balanced nutritional diet. Following a high-carbohydrate diet during a tournament should help to ensure that your body has adequate glycogen stores to help with performance and recovery.

Regards.

Dave Winship