John Travis
NSF International, Ann Arbor, USA

Abstract

Recent studies conducted by NSF International’s John Travis have found that some supplements in the global market contain harmful ingredients and contaminants, including drugs and untested compounds that are not always listed on the label. His research has also revealed untested and potentially harmful compounds such as DMAA, DEPEA, DMBA and Oxilofrine in over-the-counter supplements. These ingredients are often deceptively labeled as botanical extracts such as geranium oil, dendrobium extract and Poochung tea extract – making it difficult for consumers and athletes to choose a supplement based on ingredient listings alone.
How can athletes and consumers protect themselves from potentially harmful ingredients? What can supplement manufacturers do to ensure their ingredients and finished products are safe? Which ingredients are most commonly associated with untested and potentially harmful compounds? This article explores global public health issues in the sports supplement industry and the important role played by independent testing and certification organizations.

Liverpool football player Mamadou Sakho. Welsh runners Rhys Williams and Gareth Warburton. Canadian Boxing champ Lucian Bute. American football defensive end Rob Ninkovich. Elite athletes all over the world are learning costly lessons: Dietary supplements sometimes contain banned substances and mislabeled ingredients.

While suspension from competition is a major concern for elite athletes, it’s not top of mind for most consumers taking supplements. For most of us, adverse health effects are the greatest concern – and rightly so. At NSF International, we’ve identified ingredients in supplements that can cause liver damage, cardiac arrest and even death.

POTENTIALLY HARMFUL COMPOUNDS FOUND

From 2013 to 2016, I co-authored studies that found some supplements in the global market contain harmful ingredients and contaminants, including drugs and untested compounds that are not always listed on the label. Our research revealed compounds such as dimethylamylamine (DMAA), DEPEA, DMBA and oxilofrine These ingredients are often deceptively labeled as botanical extracts such as geranium oil, dendrobium extract a ...