Top Reasons for Young Swimmers to Avoid Dietary Supplements
Top Reasons for Young Swimmers to Avoid Dietary Supplements
By Chris Rosenbloom, PhD, RDN, CSSD
You’ve probably read about tennis athlete Maria Sharapova using a banned substance, meldonium. This substance was only recently added to the World Anti-Doing Agency (WADA) banned substance list, and Sharapova said she had been taking it for many years. It is used to treat heart problems, but it also can enhance exercise performance and has been under watch by WADA for a while.
USA Swimming as a strict regarding dietary supplement use and tells all swimmers that if you take supplements you “take at your own risk.” You can read more on the statement at
Even though the policy is clear, and we always take a “food first” approach to fueling performance, I get a lot of questions from parents and swimmers asking for advice on supplements that will help them gain weight, get lean, reduce fatigue and swim faster. So, besides discouragement from your sport governing body and stories of athletes, like Sharapova, losing eligibility and endorsements, here are my top reasons why young athletes should avoid supplements:
Learn more here:
USA Swimming as a strict regarding dietary supplement use and tells all swimmers that if you take supplements you “take at your own risk.” You can read more on the statement at
Even though the policy is clear, and we always take a “food first” approach to fueling performance, I get a lot of questions from parents and swimmers asking for advice on supplements that will help them gain weight, get lean, reduce fatigue and swim faster. So, besides discouragement from your sport governing body and stories of athletes, like Sharapova, losing eligibility and endorsements, here are my top reasons why young athletes should avoid supplements:
Learn more here:
