WADA banned substance discovered in dietary supplements and energy drinks

By Published On: May 19th, 2014Comments Off on WADA banned substance discovered in dietary supplements and energy drinks
GEPA/Josef Bollwein

GEPA/Josef Bollwein

One more reason to lay off the energy drinks and non-FDA-approved dietary supplements unless under medical supervision: The Center for Preventive Doping Research at the German Sport University in Cologne has discovered another banned substance not declared on the ingredient list that is a common contaminant in various dietary supplements and energy drinks. 

Oxilofrine belongs to a class of compounds on the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Prohibited List, and its use in competition, even inadvertently, would result in a positive test for banned substances. Oxilofrine is a stimulant and amphetamine chemically related to ephedrine and synephrine. In previous studies, the institute has found other stimulants such as sibutramine and methylhexaneaemine in products advertised as fat burners, neuroenhancers, and pre-training formulas. Oxilofrine was not declared in most products on the ingredient list, and the Australian Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA) has warned of its presence in an energy drink as well. 

The consumption of such food supplements or energy drinks can lead to an inadvertent positive doping test for an athlete and possible harm to health. All national anti-doping agencies warn against the use of dietary supplements unless under medical supervision or the direction of a nutritional counselor because the supplements need to be carefully tested by an independent institution for the presence of prohibited substances, even in trace amounts, to prevent inadvertent doping.

Share This Article

About the Author: SR Staff Report