Hello Friends,
I hope you had an awesome week. I am back with a shocking (and slightly concerning) fact + advice that might change how you look at your supplements. If you are enthusiastic about nutritional or pre-workout supplements, you don’t want to miss this tip.
While supplements can be a convenient addition to a balanced diet, there’s a hidden cost you might not be aware of.
Here’s the Truth
10-30% of all supplements marketed as anabolic, performance-enhancing, weight-reducing, or fat-burning are contaminated. Contaminated by what, you may ask?
Well, the FDA looked at the range of contaminants in the supplements includinglaxatives, antidepressants, and even drugs that were no longer prescribed due to safety concerns.
As scary as this sounds,
26% of athletes who failed their drug tests claimed that the banned drug came from a supplement they used. And they had evidence to back this claim up.
The reason why is supplements, unlike pharmaceutical drugs, do not need to go through the rigorous testing and clinical trials. A regulatory agency only intervenes after an adverse effect has been reported.
Now the question is, should you continue taking your supplements?
One Tip, One Week, One Change
If you know that your supplement has proven and reliable benefits that can help you get to your goals, sure. But you need to be careful of the risk. Look for products that have been tested by reputable third-party organizations like NSF International or USP Verified. If your supplements lack proven benefits or third-party verification, it might be worth reconsidering their use because those risks cannot be eliminated. They can only be minimized.
This week, take a moment to re-evaluate your supplements. Do they truly support your goals, or are they just a marketing gimmick? Do your research and decide to stay informed, fit, and safe from harmful contaminants.
P.S. Want more science-backed tips like this one? Sign up for my newsletter and get one simple, actionable tip each week that can make a big difference in your health and fitness journey.