Nutritional Supplements

Athletes Bear Full Responsibility

Nutritional supplements present a doping risk as they may be contaminated with prohibited substances.

Athletes bear full responsibility for samples reporting a positive test due to prohibited substances contained in nutritional supplements they have taken. A reduction of the sanctions is only possible, if the athletes can prove that they have taken all precautionary measures to reduce the associated doping risk.

This risk can never be ruled out completely. Athletes should therefore only use nutritional supplements following an individual assessment of the benefits and risks. The basic principles are:

  • Healthy basic diet and needs assessment by a specialist
  • Take account of exclusion criteria and tips for reducing risk

Nutrition in Sport

Athletic performance is rooted in a healthy basic diet. It may make sense to adapt calorie levels depending on the sport, or to select specific foods to ensure an optimum supply of energy and nutrients.

Food pyramid for sport

Nutritional supplements can complement basic nutrition in order to aid individual and sport-specific needs, but should never be used as a substitute for a healthy basic diet. The use of nutritional supplements should be determined by a specialist and considered only where really necessary.

Supplements

The supplement guide issued by the Swiss Sports Nutrition Society SSNS provides information on nutritional supplements and divides them into categories. Under category A, it lists supplements, which might be appropriate in certain situations.

SNSS Supplement Guide

If you have any questions concerning sports nutrition, do not hesitate to contact SSNS: contact(a)ssns.ch.

Reducing Risk

The only way to avoid the risk of contaminated nutritional supplements completely is to avoid using these products. Unlike medication, nutritional supplements are not regulated by the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products Swissmedic and have therefore lower quality requirements. Swiss Sport Integrity would therefore never classify any nutritional supplement as risk-free or safe.

How can I assess supplements and best reduce my risk?

The following scale can help assess supplements and identify and avoid products posing a risk.

Supplements risk reduction overview

No supplement, no risk

The only way to avoid the risk of contaminated nutritional supplements completely is to avoid using these products.

Focus on a healthy, balanced diet and clarify your individual needs with an independent expert. 
Find an independent specialist

A specific need (e.g. lack of a vitamin) can, depending on the substance, also be covered by the use of a medication containing this substance. These can be checked with the medication inquiry service Global DRO.

Supplements risk reduction: no supplements, no risk

Low risk

If the use of a nutritional supplement is recommended by a specialist, preferably opt for products that are independently certified.

We are aware of the following reliable certification programs:

Supplements risk reduction: low risk – certification

Low risk

If you are not choosing a certified product, favour the use of products intended for competitive sports of reliable Swiss Manufacturers.

Supplements risk reduction: low risk: products for competitive sports of reliable Swiss manufacturers

Medium risk

Exclusion Criteria – for safety reasons, do not take the following products

  • Avoid ordering products from abroad: Websites with a .ch domain do not necessarily sell Swiss products.
  • Avoid lifestyle products.
Supplements risk reduction: medium risk – lifestyle products

High risk

Hands off! Avoid such products at all costs

  • Avoid products intended for the fitness or bodybuilding market.
  • Avoid products which make big claims: the greater the promised effect, the greater the risk.
Supplements risk reduction: high risk – big claims of effectiveness

High risk

Hands off! Avoid such products at all costs

  • Avoid products which use terms such as testo, anabo, andro, boost, etc.
  • Avoid products which claim to be doping-free, for example, "guaranteed doping-free", "100% doping free", "WADA approved", etc. 

Prohibited substances have already been found to be contained in muscle growth products (anabolic steroids), as well as Fat Burners and Neuro Enhancers (stimulants).

Supplements risk reduction: high risk – products using terms such as testo, anabo, boost

Medications containing vitamins and minerals

Various vitamins and minerals are also available as medications. These can be checked with the medication inquiry service Global DRO. In Switzerland, for example, the following vitamins and minerals are available as medication:

  • calcium
  • iron
  • magnesium
  • multivitamins and multiminerals
  • vitamin B12
  • vitamin C
  • vitamin D3
  • zinc

Seek advice from a specialist and choose primarily registered medications if you have a specific need. A selection of medications containing vitamins and minerals can be found in the the List of permitted medications for common ailments 2025 (German and French).

Certification Programs

Manufacturers can have their nutritional supplements tested for contamination with prohibited substances. Products listed on the websites of the following certification programs have been analyzed in accordance with their guidelines and testing programs. This is the best way of reducing the doping risk, although it does not eliminate it entirely.

Cologne List

NSF Sport

Informed Sport

Doping Risk

Nutritional supplements may contain prohibited substances, which are not declared as ingredients on the packaging. It can be assumed that 5 to 20% of products worldwide are contaminated with substances prohibited according to the Prohibited List (Vernec et al., 2013). Contamination may occur, for example, in contaminated production facilities, or prohibited substances may be added deliberately to increase the effect of the product. There have been several cases in the past in which athletes were suspended from sport because of supplements contaminated with prohibited substances.

Health Risks

In addition to any possible contamination with prohibited substances, other contaminants (e.g. heavy metals or microbial load) may also be present. Health risks may also occur as a result of high dosages of nutritional supplements. The athlete’s personal needs should therefore be clarified with an independent specialist, and this advice then followed.

Doping Mentality

According to various studies, the regular and habitual use of nutritional supplements can lead to a doping mentality (Backhouse et al., 2013). For example, a subconscious psychological dependence on energy drinks can emerge if such a drink is consumed before each training session. The frequent consumption of nutritional supplements has been linked to a higher probability of the deliberate use of prohibited substances or methods further down the line.

Support and Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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