Table 6.

Suggestions for supplement users: dos and don’ts.

What Athletes Should Do:

Identification of low micronutrient status as a part of dietary assessment, for example by measuring 25-OH-D levels (vitamin D status) and hemoglobin and ferritin levels (iron status) in the blood, possibly extended with using the most appropriate evaluation measurements for other vitamins. Proper selection of dietary supplements that are complementary to the daily diet. Daily use of 5–25 mcg vitamin D and a low-dosed multivitamin (50%–100% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RI)) to guarantee meeting the recommendations. Make use of available quality assurance programs for dietary supplements, sports nutrition products and ergogenic aids (i.e., informed choice for the US, informed sport for UK, Koelner Liste for Germany or Nederlands Zekerheidssysteem Voedingssupplementen Topsport (NZVT) for the Netherlands). All athletes making use of nutritional supplements (i.e., dietary supplements, sport nutrition products and ergogenic aids) should make a table summarizing the totals of all supplements and nutrients consumed per day and cross check this with a sport dietitian/nutritionist.

What Athletes Should Not Do:

Irregular use or not well-considered use of nutritional supplements in disagreement with scientific consensus. Supplement high doses of so-called antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin A (or b-carotene), vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium, but instead consume a well-balanced diet containing antioxidant-rich foods. Exceed defined Upper Limits for single nutrients by using extremely high-dosed dietary supplements or by combining multiple products. Make use of any products that are subject to adulteration and contamination.