Can dietary supplements improve the performance of amateur athletes?

Are Pills and Pülverchen really necessary for amateur athletes?

Exercising is healthy. Regular exercise can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure and is helpful in losing weight. However, dietary supplements that are supposed to increase athletic performance or promise other benefits are not needed.

Almost every third German takes supplements

About every third adult in Germany regularly takes supplements, of which about a quarter more than one product per day. According to experts, such funds are often just rip-offs, but some are also associated with health risks. Many who take such pills and Pülverchen are people who want to increase the athletic performance. But amateur athletes do not need nutritional supplements.

Dietary supplements that are supposed to increase athletic performance or promise other benefits can be safely left in the store, according to consumer advocates. (Image: blackzheep / fotolia.com)

More need for proteins, vitamins and minerals

Dietary supplements for athletes contain, for example, vitamins and minerals, protein or L-carnitine.

Such remedies are advertised, among other things, with increased performance, muscle growth, faster recovery or help with cramps.

Anyone who, as a recreational athlete, is sufficiently and variedly nourished, does not need pills and powder, the consumer center in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern reports in a statement.

Due to their increased energy consumption, athletes usually eat more than non-athletes anyway and thus easily cover the increased demand for proteins, vitamins and minerals.

Other experts also frequently point out that natural protein intake is sufficient in conventional sports.

You do not necessarily eat eggs, steaks and Co., vegetable proteins are also suitable.

Performance increase only in the case of existing defect

Although claims such as "Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function" or "Vitamin B6 reduces fatigue and fatigue" suggest an advantage, supplementing with vitamins or minerals can only improve performance if there is a deficiency.

However, an additional intake beyond the requirements does not lead to a further improvement in performance.

Expensive and ineffective

L-carnitine is also often advertised. As the Consumer Center explains, this is a substance that the body forms itself.

We also eat it with food, especially meat. The intake of L-carnitine is not only expensive, but also ineffective.

For an improvement in endurance performance or fat burning by the intake of L-carnitine has not been scientifically proven.

Overdoses can lead to health problems

Anyone who still wants to take supplements should be aware that overdoses can lead to health problems.

In addition, care should be taken with products from dubious sources on the Internet.

Especially if these come from non-European countries, they could turn out to be drugs or doping drugs. (Ad)