Sports Medicine Australia, the peak organisation for professionals in sports medicine and sports science, has urged those considering purchasing performance enhancing products via the internet to think again.
With the recent news that an elite footballer is facing a two year playing ban for inadvertently purchasing a banned substance via the internet, highlights the need for caution to be exercised when dealing with online purchase of supplements.
Sports Medicine Australia spokesperson and sports physician Dr Peter Larkins said with the prevalence of online ‘drug’ shopping at an all time high, all shoppers need to realise the dangers associated with dealing with products such as these in the online space.
“There are a lot of people purchasing products online in the belief of outcomes such as enhanced sporting performance and weight loss,” said Dr Peter Larkins.
“Quite often they are unaware that the products they are purchasing contain banned substances such as anabolic substances and amphetamines.
“Online sites target those looking for a quick fix and often they don’t always disclose their product ingredients raising the prospect of unsuspecting buyers, purchasing masked, harmful and often banned substances.
“Sportspeople, whether at an elite or community level considering purchasing supplements of any kind should be aware that the internet is not the place to buy.
“Supplements should only be purchased from reputable outlets and always be bought in consultation with a suitable sports medicine practitioner or sports dietitian .
“This will ensure that what is purchased is not a waste of money, will not be detrimental to one’s health and not a banned substance” said Dr Peter Larkins.
For more on the dangers of performance enhancing drugs Sports Medicine Australia has developed the CleanEdge website which provides information on all aspects of enhancing sporting performance.
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