Opinion on Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements are products used to complement the diet and provide additional nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids, herbal extracts, and other ingredients. They are available in various forms, including powders, capsules, tablets, or liquids, and are used to improve physical or mental functions of the body, particularly in sports activities.
Yes, athletes—especially those engaged in professional or intensive training—frequently use dietary supplements. According to available data, between 40–70% of athletes include supplements in their nutritional regimen. Supplementation has become an almost standard practice among athletes, aimed at optimizing performance, recovery, and overall health.
According to the latest research published on the official website of the International Olympic Committee (Maughan R., IOC Consensus Statement: Dietary Supplements and the High-Performance Athlete, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2018), the use of supplements in sport:
• Varies across different sports
• Increases with higher training and competition intensity
• Increases with age
• Is more common among men than women
• Is strongly influenced by the sporting environment and broader cultural context
If basic principles of supplementation are not respected, supplements may become an obstacle to sporting success rather than a supportive factor.
When it comes to supplement safety and quality, transparency of the manufacturer and certification are of key importance. It is recommended to use products from reputable and well-established companies that adhere to strict manufacturing standards and possess quality certifications. Products labeled as “doping free” and tested in accredited laboratories reduce the risk of contamination with prohibited substances.
For additional safety, athletes may verify supplements certified by relevant organizations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which prescribe strict guidelines and testing procedures to ensure product safety and purity.
Dietary supplements imported into Montenegro are subject to specific rules and procedures to ensure safety and compliance with legislation. Product verification includes several key aspects:
1. Registration and mandatory documentation
Importers are required to submit appropriate documentation, including:
• Certificates of safety and quality issued by the manufacturer or distributor
• Documentation on product composition, including active and auxiliary ingredients
• Instructions for use, including recommended daily intake, contraindications, and potential side effects
2. Product inspection
Health inspection authorities may conduct sampling and analysis to detect harmful substances such as:
• Prohibited stimulants (e.g., ephedrine, sibutramine)
• Toxins or contaminants
• Ingredients that are not clearly declared or may cause allergic reactions
3. Compliance with EU and Montenegrin legislation
Imported supplements must comply with food safety laws and European Union regulations governing dietary supplements, which regulate:
• Product safety
• Labeling (accurate composition, instructions for use, expiration date)
• Withdrawal of products from the market if deemed unsafe or non-compliant
4. Market surveillance and complaints
If a product on the market is found to be non-compliant or causes adverse effects, competent authorities (such as the Ministry of Health and the Food Safety Agency) may withdraw the product, ban its sale, and impose sanctions on importers and distributors.
Unfortunately, yes. Supplements may be contaminated with prohibited substances either accidentally or intentionally. Contamination may occur due to poor manufacturing practices or inadequate equipment cleaning. In some cases, smaller companies that are not subject to strict quality control may unknowingly use raw materials containing prohibited substances such as anabolic steroids, stimulants, or other illegal compounds.
Research indicates that between 12–58% of supplements may be contaminated with prohibited substances. Therefore, athletes must exercise extreme caution when choosing supplements.
If an athlete decides to use supplements, it is recommended to choose products from well-known and reputable brands, as they usually maintain higher manufacturing standards and present a lower risk of contamination. Although even trusted manufacturers are not completely immune to contamination, their products are generally safer than those from lesser-known companies.
Additionally, supplements marketed for muscle mass gain or “fat burning” may carry a higher risk of contamination and should be approached with particular caution.
Athletes must be aware that responsibility for any positive doping result always lies with them. Regardless of whether a supplement is contaminated accidentally or intentionally, the athlete bears full responsibility. Therefore, careful supplement selection and awareness of risks are essential.
According to the Law on Sport and WADA guidelines, all athletes competing at the international level must be informed about the potential risks associated with insufficiently tested supplements. This law also mandates doping testing, which includes not only prohibited substances but also potential contaminants found in supplements.
Positive doping results represent one of the greatest fears among athletes, and this risk is often associated with dietary supplement use. According to the latest research published by WADA, athletes and their support personnel identified nine key “vulnerability factors” that significantly influence decisions regarding supplement use.
Risk factors and education as key elements
The greatest fear related to positive doping results is associated with supplements. Athletes emphasized that one of the main reasons for concern is unclear or incomplete ingredient labeling, which increases the risk of unintended contamination. Lack of precise information, insufficient regulation, and limited professional guidance significantly elevate the risk of accidental doping violations.
for athletes and support personnel therefore play a crucial role and should include topics such as: Educational programs
• Understanding supplement composition
• Identifying safe products
• Guidance on “purity testing” data (e.g., Informed-Sport and Informed-Choice certifications)),
• Risks of contamination with undeclared substances
These programs help athletes make informed decisions, recognize common risks, and protect themselves from potential violations.
Supplement use is increasingly linked to positive doping results due to several factors:
1. Undeclared ingredients
Many supplements may contain substances not listed on labels that are included on the WADA Prohibited List.. labels that are included on the WADA Prohibited List.
2. Poor manufacturing and contamination
Products manufactured under inadequate quality control may be contaminated during production.
3. Accessibility and convenience
Busy lifestyles and performance pressure may lead athletes to use supplements without adequate professional consultation.
4. Sport culture and pressure
Sport culture and pressure In certain sports, strong cultural pressure exists to use performance-enhancing supplements, especially among young athletes.
Fear of positive doping results is not only linked to physical contamination but also to psychological pressure. Professional sport’s dependence on results, strict anti-doping rules and public scrutiny can cause significant stress, even when risks are unintended.
How to minimize risk?
1. Education and awareness
Athletes and support staff must be continuously educated and informed about supplement risks. (e.g., Informed-Sport and Informed-Choice certifications).
2. Ingredient verification
Athletes should consult qualified professionals and verify product testing and certification.
3. Application of the principle of strict liability
Athletes are fully responsible for any substance entering their body.
The use of dietary supplements in sport is not only a health-related issue but also a matter of athlete safety in the context of anti-doping rules. Although supplements can provide benefits in improving performance, they can also carry significant risks if used without awareness of potential contamination and unknown ingredients. Education, caution, and responsibility are key to minimizing these risks and ensuring athlete safety on the field.
1. Education and awareness
Athletes and support staff must be continuously educated and informed about supplement risks. (e.g., Informed-Sport and Informed-Choice certifications).
2. Ingredient verification
Athletes should consult qualified professionals and verify product testing and certification.
3. Application of the principle of strict liability
Athletes are fully responsible for any substance entering their body.
The use of dietary supplements in sport is not only a health-related issue but also a matter of athlete safety in the context of anti-doping rules. Although supplements can provide benefits in improving performance, they can also carry significant risks if used without awareness of potential contamination and unknown ingredients. Education, caution, and responsibility are key to minimizing these risks and ensuring athlete safety on the field.
Certificates stating that a supplement is “DOPING FREE” significantly reduce risk but do not provide a 100% guarantee. Complete elimination of contamination risk is not possible.
However, certifications such as (e.g., Informed-Sport ili Informed-Choice certifications)can help athletes select safer products.
1. Međunarodni olimpijski komitet (IOC)
• Maughan, R. (2018). IOC Consensus Statement: Dietary Supplements and the High-Performance Athlete. British Journal of Sports Medicine..
2. Svjetska antidoping agencija (WADA)
· World Anti-Doping Agency. (n.d.). WADA Prohibited List..
• WADA Anti-Doping Guidelines Anti-Doping Guidelines
3. Laboratorijski sertifikati
• Informed-Sport Certification Informed-Sport – Testing Supplements for Doping Contamination.
• Informed-Choice Certification Informed-Choice – Certified Safe Supplements for Athletes.
4. Zakonodavstvo Crne Gore
• Ministry of Health of Montenegro (2021). Food Safety Law
• Food Safety Agency of Montenegro (2020). Regulations on Dietary Supplements
Supplement:
Vitamin C – 1000
Now
https://www.apotekasrbotrade.rs/srpski/proizvod/Now-vitamin-C-1000-100-tableta
Opinion:
The declared composition of this supplement does not contain substances prohibited under the 2025 Prohibited List.
(Opinion issued in 2025)
Supplement:
Glutamine
All stars
https://supplementstore.rs/all-stars-glutamin-powder-300g
Opinion:
The declared composition of this supplement does not contain substances prohibited under the 2025 Prohibited List.
(Opinion issued in 2025)
Supplement:
Beauty kolagen
Well be.
https://trywellbe.rs/products/beauty-kollagen-wildberry-mit-rejuva-complex%C2%AE-formel
Opinion:
The declared composition of this supplement does not contain substances prohibited under the 2025 Prohibited List.
(Opinion issued in 2025)
Supplement:
Magnezan C liquid
Dr.Viton
https://springwell.rs/proizvod/dr-viton-magnezan-c/
Opinion:
The declared composition of this supplement does not contain substances prohibited under the 2025 Prohibited List.
(Opinion issued in 2025)
Tekst pripremila: Katarina Bogavac dr pharm.