Sports Supplements: Pearls and Pitfalls.

Sports supplements can be generally divided into 3 categories: sports foods (foods/drinks containing macronutrients), medical supplements (vitamins/minerals used to treat deficiencies), and ergogenic supplements (used to benefit performance). Supplements are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. They may get to the market and be contaminated with substances banned in sport or dangerous to health; and the contents may not contain what is listed on the label. When choosing to use a supplement, the safest practice is to choose a certified brand, which tests and authenticates label verification, quality, and lack of contaminants and banned substances for sport.