“Amateur-like” Statement from the Organization Anti Doping Denmark

October 27, 2003

In October 2003 one could read pretty harsh warnings against the combination of dietary supplements and sports in several Danish newspapers. The medical doctor, Rasmus Damsgaard, from Anti Doping Denmark was the originator of these judgmental statements.

Damsgaard is quoted for several categorical announcements – among others: “Dietary supplements do not work – That’s it. And he calls it downright amateurish when respected coaches like Ulrik Wilbæk use supplements for their players.

But what are the facts? Yes, if you lean on science, as Damsgaard presumably does, there is actually evidence that several supplements have a beneficial effect in connection with sports.

This includes, for example, preparations that can prevent some of the many injuries that hamper elite sports, but also preparations that provide increased endurance.

As an example, a few well-conducted scientific intervention trials with placebo control can be mentioned:

Spanish basketball players who engaged in extreme training over 35 days were randomly assigned to receive supplements of vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene or placebo.

In the vitamin group, there was a decrease of almost 30% in the harmful free radical activity compared to the placebo group. (Eur J Nutr. 2001 Aug;40(4):178-84)

The frequent immune weakening after extreme endurance sports has been studied in ultramarathon runners (>42 km).

Vitamin C supplementation resulted in significantly fewer respiratory tract infections after the run, namely 33% in the vitamin C group versus 68% in the placebo group. (Am J Clin Nutr. 1993 Feb;57(2):170-4)

There is also good documentation of the performance-enhancing effect. Finnish elite cross-country skiers were randomly assigned to receive Q10, 30 mg x 3, and this supplement significantly improved performance, oxygen uptake and recovery time in the Q10 group. (Mol Aspects Med. 1997;18 Suppl:S283-90)

Unfortunately, Rasmus Damsgaard is not the only one with a very unvarnished view of dietary supplements. Both Team Denmark and the Danish Sports Federation generalize and distance themselves from the category of dietary supplements.

The Vitality Council agrees that one should be careful when buying dietary supplements online, simply because the rules are different in other countries, and it can be difficult to check the content of the individual product.

However, dietary supplements purchased in general trade in Denmark are subject to Danish law, which includes, among other things, a requirement for a clear declaration of contents.

Elite athletes are exposed to extreme stress, and therefore they should eat an optimal diet – among other things to avoid injuries.

The Vitality Council supports this recommendation 100%. But elite athletes are no different from many other Danes, and it is often difficult to follow the official dietary recommendations. Food is rarely as healthy and varied as it should be. That is why athletes also choose to supplement with selected dietary supplements. For example, Viborg’s captain Karen Brødsgaard and Slagelse’s coach Anja Andersen have both spoken positively about the use of selected dietary supplements.

So far, only a modest amount of research has been published in relation to dietary supplements and sports – but with both positive and negative results. Damsgaard should therefore refrain from generalizing and warning against all dietary supplements.

It may be an easy and popular attitude, but it demonstrates a distinct lack of knowledge about the serious and well-documented products that exist.

And not least, it shows a lack of respect for the many professional athletes who choose one or more forms of supplementation – with good results.

By: Vitality Council

(No references)

www.doping.dk
www.iom.dk