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Supplements and the endocrine system in athletes.
1Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Health Sciences, University Institute of Movement Sciences, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00194 Rome, Italy. luigi.diluigi@iusm.it
Clinics in Sports Medicine
|January 22, 2008
Summary
Athletes often use supplements, raising ethical questions about their purpose beyond nutrition. This review examines how supplements interact with the endocrine and metabolic systems, focusing on hormone-related effects.
Area of Science:
- Sports Nutrition
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Science
Background:
- Ethical concerns surround high-dose supplement use in athletes.
- Supplements may be used for non-nutritional purposes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review substances used by athletes.
- Examine mechanisms of action and pathways involved.
- Address links between supplements and the endocrine/metabolic system.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of athlete supplement use.
- Focus on mechanisms of action.
- Analysis of hormonal and metabolic pathways.
Main Results:
- Many supplement effects are hormone-related.
- Supplements can influence hormone secretion.
- Potential links between ergogenic compounds and endocrine/metabolic systems identified.
Conclusions:
- Supplement use in athletes warrants scrutiny regarding ethical and physiological impacts.
- Understanding supplement-hormone interactions is crucial for athlete health.
- Further research needed on ergogenic compounds and endocrine function.
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