FORUM   

Medicina dello Sport 2022 March;75(1):137-57

DOI: 10.23736/S0025-7826.22.04126-6

Copyright © 2022 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Use and cardiovascular side effects of nutritional supplements in athletes

Arrigo GIOMBINI ¹, Chiara FOSSATI ^{1, 2} ✉, Alessia DI GIANFRANCESCO ^{1, 2}, Carlo MINGANTI ¹, Paolo BORRIONE ^{1, 2}, Federico QUARANTA ¹, Gabriele TOMASSI ¹, Fabio PIGOZZI ^{1, 2}

¹ Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy; ² NADO Italia, Rome, Italy

In the world of sport, the use of nutritional supplementation with multiple purposes is increasingly frequent, including: the search for an improvement in performance, a faster energy recovery and a reduction in recovery times. However, athletes who use these substances often underestimate the potential risks and side effects they can cause. Among these, we should mention those affecting the cardiovascular system which, as amply illustrated by the literature, may lead to serious and potentially fatal events. The objective of this literature review was to analyze the extent of the phenomenon in the sports population, also estimating the volumes of consumption, as well as to examine the cardiovascular side effects of some categories of more frequently used supplements. The data currently available suggest that further studies focusing on the mechanisms of action of supplements, their real effectiveness, and especially on the possible short and long-term health risks, are highly desirable in the near future, together with greater awareness by athletes and their entourage.

KEY WORDS: Dietary supplements; Athletes; Adverse effects; Cardiac arrythmias