Disclaimer: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product, service, or external web site does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product, service, or external web site content by CPCMG. We attempt to keep lists of resources and referrals as up to date as possible; however, this information is constantly changing. Please check with the service provider and your insurance company to verify coverage.
.jpeg?sv=2022-11-02&spr=https&st=2025-07-15T06%3A17%3A45Z&se=2025-07-15T06%3A29%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=P9P%2BFSfI8A0eZiSnt%2BVxWzY0Y1JGaouSIKNAHVk0%2BMw%3D)
Do I need to take performance enhancing supplements or anabolic steroids?
No, you do not need performance-enhancing supplements.
For more information regarding teen athletes and sample meals, click here
You can perform better by eating real food than you can by taking supplements.
Eating real food is safer and less expensive than taking supplements.
No, you should not take steroids to improve your sports performance
You may have heard them called roids, juice, hype, or pump.
Practice improves talent, skill, and ability; steroids do not.
Are performance-enhancing supplements and anabolic steroids safe?
Supplements are not regulated like prescription medication.
This may make them unsafe.
They may have other ingredients that cause an athlete to test positive for a substance they are not allowed to take, a “banned substance.”
This may not work like the supplement states.
They may have harmful ingredients that are not listed on the bottle.
The amount of an ingredient may be higher or lower than what is listed on the container.
Steroids are dangerous when taken for athletic performance.
Athletes can be tested for steroid use. If they test positive, they can be banned from the sport.
They cause many side effects like bad acne, hair loss, liver cancer, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, mood swings, uncontrollable anger (to the point of damaging property), depression, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, panic attacks, sleep problems, paranoia (extreme feelings of mistrust or fear), or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
How can I get what I need safely?
Ways to get what you need from food:
Omega 3 fatty acids (helps your body heal and recover): walnuts, salmon, flaxseed oil, canola oil.
Protein and amino acids (your body’s building blocks for protein): turkey, chicken, eggs, lentils, tofu, tempeh, beef, beans, low-fat dairy, beans, nuts, fish.
Creatine (used by muscles and brain): meat, poultry, fish.
Multivitamins and minerals (help nourish your body): fish, chicken, turkey, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, peas, low-fat dairy.
Caffeine (energy booster): dark chocolate, coffee, black and green tea.
Caffeine can be dangerous.
Be sure to check with your primary care provider to see if caffeine is safe for you.
Ways to build muscle and/or better your performance:
Get help from your school’s trainer, an athletic coach, or your primary care provider.
Add protein to your meals and snacks.
Allow your body to recover after activity.
Get enough sleep.
Stretch before and after activity.
Stay hydrated.
Take pride in moving your body and staying healthy.
Practice mindfulness.
This helps decrease your worries.
This helps you engage the right muscles.
This helps you with focus.
When to contact your healthcare team:
You are worried about your health.
You are stressed out.
You would like to be seen.
This publication was adapted from information within American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education Handouts Healthychildren.org and https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/ssi/nutrition/SSI_UnderstandingDietarySupplementsFactSheet.pdf
Reviewed by: TT D.O., AR D.O. | 08/2024