Most health professionals would agree that, taken appropriately, dietary and sports supplements can assist dancers and performers to achieve peak performance. However, because the supplements industry is poorly regulated, we are bombarded with marketing hype that exaggerates or completely invents the benefits arising from their use.
Unfortunately, the reasons many athletes take supplements are not based on sound science. Instead, the reason is fear – fear that their competitors are taking supplements and therefore have a “performance edge”. That “edge” might mean a competitive edge (such as for endurance athletes). Or it might mean that the supplements will help give you the body you feel you should have, whether this is a performance advantage or not.
The present frenzy about supplements means many people are wasting money on products that simply do not work, when they could be focussing on factors that really do enhance performance.
This is an excerpt from Fiona Sutherland’s regular nutrition advice article in the current (June/July) issue of ‘Dance Australia’. OUT NOW!