Check the supplement label before you consume it.
Many athletes supplement their training with natural supplements for strength, stamina or faster recovery. They think that it is natural, so it must be safe and it cannot show up on a dope test.
That belief is however wrong. Ayurvedic and herbal products in India have been found to contain synthetic drugs that were never listed on the label. A 2009 study tested 58 Ayurvedic and herbal products collected across India and found undeclared synthetic steroids and painkillers in 12 of them (Savaliya et al., Drug Testing and Analysis).
National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), India warns that words like "natural" or "tested" on a pack do not guarantee a product is free of prohibited or undeclared substances (NADA India).
Why "It's Natural" cannot be used as a defence when tested?
This argument is not against natural medicines as a whole. Most well-made products from reputable manufacturers can be consumed but a 2009 study found that every adulterated product came from individual practitioners (Savaliya et al.).
Under anti-doping rules athletes are responsible for any prohibited substance found in their body. It does not matter how it got there or if they had the motive to enhance their performance. A contaminated tonic can end a season or a career. NADA says that a positive test from a supplement can mean a ban of four years or more for an athlete found to have a prohibited substance in the body.
This has happened in Indian sport. A footballer received a two-year ban after a teammate gave him a substance described as an Ayurvedic medicine. The panel accepted that he had not meant to dope but banned him anyway (ESPN).
The risks not only include being banned from sport alone but NADA India points out that unsafe supplements can also harm the liver, hormones, heart and kidneys.
What to Check Before You Take Anything
No supplement is 100% risk-free but you can cut the risk by working through these steps.
- Start with food. Check if your food already meets your nutritional needs. Most often it does.
- Ask whether you need it at all. Take a supplement only when you are likely to get a benefit and decide that with a qualified nutritionist or dietitian who understands anti-doping rules.
- Avoid loose or unlabelled preparations. Powders, pills or tonics handed over by individual practitioners, a coach or a teammate carry the highest risk.
- Choose batch-tested products. NADA recommends products batch-tested by third-party agencies such as Centre of Excellence in Nutritional Supplements Testing for Sportsperson CoE-NSTS (India's own centre at the National Forensic Sciences University), Informed Sport, NSF Certified for Sport or Kölner Liste.
- Do not trust "approved by NADA" claims. NADA India lists not to trust supplements that claim to be endorsed by an anti-doping organisation, or is "safe for athletes" (NADA India).
- Tell your doctor you are an athlete. For any prescribed medicine, ask whether it needs a Therapeutic Use Exemption before you take it.
When you check the supplemental product you are more likely to choose a product that you can defend if you are tested.
Act now if you have already taken natural supplements
Are you an athlete and have you been taking a natural supplement that is in your kitbag currently? Here is what you can do.
- Stop and check. Pause the product until you know what is in it.
- Keep the pack and the batch number. Keep receipts of where you got the supplements so that you are ready to answer any questions that might come your way.
- Declare it. List every supplement and medicine on your doping control form when you are tested.
- Speak to a sports medicine doctor. A prescribed medicine may need a Therapeutic Use Exemption from NADA before use.
In one instance it was found that declaring alone is not sufficient to protect you. A teenage Indian swimmer took a prescribed medicine and listed it on his doping control form but did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption from NADA and he was suspended for 18 months (The Tribune).
The goal is to perform well and have nothing to explain
At Ortho One, we would rather an athlete train a little smarter than take a shortcut they cannot talk about. What comes first is good rest, good food and a sound training plan. If you are adding anything on the top of your training, it should be something you can name, trace and defend.
FAQs
Can an Ayurvedic supplement make me fail a dope test?
Yes. Some Ayurvedic and herbal products have been found to contain undeclared synthetic drugs, and athletes are held responsible for anything in their sample.
Does NADA approve any supplements?
No. Anti-doping agencies do not certify supplements. Third-party agencies such as CoE-NSTS do the batch testing.
Is a batch-tested product completely safe?
No product is 100% risk-free, but batch testing significantly reduces the risk.
My doctor prescribed it. Am I covered?
You are not covered automatically. Some prescribed medicines need a Therapeutic Use Exemption from NADA before use.
Learn more about staying drug-free and competing safely
Whether you are a school athlete, a weekend runner or competing at state level, our sports medicine team can review what you are taking and help you plan around it.
Sources
- NADA India: Supplements and Athletes
- NADA India: Supplements and the Risks
- NADA India on X: labels such as "natural" (June 2026)
- NADA India on X: health risks of unsafe supplements
- Savaliya et al., Drug Testing and Analysis, 2009 (58 Indian products)
- CoE-NSTS, National Forensic Sciences University
- ESPN: ISL player banned two years
- The Tribune: teen swimmer suspended 18 months
