Informed Sport Certified
In August 2023, we announced that the first of our unique formulas - Bone & Muscle Support - had been certified by Informed Sport. Informed Sport is the #1 globally recognised body responsible for third-party testing and approving supplements for use by professional sportsmen and women, athletes, Olympians and Paralympians. We announced our new Informed Sport Certification alongside becoming the Official Supplement Partner of Forest Green Rovers, the League 2 football club, hailed as 'the world's greenest football club'.
What is Informed Sport?
Informed Sport is a quality assurance and banned substance testing programme designed for supplements, providing assurance to athletes, sports clubs and governing bodies that products carrying the Informed Sport mark have been tested for prohibited substances and manufactured to high-quality standards.
Informed Sport tests each batch of a product produced before it is sold to consumers and carries out ongoing blind testing of products it has certified to ensure they remain compliant and the integrity and safety of the product.
It is also important to remember that just because many substances are banned by sport and illegal for use in sport, that does not mean they are banned for sale or can be found as ingredients in sports and nutritional supplements available for purchase at retail stores or online.
Which DR.VEGAN® formulas are Informed Sport accredited?
DR.VEGAN® Bone & Muscle Support formula is certified by Informed Sport and is safe to be consumed by professional athletes. Bone & Muscle Support is an advanced daily multi-nutrient with optimal levels of highly absorbable Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 to help protect and strengthen bones and muscles, and support the recovery of professional sportsmen and women.
Why use tested supplements
Not all supplements are created equal, majority have nasty additives. This is why we always advise customers to check the label and not just the nutritional table. It is more important to check the 'Ingredients list' which is typically next to the 'Nutrition table', because the nutritional table doesn't show everything in a supplement.
A nutritional table will only show the ingredients that have nutritional value, however most supplements sold on the high street or online contain other ingredients that have zero nutritional value. Examples of these ingredients are Titanium Dioxide, Talc, Magnesium Stearate and many more - learn more in 7 ingredients to avoid in supplements. Not only do DR.VEGAN® supplements work, they are clean - using only the finest naturally sourced and plant-based ingredients. All DR.VEGAN® supplements contain zero nasty additives, zero animal ingredients and zero bulking or anti-caking agents.
There are tens of thousands of supplements sold that contain some form of banned substance. Unfortunately, however, even if a substance is not included on the ingredient list, the supplement may have been contaminated during the manufacturing process or in the supply chain. Informed Sport tests each batch of a product to ensure not only does it not contain any banned ingredients, but it also contains the ingredients it states it has and hasn't been contaminated.
What are banned substances?
Here are examples of the most common banned substances found in many supplements that Informed Sport tests for.
Anabolic agents
Anabolic agents are used to treat hormone issues and causes of muscle loss, and an example is DHEA. DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is found in many supplements claiming to help with weight loss, depression and sexual dysfunction, and other issues. However, despite its wide-ranging use, it is banned in sport.
Peptide hormones, growth factors and mimetics
Our bodies make peptides, which are strings of amino acids, which in turn are the building blocks of protein. Synthetic peptides can be sold in supplements as assistants for anti-ageing, muscle building and fat loss, and are banned for use in sport.
Beta-2 Agonists
Beta-2 agonists are a class of drugs used to treat asthmatic conditions. Some inhaled forms are permitted up to certain dosages, however, there are also some found in plants and supplements, marketed as pre-workout and weight loss products.
Cannabinoids
WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) bans all natural and synthetic cannabinoids, with the exception of Cannabidiol, which is commonly used to treat epilepsy. Learn more about the WADA Prohibited List.
Diuretics
All diuretics have been banned in sport since 1988 because they're considered masking agents by WADA. Masking agents in sports are substances used to cover up the presence of other banned substances. Diuretics themselves are medicines that help prevent fluid buildup in the body and can be used to treat heart conditions, high blood pressure, kidney and liver issues, among many others.
Stimulants
Stimulants are used in many supplements for weight loss, body building and improving performance. One of the most common stimulants is 'methylhexaneamine' which may be included in a supplement's 'proprietary blend' and not listed as a separate ingredient, so it has to be tested for.
Glucocorticoids
Glucocorticoids are prescribed for autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including multiple sclerosis, arthritis, psoriasis and eczema. All glucocorticoids are prohibited by WADA.
How can a professional athlete verify a product is safe to consume?
Understanding what your body needs for the type of sport you are participating in and doing research on what supplements best meet your requirements is key. Start by seeking advice from your trained sports nutritionist, then follow the steps recommended by Informed Sport.
- Cross-check the ingredients of your supplement against the WADA Prohibited List.
- Ensure the batch you are using has been tested by an ISO 17025 laboratory.
- Check that the product is tested and certified by a third-party - and that every batch is being tested.
We're committed to supporting the health, wellbeing and performance of all sporting professionals and athletes. If you're ever in doubt, you can always send our independent nutritionists an email at team@drvegan.com, who are always happy to help.
