Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Nutrition.gov
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Dietary Supplements for Athletes

What dietary supplements help athletes perform better? Should you take sports supplements? Answer these questions and more using our resources.

  • DrugFacts: Anabolic Steroids

    Learn about anabolic steroid use among athletes and the potential health risks associated with it.

    • HHS, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse

  • Anabolic Steroids

    Learn about anabolic steroids, including what they are, use among athletes, interactions, safety concerns, and more. 

    • HHS, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus

  • Caffeine

    Learn about caffeine, including what it is, how it effects users, how much is too much and why it can cause dehydration, especially in athletes. 

    • HHS, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus

  • Creatine

    Learn about creatine, including what it is, use among athletes, interactions, safety concerns, and more. 

    • HHS, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus

  • Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance

    Read this fact sheet for answers to common questions about dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance.

    • HHS, National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

  • Ephedra and Ephedrine Alkaloids for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance

    Learn about the safety of ephedra and ephedrine alkaloids for weight loss or to enhance athletic performance.

    • HHS, National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

  • Creatine Supplements: The Basics

    Learn about creatine supplements, their impact on athletic performance, and their safety.

    • Department of Defense, Uniformed Services University, Consortium for Health and Military Performance

  • Taking Dietary Supplements? Eat Real Food Instead

    Aim to get nutrition from real foods first! Check out this infographic for foods to boost athletic performance.

    • Department of Defense, Uniformed Services University, Consortium for Health and Military Performance

  • Whey Protein: The Basics

    Discover the facts about whey protein supplements including what they do and when they are used.

    • Department of Defense, Uniformed Services University, Consortium for Health and Military Performance