Pharmacologically active substances and dietary supplements used by athletes - the European and Italian regulation

The nutrition has been supposed as an essential component of physical performance and thus the athletes make use of various substances in an attempt to improve their performance. For this reason, the nutritional supplements are widely used at all levels of sport. They are packed in the form of "doses" and can be used to correct nutritional deficiencies or maintain an adequate intake of certain nutrients even if the excessive intake of vitamins and minerals can be harmful or cause side effects. Faced with disparate regulations of its member countries, the European Commission has established harmonized standards to help ensure the safety and proper labeling of food supplements. The main provisions of the EU about are contained in Directive 2002/46/EC on food supplements containing vitamins and minerals that has been implemented in Italy by Legislative Decree n. 169/2004.