The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the Consortium for Health and Military Performance’s Human Performance Resource Center (HPRC) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) today announced an important new partnership created to provide robust educational resources designed to help service members understand and navigate the potential dangers associated with dietary supplements. The newly launched Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS) High-Risk Supplement List provides warriors with information about dietary supplements that may pose a greater risk of containing substances such as stimulants, unapproved drugs, steroids, or other hormone-like substances that may potentially cause a positive drug test and/or pose a significant health risk.
The new resource is accessible through the OPSS online family at HPRC-ONLINE.ORG/OPSS. Warriors, family members, and healthcare providers will have access to the OPSS High-Risk Supplement List, which includes products that have been evaluated by expert scientists at USADA and HPRC as posing a possible anti-doping or health risk. Reviewing the information on the OPSS High-Risk Supplement List is the first step a service member should take when deciding whether or not to use a dietary supplement. The OPSS website provides many other educational materials for warriors to review before making an informed decision.
“USADA is proud to assist our American service members by providing them information they need to stay healthy and drug free. We respect and appreciate the work they do and are thrilled to partner with the Health Performance Resource Center to assist support and protect our service men and women,” said Dr. Amy Eichner, Special Science Advisor to USADA.
“Many dietary supplements contain ingredients that are banned in the military, like controlled anabolic steroids, and this list reveals many of these products,” said Dr. Arthur Kellermann, Dean of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine at USU. “USADA has a similar website to help athletes, and USU’s partnership with them allows us to help do the same for service members. We believe this will send a positive message that we want to help our service members make safe choices.”
USADA has been providing supplement information to Olympic, Paralympic, and other elite-level athletes via its website Supplement411.org since 2011. USADA is honored to use its expertise and knowledge in the area of supplements to benefit American service members and the Department of Defense. Creation of this website demonstrates USADA’s continued effort to protect all athletes, including recreational athletes, and our service men and women.
About USADA:
USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs. In an effort to aid athletes, as well as all support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use necessary medications, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing drugs. In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, Drug Reference Online (www.GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Prohibited List, easy-reference wallet cards, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference documentation.
About Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences:
The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), founded by an act of Congress in 1972, is the academic heart of the Military Health System. USU students are primarily active-duty uniformed officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Public Health Service who receive specialized education in tropical and infectious diseases, TBI and PTSD, disaster response and humanitarian assistance, global health, and acute trauma care. A large percentage of the university’s more than 5,200 physician and 790 advanced practice nursing alumni are supporting operations around the world, offering their leadership and expertise. USU also has graduate programs in biomedical sciences and public health committed to excellence in research and in oral biology. The University’s research program covers a wide range of clinical and basic science important to both the military and public health. For more information, visit www.usuhs.edu.