Bodybuilding or performance enhancing supplements are now widely used among teenage athletes.  The problem is that these athletes never really know what is contained in the small capsule that holds the key to their “athletic success”.  Even legitimate supplement dealers across Canada believe they know what they are selling to consumers. The truth is the labels on these supplement bottles don’t list every ingredient – including those that may include illegal substances. These banned substances are still detectable, even very small doses. If the athlete is tested for illegal substance use in competition, they will test positive for doping. Prohormones are supplements that are similar in chemical structure to steroids, but not illegal. Young athletes who use these supplements are putting themselves at risk and damaging their health.  In February 2006, Health Canada issued a warning against the use of the product M1T, a supplement containing a man-made steroid called methyl-1-testosterone. There are other options available to help athletes bulk up naturally without the use of supplements. For more information on supplements or supplement-free options, visit the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport at www.cces.ca, or Peak Performance at www.peakperformance.on.ca.