Estrogenic endocrine disruptors present in sports supplements. A risk assessment for human health.
Sports supplements are becoming a regular dietary addition for consumers who view such products as a means of improving their health and performance. Previously estrogenic endocrine disruptors (EDs) were detected in 80% of 116 sports supplements investigated by biological in vitro reporter gene assays (RGAs). The aim of this study was to quantify the hormonal activity in 50 of these sports supplement samples using a validated estrogen RGA and perform an exposure and risk assessment for human health. Results showed that 17β-estradiol equivalent levels were higher than those reported as being present in the typical human omnivore diet in 33 of the sports supplements and higher than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) in 13 of these products. The highest activity samples presented a potential to influence the human daily exposure to 17β-estradiol like activity in various risk groups with a predicted hormonal impact of greatest concern in young boys and postmenopausal women. In conclusion, consumers of sports supplements may be exposed to high levels of estrogenic EDs.
Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT95AG, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Monika
M
Plotan
Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT95AG, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Christopher T
CT
Elliott
Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT95AG, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Caroline
C
Frizzell
Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT95AG, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Electronic address: l.connolly@qub.ac.uk.
Lisa
L
Connolly
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013177:Sports
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004958:Estradiol
Bioassay; Dietary supplements; Endocrine disruptor; Environmental contamination; Estrogen; Food safety; Human health; Phytoestrogen; Reporter gene assay; Risk assessment