SupplementPostulated effectEvidence of effectivenessAdverse effectsLegal status
Amino acids4–6 Increase growth hormone levelsNo effectMinimalLegal
Anabolic steroids7–9 Increase lean muscle massEffectiveSignificant and dangerousIllegal
Androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone10–13 Increase testosterone and lean muscle massNo effectSignificantProhibited by IOC14 and NCAA15
Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate17,18 Decrease protein breakdown and increase synthesisNo effectNone, but long-term evidence lackingLegal
Blood transfusion and erythropoietin19,20 Increase endurance and oxygen deliveryEffectiveSignificant and dangerousProhibited by IOC14 and NCAA15
Caffeine21–23 Increase energy and decrease fatigueEffectiveMinimalProhibited by IOC14 and NCAA15 above urinary concentrations of 12 mcg per mL and15 mcg per mL, respectively
Carbohydrate-electrolyte beverages24,25 Increase energy and decrease fatigueEffectiveNoneLegal
Chromium26,27 Increase lean muscle massNo effectPotentially dangerous, but long-term evidence lackingLegal
Creatine28,29 Improve muscle energy and strengthEffective in limited contextsMinimalLegal
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine30–35 Increase energy and decrease fatigueMixed, but mostly negativeSignificant and dangerousProhibited by IOC14 and NCAA15
Human growth hormone36 Increase muscle protein synthesis and strengthNo effect; lack of evidenceSignificant and dangerousIllegal
Iron37–39 Increase energy and general performanceNo effect unless deficiency is presentNone below recommended dietary allowancedosing; toxicity above this levelLegal
Sodium bicarbonate40–42 Increased buffering capacityEffective in limited contextsMinimalLegal