Proud of Our Badge: What it Means to be NSF Sport Certified

When it comes to buying supplements it can be a really overwhelming thing to do. You go to that aisle of your local pharmacy knowing that you want to make your body healthier, but there are 20 options for the same-named supplement. 

So you grab one that says ‘all-natural’ and hope it works. 

But did you know that what you’re buying — or trying to buy — might not actually be in that bottle?

The scariest part about trying to be healthy and go for alternative medicines is that natural supplements aren’t completely regulated by the FDA. 

The worst part of this is that means companies don’t have to be truthful about what is in the bottle you’re purchasing. You could be trying to buy an Echinacea supplement to boost your immune system and you might actually get something that has no Echinacea and only fillers.

OR you can be getting your Echinacea with a bunch of unhealthy additives and dangerous ingredients that can have bad interactions with your current medications. 

This is where the NSF stamp of approval comes in. To avoid dangerous fillers and know that you’re actually getting what you’re trying to buy, you can’t go wrong when you see that blue circle with bold white NSF on it.

Why Does NSF Mean it’s the Best?

NSF International was originally a means of regulating sanitation services. They started as the National Sanitation Foundation back in 1944. They continued to grow and enforce regulations globally in more markets than just sanitation growing from the National Sanitation Foundation into NSF International.

NSF International was created to hold other brands and businesses to the highest standards to make sure people are safe with what they purchase. 

They don’t just expect others to abide by high-standards though. NSF International holds themselves to be the best by following guidelines set by OSHA, SCC, ANSI, and IAS.

NSF International requires businesses to continually uphold top quality for customers. The initial process to become certified is lengthy. After submitting an application the following will happen:

• A toxicology testing will be done to make sure the product doesn’t contain products not listed on the label or harmful chemicals
• A facility inspection will ensure that the manufacturing areas are upholding good manufacturing practices (GMP)
• Annual testing to make sure the standards are continually upheld and if they aren’t, certification is revoked

Companies that have this logo on their products deserve this logo on their products.

NSF Certified for Sport® 

In 2004, NSF International realized how important it was to regulate supplements that are specifically safe for athletes. This is when the NSF Certified for Sport® came to be. 

Athletes look to use supplements to enhance their performance. But when what isn’t on the label enters their bodies it puts them at risk to be kicked out of the organization they play for. 

Athletes have a list of over 270 ingredients they absolutely cannot put in their bodies and NSF International makes sure none of these ingredients enter the products they endorse. 

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulates what athletes in the NFL, MLB, PGA, LPGA, and many other sports organizations are allowed to ingest.

The main products that will deem an athlete ineligible to play include:

• Narcotics
• Steroids
• Stimulants
• Hormones
• Diuretics

These are products you probably don’t want in your dietary supplements either. 

Accidental Doping — Keeping Yourself Safe

On several occasions, athletes have been kicked out of competing for accidental doping. 

The randomized drug testing that they must go through to be eligible to compete can make or break their entire career. Many athletes have been kicked out for doping even when they didn’t do it intentionally.

Some of the secret ingredients that will be on a label that can be harmful include:

• Oxilofrine
• 1, 3-Dimethylbutylamine (DMBA)
• 1,3 dimethylamylamine (DMAA)
• N,alpha-diethylphenylethylamine (N, a-DEPEA)
• Yohimbine
• Phenethylamines
• Geranium
• Any “andro-” ingredient
• Bitter orange
• Germander
• Guarana
• Yerba mate extract
• Kratom
• Bael tree fruit

Many of these ingredients are used as ‘natural alternatives’ to ingredients that are illegal either by WADA or FDA standards. Many are used for ‘caffeine stacking’ which can lead to tragic cardiovascular events. 

Why Athletes Need Digestive Supplements like Atrantil

Athletes are viewed as prime examples of elite health. However, some of the extreme training they put their bodies through is less than healthy. 

Many athletes experience gastrointestinal issues. One study stated that up to 70% of elite endurance athletes admitted to experiencing gastrointestinal problems. 

These issues are not only annoying but can also prevent athletes from reaching their full potential and performing at their best. 

When you exercise, the blood in your body that is needed to digest your food rushes to your extremities to help your muscles perform at their peak. Your muscles need nutrients and oxygen so you can achieve your goals. 

This takes the blood away from your digestive tract and prevents the digestive processes from being successful. This can lead to diarrhea or constipation. Both of these can lead to abdominal cramping and potentially dehydration. 

Over 56% of elite athletes experience symptoms of IBS at some point in time if not all the time.  

Most of these athletes go undiagnosed just calling their symptoms ‘runner’s diarrhea’ and writing it off as a normal symptom of their intense training. 

Athletes also take Atrantil for the beneficial effects of polyphenols. Polyphenols, like those in Atrantil, have been shown to help with muscle recovery, oxygen uptake and strength enhancement to name a few.

Atrantil is the first digestive health supplement to be NSF Certified for Sport®. It’s also the only supplement approved by NSF International for bloating. 

We are proud to offer elite athletes what they need to safely support their digestive health. They know that they’re getting a first-place product to help them achieve their health and athletic goals.

You can sleep soundly knowing that you’ve purchased and used a top-notch product that’s free of harmful substances and full of exactly what you need. If it’s good for professional athletes, you can guarantee it’s just as great for you!