Safe or dangerous? Evaluating group a sports supplements in the context of the epithelial barrier hypothesis

The epithelial barrier hypothesis suggests that the integrity of epithelial barriers in the skin, respiratory tract, and intestinal mucosa contributes to various chronic diseases. Long-term and high-intensity training, dehydration, malnutrition, etc., can cause epithelial barrier sensitivity in elite athletes. Elite athletes commonly consume sports supplements (SS) to enhance performance, support physical appearance, and prevent nutrient deficiencies. Scientific evidence indicates that SS can also affect the integrity of epithelial barriers. This study aims to discuss the potential effects of SS classified as Group A by the Australian Sports Institute (AIS) on epithelial barrier integrity.