LGC has over 180 years of scientific heritage and continues to research and develop ways to create a safer world. Here, you will find white papers, studies and other technical information related to supplement safety and testing created by LGC scientists and supporting authors. These documents show how important our INFORMED certification programs are and how they make a difference in the quality of the sports and nutritional supplements. Check back often as we continue to build this scientific library.
Testing as a Catalyst for Confidence
In March 2026, INFORMED commissioned a comprehensive consumer survey to decode the shifting landscape of Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements (VMS) safety and to understand the extent of third-party testing dictating purchase behaviour. Conducted by multinational management consultancy CIL, the study gathered feedback from approximately 2,000 consumers across the UK and US who had purchased VMS products in the preceding 12 months.
Strength and Conditioning Coaches Survey
Strength and Conditioning coaches are at the forefront of athlete development. Their recommendations can directly impact an athlete’s health, performance, and adherence to anti-doping regulations. To better understand this critical area, we conducted a comprehensive survey among strength and conditioning coaches of US Collegiate athletes. The primary objective of this survey was to assess their current level of knowledge regarding the selection of safer and cleaner supplements for their athletes.
This paper explores the impact that INFORMED certification has in terms of quality assurance and product integrity, topline growth, profitability, modernisation, and operational efficiency. This has been carried out through an analysis of internal testing data, a review of extant literature on certification and testing regimes, and data from responses to a survey of Sports Nutrition brands and manufacturers.
The Prevalence of SARMs in the UK Supplements Market
This paper summarises the findings of a study undertaken at LGC to investigate the prevalence of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) in supplements available to the UK market. Despite no SARM receiving full clinical approval, SARM based supplements are readily available to the public via on-line stores.
For athletes subject to doping control, this study demonstrates the importance of ensuring that the supplements they use have been subject to a rigorous testing programme such as Informed Sport or Informed Choice.
Phenethylamine and Other Aromatic Amine Stimulants in UK Supplement Products
This paper summarises the findings of a study undertaken at LGC to investigate the prevalence of substituted phenethylamines, the link between supplement label versus actual phenethylamine content and the concentrations within these supplements. For athletes subject to doping control, this study demonstrates the importance of ensuring that the supplements they use have been subject to a rigorous testing programme such as Informed Sport or Informed Choice. LGC retains its position as the market leader in this are due to a commitment to the continuous development of intelligence-led testing, combined with ongoing research and development activity.
This paper summarizes the findings of a study investigating the prevalence of methylhexaneamine and structurally similar compounds within UK supplement products and the importance of label verification and third-party testing.
This paper summarizes the findings of a study investigating the detection of Nandrolone metabolite in urine after the ingestion of a Nandrolone precursor. Download this White Paper to learn more.
Banned Substance Residue Analysis
This paper summarizes the findings of a study investigating the role of banned substance residue analysis in the control of dietary supplement contamination. Download this White Paper to learn more.
This paper summarizes the findings of a study investigating the risk of contamination and inadvertent consumption, synthetic male enhancement compounds and their analogues, and high resolution accurate mass (HRAM) LC-MS approach. Download this White Paper to learn more.
Australian Sports Supplement Survey
This paper summarizes the findings of a study investigating how sports supplements available in Australia has revealed that 19% of the products tested contained substances banned in sport, while results from two of the products indicated a potential risk to health and the likelihood of the consumer failing an anti-doping test. Download this White Paper to learn more.
