If something has been heard in the so-called fitness community in recent months, it is a NATURAL, NOT NATURAL debate. Of course, it has become clear that the public has a vested interest in finding out to what extent doping has leeway in reaching “athletes” and influencers.
If we look at other sports, we see that there is no doubt about the public condemnation of doping and its consequences. However, in the environment of weights (let’s call it that), it seems that the concept of NATURE is unnecessary or not understood. This is why we find everything from statements like “taking protein powder is not natural, what hypocrisy to complain about doping” – “as long as it is not anabolic, you are natural, that’s my opinion.”
The reality is that we do have guidelines to follow and we really know what doping is and what not. So your opinion is NOT what makes you natural, and in this article, you will finally learn to distinguish and know the natural work ethic and the importance of zero doping.
When we mention the word NATURAL, something like Windows wallpaper comes to mind, a couple of lemon trees, a few fluttering butterflies, some orphan Asturian cows and a guy in a loincloth …
This idyllic image is the one used by many products today who try to paint themselves green to boost their sales, and be careful! Some of them are very good, and movements like REALFOODING, which seek to reduce the amount of ULTRAPROCESSED in our diets, is of course good news.
The point is that NATURAL in sports does not mean any of this, but rather tries to express that the athlete MEETS THE DOPING STANDARD.
When it comes to additives, colorants, sweeteners, preservatives, industrial processes, chemicals in medicine, clothing, hygiene, beverages, etc. I doubt anyone of us is free from sin. And the fact is, the fight against doping has NOTHING to do with the amount of aspartame your Coca-Cola Zero carries, or if you get ibuprofen to get the flu this winter.
Doping standards protect a level playing field and fairness not only in a competitive sports environment, but also in the labor market.
When an athlete or professional in this sector is confronted with doping, they increase their performance at the expense of their health, at the risk of improving their competitive performance or benefit from image and marketing implied in consumption. Because of this, the rest of the agents in this environment are forced to either consume “at the level” or take an unfavorable position.
Therefore, the line that defines what is considered doping (non-natural) is the sum between the positive performance impact and the harm to health. Both characteristics are necessary, so WHITE PROTEIN is never doping as it is safe to consume. In contrast, TOBACCO is harmful to health, but does not improve performance, so it does not once again create a conflict situation on equal terms.
TRUE DEBATE is where we put the line when we view a hazardous substance and when we view a substance as a productivity tool. Who said what exactly is doping and what is not?
Since 2003, doping has committed any violation of the rules established by the World Anti-Doping Code. (WADA-AMA)
Among the rules, we find some surprising ones, such as an attempt to use a prohibited substance or method, as well as his obsession or complicity in committing violations.
Does this mean that the list is stationary, perfect and timeless? Obviously not. Discussion is REQUIRED and SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE will note which new substances are added to the list, which may even leave the list if they are regulated to certain maximum amounts, whether they can be used in or out of competition, etc.
What we cannot do is confuse DEBATE with STANDARD, otherwise we have nothing to take into account when making decisions, everyone thinks the way he wants (and always in your interests)
So, today, if you break these rules, you are doping and you are NOT NATURAL. So it should come naturally to following the rules, being relevant and figuring out how substances are regulated to respect other colleagues.