Kingston (Jamaica), Jan 8 (IANS/CMC): Jamaican Sports Minister Natalie Neita Headley has appealed to athletes in the country to exercise caution when consuming dietary supplements.

Headley issued her appeal as Jamaica attempts to recover from a doping scandal that has rocked the athletics world and has thrown the international spotlight on the island, reports CMC.

Five Jamaican athletes tested positive for banned substances at the National Senior Championships last summer.

“We implore all our athletes, the coaches, the administrators and the managers of them, that the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) is really telling you that supplements are not regulated,” said Headley during the launch of a Wellness Festival here.

“The suppliers and the manufacturers of the supplements, they make them to make money, they are not necessarily effective either."

The minister reminded athletes that they are ultimately responsibility for what they consume and that the use of natural products remains the safest and best way to boost performances.

“I don’t think they (supplements) are any more effective than our cornmeal porridge or our arrowroot or beetroot for that matter,” Headley said.

“What you are getting from those supplements, you can get from your food if you are eating the right way."