Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a collection of the most asked questions about Aegis Shield®. If you have a further question, please use our Contact Us form and we will respond to you with an answer shortly.

• What is Aegis Shield?

  Aegis Shield is an educational resource that helps athletes—and those who care for them—stay clean and in the game by identifying banned substances on more than 140,000 dietary supplement, over-the-counter medication, and prescription drug product labels. Aegis Shield’s website and mobile app provide a user-friendly way to decode confusing product labels and find ingredients—and their many aliases—that are banned by various sports organizations and governing bodies.

• How do I search for a product?

  On the Aegis Shield website or app, simply scan a product’s UPC symbol with your smartphone or search by brand or product name. If the product is found, an evaluation of the ingredient label will appear on the page. If your product isn't found, suggest the UPC code or the product name and brand to receive a status within 72 hours.

• How do I know if a product is banned?

  After finding your product on Aegis Shield, one of three statuses will appear: Okay, Caution, or Banned. Depending on the ingredients found on the product label and whichever banned substance list (BSL) you have selected, one of the three statuses will appear with the product.

• What are Banned Substance Lists (BSLs)?

  As the name infers, a BSL is a list of substances that a particular sports organization has banned athletes from using. These substances are typically steroids, hormones, stimulants, diuretics, masking agents, and other chemicals that can give athletes an unfair advantage over their competition. For example, WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) governs athletes in all Olympic sports and related events and their BSL applies to athletes who may be tested during competitions and throughout the year. The WADA BSL includes hundreds of drugs and other substances that athletes are to avoid. Other sports organizations such as collegiate athletics, NFL, MLB, and NASCAR have their own BSLs that apply to athletes in those sports leagues. Aegis Shield has 7 BSLs so consumers can choose the most appropriate list.

• When a product has a "Banned" status, is it unsafe for me to use?

  The "Banned" status indicates that one or more of the ingredients on the label is banned by your selected sports organization. Aegis Shield does not comment on a product’s safety or effectiveness. Before you ingest any dietary supplement, it is best to check with a team official or health care professional for additional advice and information.

• What does "Caution" mean?

  "Caution" means that it is possible that the product might contain a banned substance. Product labels sometimes contain proprietary or trademarked ingredient blends without specifying the actual ingredients in the blends, so it is impossible for Aegis Shield to accurately evaluate all of the product's ingredients. It is also possible that one or more of the product ingredients are similar to a banned substance

• When a nutritional or dietary supplement has a "Caution" status, can I take it?

  Ultimately, it is your decision whether or not to consume any dietary supplement product. Sports organizations hold athletes liable for what they put in their bodies. If you test positive for a banned substance, it is very difficult to prove that you did so accidentally.

• What does "Different Formulations" mean?

  Two supplement products may appear identical but, in reality, they are not. Manufacturers may decide to add or remove product ingredients so that a supplement purchased today may have different ingredients than the same supplement purchased six months ago. "Different Formulations" refers to the variations in ingredients listed on the product label.

• Does Aegis Shield test every product?

  No. We maintain a large database of the ingredients (and ingredient aliases) that manufacturers indicate are in their products and cross-reference 7 different Banned Substance Lists (BSLs) for a status. Aegis Shield is an educational resource that only reviews the declared ingredients of a dietary supplement, over-the-counter medication, and prescription drug. 

• The product I searched says "Sorry, This Product is in Process." What does that mean?

  Each product in the Aegis Shield database undergoes a detailed and time-consuming review process conducted by scientific experts. "In Process" simply means that the review has not been completed. By clicking “Expedite Review of This Product,” Aegis Shield guarantees the product will soon be added to the site, usually within 24 hours.

• Who are the experts behind Aegis Shield?

  Aegis Shield's scientific experts work around the clock to provide you with the most accurate information available. Take some time and learn more about our experts

• Can I still use Aegis Shield even if I'm not a participant in a specific sports league?

  Yes, you certainly can. If you are not a professional, Olympic, or collegiate athlete, Aegis Shield can help you make informed decisions about what you put in your body. If you’d like to use Aegis Shield for general informational purposes, choose the WADA banned substance list (BSL) because it contains the widest range of prohibited and possibly unhealthy substances.