Should football players drink protein shakes?

[zonepirate]

I didn't really expect to be called out on the processing of herbs and such not regulated. But here gos. I have been in third world countries where most herbs come from. These health nuts as you call them use them. I have witnessed the drying process and the waters source used to clean certain things that required washing. I guess you would say after the processing I seen there I am not much of a health nut. You would have had to have been there. That's all I will say on this. I think you can read between the lines. It ain't pretty. On another note. Because a pretty mall store is selling something in pretty packages for more money don't mean diddly. They buy it from the same source as the fly by nites do. It all comes from the same place. After all it wont grow here in the quantity being sold. Make sense? Happy health nutting.

 

 

 

Sorry if you thought I was calling you out. Just stating a different opinion. You are correct as far as things being regulated. But that goes for all foods, even the ones that are regulated. If you don't grow and process your own food you really never can be 100% of what you are getting. They just shut a plant in GA down yesterday because the chili sauce made there tested positive for botulism

[zonepirate]

Ya think? Read the label warnings. Not all I am sure but there is a bunch that do contain things that can kill you. Which have a lot more advertising. You know kids they want the best. Its an easy way to obtain what they want. Even if it kills them.

 

 

 

Good advise. Do research too.

[MOTO24]

Ask your doctor. I don't want to discount the previously given advice but Coach T is not the place to look for these types of answers.

[Kublah]

Ya think? Read the label warnings. Not all I am sure but there is a bunch that do contain things that can kill you. Which have a lot more advertising. You know kids they want the best. Its an easy way to obtain what they want. Even if it kills them.

 

 

Just curious, but do you let your son eat at McDonalds? Does he carry a cell phone? Does he drink soft drinks? Because all of those things will kill him several DECADES before a protein shake will. Protein is protein, I've been drinking the shakes for years, and I'd say it's safe to say I'm in pretty good health. There's nothing in a protein shake that will ever do any harm to anybody.

[Charger1456]

Just curious, but do you let your son eat at McDonalds? Does he carry a cell phone? Does he drink soft drinks? Because all of those things will kill him several DECADES before a protein shake will. Protein is protein, I've been drinking the shakes for years, and I'd say it's safe to say I'm in pretty good health. There's nothing in a protein shake that will ever do any harm to anybody.

 

 

 

I'm not making any accusations, but thats funny right there I dont care who you are...

[CasualObserver]

What the bottom line is, its not not intended to be consumed by kids under 18. Maybe they should regulate it like Tobacco products so kids know it is not exactly safe. Also kids should read the label and not trust a friends advice. Also under warning it states not to use if you are prone to dehydration and exposed to excessive heat. That about covers football. So break out a magnifier and read the warnings on the labels of something your kids are taking.

 

Another question comes to mind. Almost every year a kid drops dead on the field from heat exhaustion. Were they taking these supplements? I bet it is not even considered in an investigation.

 

So now you be the judge if your kid below the age of 18 needs to be taking something that could possibly kill him to help him try to gain muscle the easy way.

If they are under the age of 18 it is clearly by law your decision and you will be accountable for it. Maybe this will sum up the question the young man asked.

 

You don't mention which supplement your son was "sneaking", but it sounds as if you are talking about creatine. As with all things you buy that you are unfamiliar with, you should read the label and do your research. When my son started asking about creatine and protein shakes 4-5 years ago I was hesitant, but researched the products and talked to our doctor. The bottom line from my research was that as long as you took the product exactly as prescribed on the container, you would have no problem. Plus, NEVER take it during the season because of the heavy workouts.

 

So, I allowed my son to take the creatine and protein under my supervision during the offseason. It had MAJOR benefits for him and he suffered no ill side-affects while taking it for three years. You say they are "try(ing) to gain muscle the easy way." That is a statement of ignorance and being scared of what you don't understand.

 

The reason creatine had major benefits for him was that it allowed him to work out MORE and HARDER! He didn't work less to gain his strength. I can't tell you how many times I didn't want to work out during high school just because I was still hurting so bad from my previous workouts. So, my lifting was inconsistant. My son was able to workout longer and harder than his peers. What is "easy" about LONGER and HARDER workouts??? Less painful, YES!!! Easier, NO!

 

I don't know much about it, but according to our coach, the creatine causes dehydration. He said the whey protein was the only thing he would recommend. He also told my son the best thing he could do to put on weight is to eat a peanut butter sandwich and drink a glass of milk right before he goes to bed.

 

Your coach is just like MO$$$$ above, talking out of ignorance and scared of what he doesn't understand. Yes, the creatine can lead to dehydration. I discovered that in my research. That is why he would NEVER let my son take creatine during the season or hot summer workouts. I also discovered that all of the cases where kids passed out from dehydration, they were overdosing the stuff and NOT following the directions on the label. A lot of them were also using while doing high intensity workouts in the heat.

 

Also, you better watch out with that Peanut Butter sandwich. You never know what third world country (or China) some of the ingredients come from. Could have something bad in it which will kill several people and lead to a massive recall. I think that DID actually happen just a few months ago. And some of you are worried about what is in the supplements! Instead of being scared and ignorant, get the WHOLE TRUTH....not just the good or bad parts.

[gobbler51]

I drink protein shakes every day and they helped me gain 75 pounds through my high school career. Protein shakes just contain multiple amino acids, which is the same source of protein you would receive from regular food. The amino acids bond with your muscle tissue as your muscles are rebuilding to build muscle. Although I have heard speculation that the shakes can cause health problems down the road (even a suggestion that they could cause ALS), I view them as just a more efficient way of getting high levels of protein in your body and maintaining a positive nitrogen balance without the extra fat.

[GO4TWO]

I drink protein shakes every day and they helped me gain 75 pounds through my high school career. Protein shakes just contain multiple amino acids, which is the same source of protein you would receive from regular food. The amino acids bond with your muscle tissue as your muscles are rebuilding to build muscle. Although I have heard speculation that the shakes can cause health problems down the road (even a suggestion that they could cause ALS), I view them as just a more efficient way of getting high levels of protein in your body and maintaining a positive nitrogen balance without the extra fat.

 

MYOPLEX is awesome, i used it alot and had good results for building lean muscle...

[MO$$$$]

You don't mention which supplement your son was "sneaking", but it sounds as if you are talking about creatine. As with all things you buy that you are unfamiliar with, you should read the label and do your research. When my son started asking about creatine and protein shakes 4-5 years ago I was hesitant, but researched the products and talked to our doctor. The bottom line from my research was that as long as you took the product exactly as prescribed on the container, you would have no problem. Plus, NEVER take it during the season because of the heavy workouts.

 

So, I allowed my son to take the creatine and protein under my supervision during the offseason. It had MAJOR benefits for him and he suffered no ill side-affects while taking it for three years. You say they are "try(ing) to gain muscle the easy way." That is a statement of ignorance and being scared of what you don't understand.

 

The reason creatine had major benefits for him was that it allowed him to work out MORE and HARDER! He didn't work less to gain his strength. I can't tell you how many times I didn't want to work out during high school just because I was still hurting so bad from my previous workouts. So, my lifting was inconsistant. My son was able to workout longer and harder than his peers. What is "easy" about LONGER and HARDER workouts??? Less painful, YES!!! Easier, NO!

Your coach is just like MO$$$$ above, talking out of ignorance and scared of what he doesn't understand. Yes, the creatine can lead to dehydration. I discovered that in my research. That is why he would NEVER let my son take creatine during the season or hot summer workouts. I also discovered that all of the cases where kids passed out from dehydration, they were overdosing the stuff and NOT following the directions on the label. A lot of them were also using while doing high intensity workouts in the heat.

 

Also, you better watch out with that Peanut Butter sandwich. You never know what third world country (or China) some of the ingredients come from. Could have something bad in it which will kill several people and lead to a massive recall. I think that DID actually happen just a few months ago. And some of you are worried about what is in the supplements! Instead of being scared and ignorant, get the WHOLE TRUTH....not just the good or bad parts.

 

 

I don't know you or your Doctor. But I do know there are good doctors and there are bad doctors. There is doctors that will say what ever you want to hear to get your money. If he said you had cancer would you ask for another opinion? A specialist right? So is your doctor a nutritional specialist?

The container clearly states not for use if you are under 18 yrs old. Follow that direction on the label ALSO.

You call me ignorant because I abide by the warning on the label???? Whats that say for you ignoring the warning?>? That you were smart?? Warning labels are just that. They have been put there for a reason. WARNINGS to release them from liability if you ignore them. I guess you choose to take the chance. I choose not to. I don't think its ignorance. I think its a matter of opinion. I choose to drive a Honda. That make me ignorant too? You use that word freely. I assume your education level is sub par. As a well educated person knows the difference between an opinion and ignorance. By the way I am glad your son was not adversely effected by the product you allowed him to take while he was still under your care and guidance. The next kid may not be as lucky.

 

The smartest thing you have said was use the product exactally as prescribed. It is not prescribed to be used by kids under the age of 18. It also stated it could cause death. That clear enough?

[Kublah]

Just how exactly could a protein shake cause death? That has got to be the funniest thing I have ever read in my entire life. Protein and creatine are harmless! All they do is help you. Also, creatine does not cause dehydration it prevents it. If you'd read the LABEL you would know that create puts the water and nutrients you take in into your muscle cells at a greater rate. If there's more water in your muscle, guess what happens....you don't get dehydrated!

[RipleyTiger54]

Why would anyone let their kids drink those nasty shakes ? A good balanced diet is all they need. My boy went from 5/9 155 lbs. in the 7th grade to 6/4 270 lbs. in 12th grade and has never tasted a protein anything. He does love CHICKEN . He could eat it 4 times a day. It must have made him smarter too , he made a 32 on his act. THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. PS love them for who they are not for something you want them to be , they grow up it seems in a blink of an eye.

[old44]

Just how exactly could a protein shake cause death? That has got to be the funniest thing I have ever read in my entire life. Protein and creatine are harmless! All they do is help you. Also, creatine does not cause dehydration it prevents it. If you'd read the LABEL you would know that create puts the water and nutrients you take in into your muscle cells at a greater rate. If there's more water in your muscle, guess what happens....you don't get dehydrated!

 

 

Too much of anything is not good for you. Protein shakes, if taken in large amounts or for too long a period of time, can wreak havoc on the liver and kidneys.