Are Protein Supplements Safe for Young Athletes?

With a vast selection of protein supplements available in stores and on the internet, it’s very easy for a young athlete to get caught up in the hype they promise.  There are some really good protein supplements on the market, but these supplements were not created for young athletes, they were created for adult athletes, and the tests run on them were run on adults as well.  

Even though it may not be the most popular way, younger athletes can improve their performance by eating a healthy diet, getting the right amount and the proper kind of fluids, training properly and not overtraining, and getting the right amount of sleep each night. It takes more attention and discipline to monitor all these things, which is why protein supplements are so appealing. They appear to be easier and provide quick results. 

The Potential Dangers of Young Athletes Taking Protein Supplements

Most protein supplements on the market today have other ingredients that can be very harmful to young athletes.  Creatine is a common ingredient in these protein powders and drinks, yet it is an ingredient that is not known to be good for young athletes to take.  It’s possible that taking these supplements at a young age can decrease performance, particularly in endurance sports or practice sessions lasting longer than an hour.

Energy drinks may seem harmless enough, but these typically contain ingredients such as

·       Taurine

·       Caffeine

·       Glucuronolactone

·       Guarana

·       Ginseng

These are not ingredients that young athletes should be adding to their diets even though it may give an initial boost in their performance at first.  There is an increased danger of heart problems, dehydration and heat related illnesses that are associated with these types of products.  Any kind of stimulant can also cause a decrease in performance due to tremors and coordination issues that can accompany them.

The Best Way to Get Protein for Young Athletes

Protein is important for good performance, but not to the detriment of the athlete. It’s easy for a healthy young player to get the protein intake they need through proper eating.  If protein powders are suggested, look for those that have no added sugar and no creatine or other substances that are not good for younger athletes.

One of the best sources of protein is eggs, which have 6 grams of protein per egg. Adding eggs to the athlete’s diet can have the benefits without the dangerous side effects.

Coaches and Trainers who Advise Young Athletes to Take Protein Supplements

If a younger player has been advised to up their protein intake and suggests protein supplements,   remember that most of the protein powders, pills and drinks are formulated for adults, so look for alternatives that are safe not only in the short term, but the long term as well.  If the coach agrees, use food sources first to up that protein and skip the supplements until they are older.  Protein IS an important part of the recovery process, muscle growth and endurance, so it is an important nutrient to have in the daily diet, but when it can come from food sources rather than just supplements, the benefits will far outweigh the benefits gotten from commercial protein supplements.