“Bottom line is, I say don’t take it. If you are going to take it, make sure that you seek out healthcare professionals so they can monitor the proper dosing, monitor the side effects if they should arise.”
– Dr. David Marshall, MD, Director, Sports Medicine Program, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
There’s no doubt that good nutrition is important for growing children. In recent months, however, the Federal Trade Commission has warned companies about over-hyping brain and vision benefits tied to omega-3 supplements for children. And the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dietetic Association say nutrition is best gained through the food we eat.
Yet research shows a surprising percentage of teens are using unregulated dietary supplements like creatine in order to build muscle – and that can be dangerous.
Years ago, Chandler’s coach suggested he try creatine— a nutritional supplement to help him lift more weight. Chandler says, “We asked about it, we researched about it, because we’d been hearing some negative connotations about supplements.”
Research from the Children’s Hospital of Boston and Harvard School of Medicine shows 12 percent of boys have taken products to help build muscle. But are they safe?
“We don’t know for sure,” says Dr. David Marshall, medical director of the Sports Medicine Program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “There haven’t been medical studies, there haven’t been long term studies done testing the effectiveness, nor the safety of these products.”
Doctors say there is no proof that creatine can be harmful, but without more research they can’t be sure. Dr. Marshall says, “Bottom line is, I say don’t take it. If you are going to take it, make sure that you seek out healthcare professionals so they can monitor the proper dosing, monitor the side effects if they should arise.”
Experts say supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. There is no way to be sure what they contain. Medical toxicologist Dr. Christine Haller says, “So it really relies on the manufacturer’s ethics to put out a safe product. There have been several studies that have shown that the products don’t contain what they say they contain.”
And experts say, too often, athletes believe if a little creatine is good—more must be better. Dr. Haller says, “If you are taking super-physiological doses of it, much, much, more of it than your body is used to, then it can be taxing on the kidneys.”
Chandler dreams of becoming an Olympic weightlifter—-but he says it’s not a good idea to take creatine solely for appearance. “For young males, especially non-athletes, to take supplements in order to have this beefcake body or to have these ripped arms or ripped abs is just absolutely stupid and ignorant.”
What We Need To Know
Young people may think anabolic steroids and supplements have appealing benefits, such as more muscle mass and faster recovery time from injuries. But the negative side effects can outweigh the positive ones. The National Institute on Drug Abuse created the following list of physical side effects of anabolic steroids:
- Men of all ages – Steroid and supplement use can lead to reduced sperm production, shrinking of the testicles, impotence, low sex drive, difficulty or painful urinating, baldness and irreversible breast enlargement (gynecomastia).
- Women of all ages – Steroid and supplement use can increase masculine characteristics, such as decreased breast size, deepening of the voice, excessive body/facial hair growth, loss of scalp hair, clitoral enlargement, and reduced body fat (which can stop menstruation).
- Adolescents – In adolescents (both sexes), steroid and supplement use can lead to premature termination of the adolescent growth spurt, so that for the rest of their lives, abusers remain shorter than they would have been without the drugs. These drugs can also cause acne, mood swings, and aggression.
- Both sexes of all ages – In males and females of all ages, steroid and supplement use can lead to potentially fatal liver cysts and liver cancer, blood clotting, cholesterol changes, and hypertension. These symptoms in turn can cause heart attacks and strokes. Evidence also shows that anabolic steroid abuse – particularly high doses – promotes aggression that can manifest itself as fighting, physical and sexual abuse, and property crimes such as armed robbery and vandalism. When people stop using anabolic steroids and supplements, many experience depression, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, reduced sex drive, headache, muscle and joint pain. These drugs are powerful, and the desire to take more anabolic steroids can be very strong.
Even though most athletes are aware of the negative side effects of performance-enhancing drugs, the use of steroids and supplements is still common among high school athletes. One reason, of course, is the tendency of teenagers to focus on the present, and not worry about the future consequences of their actions or their own mortality. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER) has developed a list of situations in which teenagers might consider taking steroids and/or supplements:
- Most athletes reach a plateau at some point in their training. Performance-enhancing drugs may help them move beyond it.
- Athletes make sacrifices to pursue their sport. When the effort doesn’t yield the desired results, they may become frustrated enough to take supplements.
- Even athletes making good progress with their training may become curious and take performance-enhancing drugs just to see what will happen.
- Teenagers may be looking for a quick way to lose weight as prom or Spring Break approaches, and turn to supplements for help.
- Students may feel they need to take supplements to boost their low energy due to hectic schedules or poor sleeping habits.
- Some students may simply give in to peer pressure or want to “fit in.”
- The use of supplements may be a common occurrence among their friends (“no big deal.”)
- The psychological side effects of some substances – such as aggression, feelings of invincibility and euphoria – may be so pleasurable that the person doesn’t want to stop taking them.
- Performance-enhancing drugs may help a person develop a body that increases self-esteem and that is admired by friends, family members and potential girlfriends/boyfriends.
- Athletes know that some of their competitors take them.
- No tests are available for some drugs, so there’s no chance of getting caught.
- Parents and coaches may ignore signs of performance-enhancing drug use in teens who appear to be elite-level athletes.
Is your teen under a lot of pressure to succeed, look good or fit in? Does your teen play on an elite sports team? Is your teen competing for an athletic scholarship? If your child is committed to sports and is hoping for an athletic scholarship, he or she is under considerable pressure to succeed. Young athletes may feel pressure from coaches, parents and peers, not to mention the pressure they put on themselves. This pressure often drives them to consider using performance-enhancing drugs and supplements.
As parents, it is extremely important that you try to relieve some of the pressure your child may be experiencing. Reassure your child that you love and support him/her, no matter what the performance level. If you’re worried that your teen may be using steroids or supplements, the MFMER offers these tips:
- Educate yourself. Reading about steroids and supplements is an important first step. Find out if your state high school athletic association or your teen’s school has a policy prohibiting the use of these substances. Get involved by writing to the appropriate state agency. Some states have banned all performance-enhancing drugs, including those available over-the-counter. Locate stores in your area that sell potentially harmful supplements.
- Be clear about your expectations. Tell your teen about the negative effects of supplements, and that you expect him/her to avoid them. Make no exceptions. Teach your teen that short-term gains can lead to long-term problems.
- Discuss ethics, dangers, proper training and exercise. Teach your child to be a noble athlete, which means one who competes fairly. Remind your son or daughter that using steroids or supplements is similar to cheating, and could also lead to health problems or death – right on the playing field. If your child is trying to lose weight or wants extra energy, emphasize the importance of a well-balanced diet, exercise, and getting enough sleep.
- Appeal to your child’s vanity. Describe the physical and emotional side effects of steroids and supplements. For example, anabolic steroids can cause acne and scarring; many energy boosters can lead to depression.
- Talk with your child’s coach. Let the coach know you’ve talked with your child and that you don’t approve of performance-enhancing drugs. Ask the coach about the school’s position on performance-enhancing drugs. Take action to make sure there is a “no supplements, no exceptions” rule.
- Monitor your child’s purchases. Take a close look at the over-the-counter items your teenager buys. Check closely to see what the ingredients are. Monitor what your teen buys on the Internet.
Health education classes are mandatory for students. But you have the ultimate responsibility for educating your child about supplements and steroids. When discussing this topic with your child, remember that teens are smart; they ask tough questions and they tend to deny risks to their health. Therefore, do your research, armed yourself with information, and stand firm on your position that steroids and supplements are extremely risky.
Resources
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Mayo Clinic
- Advocates for Youth
- U.S. Department of Health of Human Services
- Wall Street Journal – The ABCs of Missing Vitamins
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