My teenage son is wanting to take a supplement

christianteach

First he mentioned creatine and now C4. I have concerns about him taking either one and have said no. He has lost a little under 50 lbs. already, with a healthy diet, cardio and lifting. He still needs to lose another 60+. He is really into the weight lifting and we provide him with all the protein he wants and needs (various foods, protein powders, and protein bars). We also buy him vitamins. Is there anything else that is safe for a teen we could buy to help him? He is under a physician's care and eating at a high deficit, under his BMR...An online calculator puts his BMR at 2386 but the doctor tested it and said his metabolism is a little slow...he eats around 1800 a day per his doctor and has been losing consistently.

SideSteel

How old is he?

And what does he believe he needs help with in terms of these supps?

(Why is he seeking to take them?)

christianteach

How old is he?

And what does he believe he needs help with in terms of these supps?

(Why is he seeking to take them?)

He is 17. He would like to "boost" his workouts. He thinks he's building muscle but everything I've read says you can't do that on a deficit.

SideSteel

How old is he?

And what does he believe he needs help with in terms of these supps?

(Why is he seeking to take them?)

He is 17. He would like to "boost" his workouts. He thinks he's building muscle but everything I've read says you can't do that on a deficit.

Whether or not he is building muscle is context dependent. If he's overweight and relatively new to lifting, he's got the potential to build muscle even in a caloric deficit, especially at 17 years old. In fact most 17 year old males who are new to training can look at a barbell and gain some muscle.

On to the supplements:

This is very important that we are clear on this: We are not comfortable advising non adults through this website. Having said that, we are still going to present you with a resource for you to look at, and some opinion that you are to only use as opinion, and from that, and from your own research, make the best parenting decision you can.

I'm not concerned about responsible adults using creatine. I have no idea whether it's been specifically studied in terms of teenagers.

Please see here regarding some general info from a reliable site, regarding creatine:
http://examine.com/supplements/Creatine/

C4 is not a monohydrate (creatine monohydrate is the most effective), it's a blend of caffeine, Vitamin C, and creatine nitrate and some other stuff.

If he's having energy issues, I'd personally rather see him drink a diet coke and go lift. If he's constantly having energy issues, it could be diet related but you're managing that through his physician already.

I'm not a fan of pre-workouts for people who do not suffer from energy related performance issues.

Lastly, and this is just opinion from both Sara and myself (we're discussing this on Skype while I'm typing this): He's probably going to do just fine by lifting hard, being consistent, and hitting his calorie and macronutrient totals. Rinse and repeat. Spend time learning proper technique, get good sleep, etc.

Sarauk2sf

Tagging so I can track any follow up.

whierd

Sidesteel covered it pretty well, but I wanted to add my anecdotal experience. I started taking creatine monohydrate as a sophomore in high school while lifting 5 days per week. I did this for 3 years, cycling as recommended. I put on a heck of a lot of muscle and had great strength gains. It has not had any noticeable negative effect on me as I near 30.

ShakeyMcGee

No noticeable negative effect? I find that hard to believe looking at your profile pic. ;-)

christianteach

How old is he?

And what does he believe he needs help with in terms of these supps?

(Why is he seeking to take them?)

He is 17. He would like to "boost" his workouts. He thinks he's building muscle but everything I've read says you can't do that on a deficit.

Whether or not he is building muscle is context dependent. If he's overweight and relatively new to lifting, he's got the potential to build muscle even in a caloric deficit, especially at 17 years old. In fact most 17 year old males who are new to training can look at a barbell and gain some muscle.

On to the supplements:

This is very important that we are clear on this: We are not comfortable advising non adults through this website. Having said that, we are still going to present you with a resource for you to look at, and some opinion that you are to only use as opinion, and from that, and from your own research, make the best parenting decision you can.

I'm not concerned about responsible adults using creatine. I have no idea whether it's been specifically studied in terms of teenagers.

Please see here regarding some general info from a reliable site, regarding creatine:
http://examine.com/supplements/Creatine/

C4 is not a monohydrate (creatine monohydrate is the most effective), it's a blend of caffeine, Vitamin C, and creatine nitrate and some other stuff.

If he's having energy issues, I'd personally rather see him drink a diet coke and go lift. If he's constantly having energy issues, it could be diet related but you're managing that through his physician already.

I'm not a fan of pre-workouts for people who do not suffer from energy related performance issues.

Lastly, and this is just opinion from both Sara and myself (we're discussing this on Skype while I'm typing this): He's probably going to do just fine by lifting hard, being consistent, and hitting his calorie and macronutrient totals. Rinse and repeat. Spend time learning proper technique, get good sleep, etc.

I understand you wouldn't want to advise someone under 18 on here. Thanks for the link!!

He is still considered obese. It's good to know he could be building muscle, especially since he is really into it. It's the first time he's really been into working out. He's big time into video games (he's very good at it too...he should be, it's all he does outside of school) and very smart, but this was something he has never enjoyed (His doctor told him to do cardio 5-6 days a week, but he quickly discovered the other side of the gym and enjoys it much more than cardio.) I think he likes the changes he is seeing in his body and wants something to accelerate the process. It is hard to believe he has had this big of a transformation in just a few months. He has been progressing on the amount of weight he can lift rather quickly, which surprises me since this is the one area he really hasn't had any help with. He has completely researched it all himself online. His doctor has been giving him general advice on calories, what foods to eat and to avoid, and exercise and been a great cheerleader (he is seeing a weight loss specialist) and his nutritionist gave him an excellent diet plan, including a high protein goal. However, the fitness trainer (all 3 work at the same place) didn't offer much but rather just asked him what he was doing. After he told her, she told him what muscle group he was missing and printed out some exercises he needed to add.

I haven't read much negative about using Creatine. My concern comes from personal experience. My daughter was engaged to a very talented football player with several scholarship offers. He had an amazing body. I always said teenage boys didn't look like that when I was in school. Then one day he had a massive stroke. He almost died and hasn't been the same since. He was only 18. He was taking creatine and I guess I always thought that was the only explanation as to how this could happen to someone so fit, healthy and young, although strokes did run in his family. :frown: It was probably previous football injuries or his family history, but that is always in the back of my mind, especially because at the time doctors and nurses kept asking if he was on steroids. He had always insisted he wasn't but he couldn't speak for months after and still can't speak very well (he uses a computer to talk for him now) and is in a wheelchair. Anyway, that's my only problem with creatine...I'm sure it's probably harmless.

It doesn't sound like you like C4. I have heard it's dangerous for teens to drink very many of those energy drinks and I assume this would be similar but I could be mistaken. I also assume creatine is a safer option for an 18 year old boy??

As far as I know, he isn't having energy issues. I think he just wants something to help him build muscle/lose weight faster. Don't all of today's teens want everything right now?

Thanks!

Sarauk2sf

While some people may exhibit mild stimulant reactions, I am not aware of any negative health issues related to creatine monohydrate and it has been heavily tested for a number of years.

christianteach

While some people may exhibit mild stimulant reactions, I am not aware of any negative health issues related to creatine monohydrate and it has been heavily tested for a number of years.

I see there are many different types and brands. What should I look for, if I were to buy some?

Sarauk2sf

While some people may exhibit mild stimulant reactions, I am not aware of any negative health issues related to creatine monohydrate and it has been heavily tested for a number of years.

I see there are many different types and brands. What should I look for, if I were to buy some?

I use Optimum Nutrition - its just creatine mono.

christianteach

While some people may exhibit mild stimulant reactions, I am not aware of any negative health issues related to creatine monohydrate and it has been heavily tested for a number of years.

I see there are many different types and brands. What should I look for, if I were to buy some?

I use Optimum Nutrition - its just creatine mono.

I just talked to the young man I mentioned earlier, that had the stroke at 18. He said the creatine had nothing to do with it, that it is completely safe and that it was just in his genes. He also said to buy ON.

I assume this is okay to take when you still have a lot to lose? He realizes he will have an initial gain of 5-6 lbs. Beyond that, it shouldn't inhibit weight loss, should it?


This??? http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Creatine-Powder-Unflavored/dp/B002DYIZEO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376798325&sr=8-1&keywords=optimum+nutrition+creatine

Troublemonster

I just talked to the young man I mentioned earlier, that had the stroke at 18. He said the creatine had nothing to do with it, that it is completely safe and that it was just in his genes. He also said to buy ON.

I assume this is okay to take when you still have a lot to lose? He realizes he will have an initial gain of 5-6 lbs. Beyond that, it shouldn't inhibit weight loss, should it?


This??? http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Creatine-Powder-Unflavored/dp/B002DYIZEO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376798325&sr=8-1&keywords=optimum+nutrition+creatine

I started on Creatine mono while still losing and aside from the initial water swell it didn't seem to slow me down at all.

C4 is pretty gnarly stuff, I use it sometimes. Maybe let him try working out after a shot of espresso? It's pretty similar from what I have experienced.

You're getting a lot of great input from pretty experienced people here who can actually back their stuff up with science which is not a bad thing.

Also, just to add. As good as C4 is the first few workouts it really isn't that different from coffee or mountain dew in that there will be a time when it jacks him to the moon then, probably before he finishes the tub, it will fade and a tolerance will be built.

krazyforyou

Have a cabdid conversation with his doctor, you and him in the room. If the md is agreeable then he will decide what and how much to add. If he is not agreeable then he will make his case as to why not.

Sarauk2sf

While some people may exhibit mild stimulant reactions, I am not aware of any negative health issues related to creatine monohydrate and it has been heavily tested for a number of years.

I see there are many different types and brands. What should I look for, if I were to buy some?

I use Optimum Nutrition - its just creatine mono.

I just talked to the young man I mentioned earlier, that had the stroke at 18. He said the creatine had nothing to do with it, that it is completely safe and that it was just in his genes. He also said to buy ON.

I assume this is okay to take when you still have a lot to lose? He realizes he will have an initial gain of 5-6 lbs. Beyond that, it shouldn't inhibit weight loss, should it?


This??? http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Creatine-Powder-Unflavored/dp/B002DYIZEO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376798325&sr=8-1&keywords=optimum+nutrition+creatine

Creatine does not inhibit fat loss.

christianteach

Have a cabdid conversation with his doctor, you and him in the room. If the md is agreeable then he will decide what and how much to add. If he is not agreeable then he will make his case as to why not.

It looks pretty cheap, so I think I'm going to go ahead and buy it then tell his doctor about it on his next visit which is apx. 3 weeks. I don't think it would hurt him in that short amount of time and if the doctor doesn't want him on it and can justify why not, we won't be out much...in fact, maybe I would try it at some point. To be honest, that initial weight gain would freak me out a bit. I'm one of those obsessed with the scales and hop on first thing every morning. :blushing:

Sarauk2sf

Locking so we can track active threads better. If you have further questions, please PM me, and include a link to this thread and I will unlock so you can pose them.