Powder supplements?

lonypony

Hi all, I am just a mum of a 19yo boy who is into weight training. He has had protein powders and pre workout mixes before. I just want to know that they are safe. Can anyone give me some real information or where to start looking - I google search these items and get taken to sites that sell. I am just wanting information. At the moment he is looking at a bio-gro product as well as pre-workout powder on line. He says you can't get the bio-gro in shops - which starts ringing them warning bells in me.

Cheers for any advice, Leonie

prestigio

Google the ingredients of those pre workouts. You will find that the majority of the supplements are rather safe (except for those with DMAA, Dimethylamylamine, in it).
Most of the supplements contain Beta alanine, Citruline malate, arginine, caffeine and some additives.
They give a little boost in energy and endurance.

Protein supplements are also rather safe. They are a concentrated source of protein:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whey_protein

As for the bio-gro, I am not familiar with that product. My suggestion is to just use Google to find information on the ingredients. Perhaps some user reviews can provide you with additional information as well.

JesterMFP

They're safe. It's just protein. Obviously if he has medical issues where he shouldn't have too much protein, or if he's allergic/intolerant to any of the ingredients, then they're not a good idea. For example, a lot of protein powders are made from whey, and some people can't tolerate it, or can't tolerate it in high doses.

I'm also not familiar with that particular product so can't comment on that specifically, but check out the ingredients. If in doubt, he should check with his doctor.

lonypony

Thanks so much for your information. Much appreciated and puts my mind a little at rest .... typical mum ... I just think eat more steak!! But I am beginning to realise there is more to it then that when you are building muscle you do need the additives.

Cheers

Shawshankcan

http://examine.com

It is an independent website (not affiliated with supplement companies) that looks at various supplements and tells if they are safe and what they are used for and if there is a benefit from them.

Helloitsdan

IMO at his age he should only be using creatine and whey.
Nothing else.

keithemp

IMO at his age he should only be using creatine and whey.
Nothing else.

Pretty much this. A young body can adapt way quicker than an older body, and provided that he eats right (lookin at you Mum!) he'll be able to grow pretty easily.

JesterMFP

Thanks so much for your information. Much appreciated and puts my mind a little at rest .... typical mum ... I just think eat more steak!! But I am beginning to realise there is more to it then that when you are building muscle you do need the additives.

Cheers

It's not so much that he "needs" additives, but powder supplements are a relatively cheap form of protein, and a way of getting it in without much fat or carbs, which can help if he's trying to meet certain macronutrient targets.