Warning Issued To Teenagers About Health Risks With Supplements

A new study has revealed that junior athletes, some as young as 12, are making use of performance enhancing drugs.

Researchers from the University of Canberra and Queensland’s Griffith University interviewed 900 athletes aged between 12 and 17. They (during this study on youth and health) found that around 4 percent of those interviewed were using performance enhancing drugs for improving their image or performance.

Health experts say supplements could be harmful and lead toward illegal and dangerous substances.

“They think it’s going to burn away the fat, produce muscle overnight and that they’re going to be very attractive to girls and unbeatable on the sports field,” nutritionist Jenny O’Dea said. “It is a big myth.” “They are fancy names for things like milk powder, dried milk powder, dried whey powder which is milk, different types of sugar, different types of flavoring, perhaps some dried egg,” Ms O’Dea said.

“Why in heavens would a parent think it is appropriate to provide them with protein powders, amino acids, whey powder, whatever it is to make them bigger when really they haven’t gone through their growth spurt at that stage?”

As experts have proven that there is a big health risk with supplements, we should encourage youngster to avoid supplements. Our Youth Development is on bet.