Is it safe for teenagers to drink protein shakes?

Question

Hi im 15 and have been lifting for about 5 months now, i decided to but a 100% whey protein supplement, but when my parents were reading the label it said do not use if under age 18. Why does it say that? can the whey protein harm my body or is it safe for me to take?

Answer 1

It's possible that this particular protein my have added L-Arginine which is an amino acid and really shouldn't be supplemented heavily by teens for hormonal reasons.There should be contact information on the label somewhere or the company may have a website that you can visit and ask them questions.Or it may have added creatine which is not legal for sale to minors.I don't know of any particular studies that suggest that it's not healthy for you at your age but I don't know absolutely every study out there so contact the manufacturer.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

RE:
Is it safe for teenagers to drink protein shakes?
Hi im 15 and have been lifting for about 5 months now, i decided to but a 100% whey protein supplement, but when my parents were reading the label it said do not use if under age 18. Why does it say that? can the whey protein harm my body or is it safe for me to take?

Answer 4

They include the warning for liability reasons. They don't wanna be responsible for a teen who misuses the product. Im 14 and a student athlete and whey is the best protein supplement. Its a post workout shake and its digests withing 30 minutes, it's actually recommended for teens on the websites.

Answer 5

Most teens under 18 are still growing. By eating a well balanced diet with protein, carbs, and fat but not too much of each you will have plenty of nutrients to grow and develop normally. By adding too much protein from any source especially at a young age can could lead to some problems (see below).

"Potential risks:
Overreaction within the immune system
Liver dysfunction due to increased toxic residues
Loss of bone density."

"Because the body is unable to store excess protein, it is broken down and converted into sugars or fatty acids. The liver removes nitrogen from the amino acids, so that they can be burned as fuel, and the nitrogen is incorporated into urea, the substance that is excreted by the kidneys. These organs can normally cope with any extra workload but if kidney disease occurs, a decrease in protein will often be prescribed.
Excessive protein intake may also cause the body to lose calcium, which could lead to bone loss in the long-term. Foods that are high in protein (such as red meat) are often high in saturated fat, so excessive protein intake may also contribute to increased saturated fat."

Make sure you are not lifting too much as well because that could lead to skeletal, tendon and ligament damage if your bones have not stopped lengthening.

Answer 6

There's nothing wrong with takin protein shakes at your age. But it is not healthy to enter a hardcore weight training cycle at too young of an age.

Answer 7

Its no big to take protein shakes, just don't over do it!

Answer 8

Protein Shakes For Teenagers

Answer 9

there is nothing potentially wrong with it, but at your age you don't really need it b/c you're still 'growing'. your body naturally is still growing its muscles and everything else.