Are protein powders unhealthy for a teen athlete?

Asked by: Beth Lord

Some athletes wonder about using a protein supplement such as protein powder or a high-protein drink. Overall, this isn’t necessary and even might be dangerous. Using protein supplements may lead to excessive protein intake, taxing the kidneys and promoting dehydration.

Is protein powder safe for teenage athletes?

Protein powders are not currently regulated by the FDA. This means they may contain artificial sweeteners, heavy metals and other chemicals that young athletes are just better off without.

Is protein powder unhealthy for teens?

Although protein shakes can help teens meet their recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for protein, dietary supplements are generally not recommended for children and teenagers.

Is whey protein safe for teenage athletes?

Again, according to EatRight.org, adding protein supplementation to a teen athlete’s diet can be dangerous. This addition to their diet can lead to an excess of protein intake which isn’t good for the body. In fact, it can promote dehydration and be quite dangerous to the workings of the kidneys.

Should a 14 year old athlete drink protein shakes?

An underweight 14-year-old may (with a physician’s recommendation) benefit from adding a medically-formulated, prepackaged protein shake to her daily diet. These shakes also contain a carefully regulated balance of vitamins and minerals that the body requires to function at its best.

Is it safe for a 16 year old to drink protein shakes?

Health Risks

Protein shakes and other dietary supplements have been designed for and tested on adults before hitting the market, so their effects on teens who are still growing and developing are unknown. For that reason, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics does not recommend that any teens take protein supplements.

Is whey protein powder good for a 15 year old?

While a protein supplement could help a 15-year-old reach their protein requirements, protein supplements are not recommended for teens who eat a well-balanced diet. Overdoing the consumption of protein powders can cause health issues such as liver and kidney damage in teens, and therefore is best avoided if possible.

Does protein powder stunt growth?

Protein powder can stunt growth in young adults: FALSE.

The only thing protein powder is doing is allowing you to get the extra intake that is needed for your daily diet without having to consume a food source. Protein is actually great for young adults and kids!

At what age should you start taking protein powder?

Kids Aged 4 to 13

It’s likely safe for kids to have whey protein powder if they don’t have allergies to milk or dairy products. That being said, outside of allergies, there are other risks you should be aware of before giving your kids protein powder.

Can a 13 year old take whey protein?

The Institute of Medicine’s recommended daily allowance (RDA) of protein for teens is 34 grams for 13-year olds, 46 grams for 14 to18-year-old girls, and 52 grams for boys in the same age group. A popular whey protein powder contains 24 grams per scoop.

Is it OK for a 14 year old to take protein powder?

For most children, protein powder supplements are unnecessary because they’re getting more than enough protein through their meals. As such, experts at the Cleveland Clinic say additional protein can do more harm than good. Too much protein can have unintended health consequences.

Why protein supplements should be avoided by teenagers?

Beware of Protein Supplements

Using protein supplements may lead to excessive protein intake, taxing the kidneys and promoting dehydration. Plus, the risk for contamination with steroids, hormones or other unwanted ingredients is real, as the safety of dietary supplements is largely left to manufacturers.

Is protein powder safe for athletes?

Protein powders and supplements are great for convenience, but are not necessary, even for elite athletic performance. For example, protein powders can be useful when athletes need immediate protein right after a workout and don’t have time for a meal.

What are the negatives of protein powder?

It may be high in added sugars and calories. Some protein powders have little added sugar, and others have a lot (as much as 23 grams per scoop). Some protein powders wind up turning a glass of milk into a drink with more than 1,200 calories. The risk: weight gain and an unhealthy spike in blood sugar.

Why do athletes drink protein shakes?

Recovery after exercise

As well as contributing to muscle growth, protein can help repair damaged muscles and tissues. As a result, athletes may use protein powder to speed up recovery from muscle soreness after exercise.

What are pros and cons of protein powder?

If you use protein powder or are considering using it to boost protein intake, consider the following pros and cons.

• Pro: Older athletes benefit from increased protein intake. …
• Con: You don’t need supplements to get enough protein. …
• Pro: They’re convenient. …
• Con: Protein powders don’t deliver whole foods’ range of nutrients.

Is it OK to take protein powder everyday?

Protein is essential for building and repairing your body’s cells and also plays a role in transporting nutrients and producing enzymes and hormones. While there may be no particular risks to consuming protein powder every day, you shouldn’t exceed your daily protein needs.

What are the symptoms of too much protein?

Symptoms associated with too much protein include:

• intestinal discomfort and indigestion.
• dehydration.
• unexplained exhaustion.
• nausea.
• irritability.
• headache.
• diarrhea.

Do protein shakes have side effects?

Some companies which manufacture these protein powders contain highly toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury. Consuming these toxic metals can be very harmful for your body. They can cause headaches, fatigue, constipation and pain in muscles and joints.

Does whey protein damage kidneys?

Summary: There is no evidence that too much protein can damage the kidneys in healthy people. However, people with an existing kidney condition should check with their doctor about whether whey protein is right for them.

Does protein powder affect sperm?

Compared with those not using protein supplements, protein use did not appear to be associated with reduced semen volume, sperm concentration, count, morphology, or motility.

Does whey protein affect testosterone?

Here’s what the researchers found: Supplementing with whey resulted in a 90.5-percent increase in the intracellular concentration of testosterone present within the exercised muscle, over the non-exercised muscle.