Is Protein Powder Safe for Teens?: Teenagers with fast metabolism find it a hard time to gain weight. They can feel insecure about it, just like they would if they suffer from severe acne. It is an awkward phase for every person’s life. Unfortunately, in some cases, teens are bullied for the way they look, so they resort to desperate measures.
Is Protein Powder Safe for Teens?
As a result, teens will take protein powder to accelerate their weight gain, which makes their parents worried.
The protein powder industry was valued at US$17.6 billion worldwide in 2019, with a compound annual growth of eight percent from 2020 to 2027. By the end of the forecast period, the market is expected to grow to $32 billion.
Understandably, the product holds plenty of allure for teens. The industry has poured in massive amounts in advertisements. And they all claim that their products are safe, but there is a caveat:
The product has a warning label: intended for adults over 18.
But what if your teen will still buy protein powder, should you be worried?
Recommended Daily Allowance of Protein
Each of the powder contains essential amino acids, which are crucial to build muscle. That is why you do not simply consume the product without also going to the gym. Various studies have proved that people who took the supplement along with resistance training fared better than the control group that took a placebo.
Even without the supplements, your teenager’s body will naturally produce protein for their growth and energy, as well as tissue repair.
American Academy of Pediatrics says that teens will get four calories for every gram of protein. It should make up 10-12% of the total calories they consume every day. For example, 3-ounce meat or fish should contain 22 grams of protein. Meanwhile, a glass of milk contains eight grams of protein. The group said that a teenager weighing 110 pounds would need to consume 50 grams of protein every day.
Are they Safe?
Generally, these supplements are safe. But make sure you are getting them from legitimate sources, and that you follow the instructions on the label.
Another risk of buying your protein powder from illicit sources is that they may contain banned substances. If your teenager is into competitive sports, some of these ingredients may show up in tests for performance-enhancing drugs.
The only reasonable action to do is to wait. If your child is still 13 or 14 years old, they are too young to take protein powder. Their bodies are still growing, and maybe you might not even need supplements once they get older. However, If they can’t wait to be 18, then they can start their regimen at 16, but with your close supervision.
The supplement is meant to complement other efforts like diet and going to the gym. The crucial thing to remember is taking in more would not accelerate the results. If they double the recommended dose, for example, they would only serve to hurt themselves. Too much protein will cause damage to your kidney.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates protein powders and other fitness supplements in Australia. But the industry also self-regulates as it is fully aware that the public is already suspicious of its products. That means all legitimate supplements companies are united to weed out unscrupulous manufacturers who exist to make a quick buck at the expense of consumers.
