Kyra Barrett PROTEIN AND AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENTS

WHAT ARE THEY? What are They: Amino Acid and Protein Supplements are various substances that can be taken in by your body to enhance the amount of protein in your system, and help you “improve” your body athletically. These substances can be found in many different forms such as pill, shake, powder, or bar.

ABOUT What is the drug mimicking: This “drug” doesn’t really mimic anything. This drug actually increases the amount of amino acids and proteins already existing in your system. Amino acid supplements also act in similar ways. How does it effect the Body: Many athletes take protein and amino acid supplements when lifting weights, these supplements when taken while lifting weights allow for more muscle mass to be created, at least to an extent. How would it help the Athlete: Although; protein supplements do have a plus side for athletes. When coupled with weight lifting this allows for a quicker recovery time of your over-worked muscles, and building muscle mass faster than the average, for an extent of time.

NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS Short Term Side Effects: Fortunately for athletes there aren’t any serious short term effects for using protein supplements, but this leaves bittersweet realizations because athletes may not realize how much they are harming themselves by taking them. They just allow for a faster recovery time, and muscle mass. Long Term Side Effects: Because while taking supplements you are simply adding more protein into your system, there is only so much your body can take. Too much protein in your system can cause an elevated amount of calories into your diet, which can cause weight gain. A more serious side effect can occur in your kidneys. Because your kidney filter waste from your body, if ingesting too much protein your body breaks down high amounts of nitrogen, causing lots of stress, and possible kidney disease. A less alarming effect, unless for long periods of time would be constipation.

REGULATIONS High School Levels: Sadly there are no regulations for using protein and amino acid supplements. Actually, from my understanding they are actually encouraged, or at least at our school, and are used in abundance. Collegiate Levels: Again, there are no regulations, and the NCAA allow and have no problem with their athletes using said supplements. Professional Levels: Lastly, in professional sports protein and amino acid supplements are once again allowed.

ETHICS Should They Be Used: Personally I feel that in there is no reasoning behind using any kind of enhancers in high school. Most all of us are still growing, why do we need to try to add more of anything into our system? Also, most high school students don’t know how they are affecting their bodies while taking these supplements. If a student was to “overstock” their system they could cause permanent damage, without even knowing it. I feel that there should be a ban on any high school student using a protein or amino acid enhancer unless properly educated on the side effects. As for college, I feel a little lenient.

These students are trying to compete with each other. And, because of their age these students would have the knowledge, and assistance monitoring their bodies reaction to supplementation. However; for Professional and the Olympics Sporting, taking said supplements are simply out of the question. These “Athletes” are supposed to be the ones kids look up to. I know this may contradict my earlier statement with college students, but these Professional and Olympic athletes get paid huge pay checks to be the best, but how can they be their best if they’re using an aid?

REFERENCES y/Drug+Testing/Resources/ y/Drug+Testing/Resources/ /protein-powder 11/protein-powder detail.asp?articleid= detail.asp?articleid= htm htm