Just visited the doctor...

[Bazi]

So I went to the doctor today and my mom insisted I tell him about the supplements I've been taking and in essence he told me everything was a waste.

He told me everything I took would come out in my piss and I was wasting money. Unlike from what other people have said here on the subject of creatine he didn't tell me it would harm me but he said it wasn't doing me any good either.

He told me years of supplemental research proves things like whey protein, casein, etc are of no use for me.

Is this true? I was expecting him to say these things but it did get me thinking if it really was a waste should I keep putting money into my supps? I'm not goin crazy and buying every possible supplement I can use so it isn't too hard on my wallet but is it truely a waste?

I also told him how I wanted to get up to a certain weight and then lower my caloric intake to reduce my bodyfat and he told me when you lose weight the first thing that goes is muscle and what I was planning on doing is pointless. This really confused me because I see people here all the time bulk up and then go on a cut and lower there BF and still look bigger then they did before, how can this be true?

Anyone have any sort of proof that would counter argue my doctors points?

[thefast]

The question is does the doctor have any proof that what he's saying isn't regurgitated bull****??? No?? Because that's exactly what it is.

Just because someone is a doctor don't believe everything they say. They don't know everything about everything.

[Rodzilla]

I'm sure your doctor isn't up on the latest research.

If he was talking about most of the supplements you see with a prop blend containing tiny amounts of a million ingredients, I would agree. Whey protein however has been researched extensively. Is is a must? No. Is it useful? Yes.

[joeysby]

yea ive heard this from doctors before too.

but i can tell you that i have taken supps that work too. when i took ephedra back in the day i lost a sh*t load of pounds. when i started protien and creatine i gained muscle and got alot stronger. so for me it was worth the money. cause these supps are proven to work.

on the other hand he is right that you piss and sh*t alot of it out. and that some supps are a complete waste of time and money. i have seen doctors in gnc buying protien and creatine and all kinds of other stuff to like vitamins, so that says somthing right there.


but if you buy a supp and it gets you to watch your diet and go to the gym... it may just be worth it for you.

[MoonWalker0]

yah what the doc said was correct.

muscle is:

70% water.
22% PROTEIN
6% lipids
2% inorganic material

the reason supp use is encouraged on here is to increase sales of products.

[Westboarder]

You are what you eat. Plain and simple.

[LPForsythe8]

Wtf? How does he know protein is of no use for you? I simply use protein because of CONVENIENCE...It takes less than 5 minutes to eat, so if I'm at work or I'm out somewhere I don't sit around munching on chicken and veggies and **** wasting time...

[JAGCPT]

Many supplements are indeed a waste of time, but whey protein is not one of them. There are plenty of studies supporting the increased protein needs for building muscle. How much exactly is subject to debate, but not the fact that you need more. The problem is that most standard research is done to average people and not athletes, so the doctors just see the general rule. There is, however, substantial research done on athletes. The doctors just need to take the time to go looking for it. For the most part, I've found that your basic supplements (e.g., whey protein, creatine, ephedrine, etc.) are supported by solid research. The fancy stuff that each manufacturer tries to sell, however, is often suspect. The entire reason I come to this forum is to see people quote the scientific studies showing that a particular supplement either does or does not work. You should do the same.

[Vipersg123]

yah what the doc said was correct.

muscle is:

70% water.
22% PROTEIN
6% lipids
2% inorganic material

the reason supp use is encouraged on here is to increase sales of products.

lol. So because we are mostly water that then means we have no use for protein. That argument isn't working.

[Joe D]

show him tons of research from pubmed.

[mapleleafmenace]

So I went to the doctor today and my mom insisted I tell him about the supplements I've been taking and in essence he told me everything was a waste.

He told me everything I took would come out in my piss and I was wasting money. Unlike from what other people have said here on the subject of creatine he didn't tell me it would harm me but he said it wasn't doing me any good either.

He told me years of supplemental research proves things like whey protein, casein, etc are of no use for me.

Is this true? I was expecting him to say these things but it did get me thinking if it really was a waste should I keep putting money into my supps? I'm not goin crazy and buying every possible supplement I can use so it isn't too hard on my wallet but is it truely a waste?

I also told him how I wanted to get up to a certain weight and then lower my caloric intake to reduce my bodyfat and he told me when you lose weight the first thing that goes is muscle and what I was planning on doing is pointless. This really confused me because I see people here all the time bulk up and then go on a cut and lower there BF and still look bigger then they did before, how can this be true?

Anyone have any sort of proof that would counter argue my doctors points?

How healthy/buff does your doc look to you?

How much practical, firsthand experience does he have with bulking and cutting, or lifting weights for that matter?

Is he aware of the fact that there are award-winning natural bodybuilders out there who swear by the bulk/cut?

With the right study/test parameters, you can prove anything. Who were those studies conducted by? Were they conducted by independent researchers, or were they conducted by companies/doctors that stood to make a profit if you save your money to spend on prescription meds?

What I'm getting at is that it's very easy to wave credentials in somebody's face and then feed them a bunch of hooey. And it's easy to get caught up in said hooey if the credentials are impressive enough, and forget to remain objective about everything you hear. No, I'm not saying what the doc told you was all hooey - there are a great many supps out there that are flat-out useless. The key is knowing what your body responds to, and knowing a thing or two about the science behind the ingredients from independent sources, not just those that stand to make money from the sales of said ingredient.

Next time you see him, try asking him those questions above. If you are willing to have someone pick apart your ideas, at least be willing to return the favor. Otherwise nobody will learn anything.

[sbeck0729]

To get any real input from a doctor it would need to be from an experienced physical therapist or a doctor specializing in sports nutrition and who's majority of patients are athletes.

[Dr Clay]

To get any real input from a doctor it would need to be from an experienced physical therapist or a doctor specializing in sports nutrition and who's majority of patients are athletes.

Very good point.

Something to keep in mind is that most MD's have never taken ONE nutrition class. So it makes as much since to ask him or her about financial matters as it does nutrition.

No matter ones education, to be knowledgeable in sports nutrition you MUST keep up with the latest research. Most don't make the time to do this.

Best,

[samson5002]

family doc is great when it comes to having a cold or sinus infection. What happens when it is something that isnt in their realm of expertise...they refer you to a specialist. A family doc is by no means a nutritionist, ortho, or sports med specialist. Dont sweat it, keep training hard, eating right, and taking the appropriate supps and dont worry about his nonsense when it comes to weight training. I had the doc tell me I needed to focus on cardio4-5 days a week with stretching and only train with light weights 2 days a week. Ontop of this I needed to eat less protein and more pasta and bread. Sounds like a sweet recipe for runners body...ewww

[joeysby]

family doc is great when it comes to having a cold or sinus infection. What happens when it is something that isnt in their realm of expertise...they refer you to a specialist. A family doc is by no means a nutritionist, ortho, or sports med specialist. Dont sweat it, keep training hard, eating right, and taking the appropriate supps and dont worry about his nonsense when it comes to weight training. I had the doc tell me I needed to focus on cardio4-5 days a week with stretching and only train with light weights 2 days a week. Ontop of this I needed to eat less protein and more pasta and bread. Sounds like a sweet recipe for runners body...ewww

more pasta and bread?? wtf are they doing? these are commonly linked to getting fat (if bleached and processed). whole grains are good.


Doctors cant have you getting to healthy or they will have no more customers!!!

cancer and heart attacks are thier bread and butter. (no pun)

[BULLandTERRIER]

more pasta and bread?? wtf are they doing? these are commonly linked to getting fat (if bleached and processed). whole grains are good.


Doctors cant have you getting to healthy or they will have no more customers!!!

cancer and heart attacks are thier bread and butter. (no pun)

ha hahahaha

[Tyler44]

He fed you bull**** honestly. Arguements can be made that N.O., BCAA, and other products are a waste BUT two things that are proven time and time again are Whey Protein and Creatine. It really doesnt matter that hes an MD, Im in nursing school and can tell you first hand alot of them talk out their ass to look smarter than the average person or nurse even.

[MassiveIntense]

alot of them talk out their ass to look smarter than the average person or nurse even.

bingo


but don't cross off your doctor just yet, hes a doctor and theres a reason hes still practicing. do what others have said and see a doctor that specializes in sports/athetlic things.

[quank]

Just visited the doctor...

[uhockey]

Moral of the story, despite the "downtalk" by 17 year olds, chiropractors, and other non-medical doctors is this: 99% of these products are not FDA approved and as such doctors cannot "back" them to the extent of randomized controlled trials and evidence based medicine. With the new quality standards coming and the uptrending cost of medical malpractice it is impossible to say "I think it is a good idea for you to take unproven product A" because if someone had an adverse reaction and sued the doctor, the plaintif would win.

That said, being smart about your supplements, buying from reputable brands, and doing your own reasearch is the best thing. Dollars-to-donuts, most of the supps on the market are not doing anything positive for you....hell, many probably don't contain the quality or quantity they claim. You can achieve the same exact thing with a chicken breast as you can with whey/casein and it is vastly more satiating.

Do I use supplements? Yes. Have I taken nutrition courses? Yep. Do I read the literature? Absolutely. Would I put my medical license behind a single product on the market and tell a patient that it was proven efficacious? No way in hell. What I do is tell people, to the best of my personal research and use, that I think a product does or does not do what it suggests and that the literature indicates that at the dosage recommended it is LIKELY safe. If something causes sides, quit immediately. If you get nothing out of it, well, you wasted money......don't buy it next time. Never will I say "Oh, you want to gain weight? Eat more sustain bars."

We're all adults here......well, except for the 14-17 year olds who shouldn't be taking any of this **** anyhow......so lets try to act like it. Do your research, make a personal opinion, and ask your doctor. If you don't like what the doctor tells you, ignore it.......I have a whole clinic full of diabetics and smokers who ignore me and I'm recommending FDA approved products for them.

[longsnapper50]

Moral of the story, despite the "downtalk" by 17 year olds, chiropractors, and other non-medical doctors is this: 99% of these products are not FDA approved and as such doctors cannot "back" them to the extent of randomized controlled trials and evidence based medicine. With the new quality standards coming and the uptrending cost of medical malpractice it is impossible to say "I think it is a good idea for you to take unproven product A" because if someone had an adverse reaction and sued the doctor, the plaintif would win.

That said, being smart about your supplements, buying from reputable brands, and doing your own reasearch is the best thing. Dollars-to-donuts, most of the supps on the market are not doing anything positive for you....hell, many probably don't contain the quality or quantity they claim. You can achieve the same exact thing with a chicken breast as you can with whey/casein and it is vastly more satiating.

Do I use supplements? Yes. Have I taken nutrition courses? Yep. Do I read the literature? Absolutely. Would I put my medical license behind a single product on the market and tell a patient that it was proven efficacious? No way in hell. What I do is tell people, to the best of my personal research and use, that I think a product does or does not do what it suggests and that the literature indicates that at the dosage recommended it is LIKELY safe. If something causes sides, quit immediately. If you get nothing out of it, well, you wasted money......don't buy it next time. Never will I say "Oh, you want to gain weight? Eat more sustain bars."

We're all adults here......well, except for the 14-17 year olds who shouldn't be taking any of this **** anyhow......so lets try to act like it. Do your research, make a personal opinion, and ask your doctor. If you don't like what the doctor tells you, ignore it.......I have a whole clinic full of diabetics and smokers who ignore me and I'm recommending FDA approved products for them.

dead on answer right here.

[bigbeaph]

more pasta and bread?? wtf are they doing? these are commonly linked to getting fat (if bleached and processed). whole grains are good.


Doctors cant have you getting to healthy or they will have no more customers!!!

cancer and heart attacks are thier bread and butter. (no pun)

AMEN....Thank god that obesity is now a disease right! It is all about the $$ for a majority of the F#$%#$@....It's hard to find a good doc who is there to help and has some common sense - They sure know how to sign a script for their favorite meds though...kickbacks??? But I do give mad props to the one's out there who are here to help - the few the proud? HA!

[longsnapper50]

AMEN....Thank god that obesity is now a disease right! It is all about the $$ for a majority of the F#$%#$@....It's hard to find a good doc who is there to help and has some common sense - They sure know how to sign a script for their favorite meds though...kickbacks??? But I do give mad props to the one's out there who are here to help - the few the proud? HA!

hey that is modern health care for you

greed/power > good of the people... basically what it boils down to

[demonwareltd]

Moral of the story, despite the "downtalk" by 17 year olds, chiropractors, and other non-medical doctors is this: 99% of these products are not FDA approved and as such doctors cannot "back" them to the extent of randomized controlled trials and evidence based medicine. With the new quality standards coming and the uptrending cost of medical malpractice it is impossible to say "I think it is a good idea for you to take unproven product A" because if someone had an adverse reaction and sued the doctor, the plaintif would win.

That said, being smart about your supplements, buying from reputable brands, and doing your own reasearch is the best thing. Dollars-to-donuts, most of the supps on the market are not doing anything positive for you....hell, many probably don't contain the quality or quantity they claim. You can achieve the same exact thing with a chicken breast as you can with whey/casein and it is vastly more satiating.

Do I use supplements? Yes. Have I taken nutrition courses? Yep. Do I read the literature? Absolutely. Would I put my medical license behind a single product on the market and tell a patient that it was proven efficacious? No way in hell. What I do is tell people, to the best of my personal research and use, that I think a product does or does not do what it suggests and that the literature indicates that at the dosage recommended it is LIKELY safe. If something causes sides, quit immediately. If you get nothing out of it, well, you wasted money......don't buy it next time. Never will I say "Oh, you want to gain weight? Eat more sustain bars."

We're all adults here......well, except for the 14-17 year olds who shouldn't be taking any of this **** anyhow......so lets try to act like it. Do your research, make a personal opinion, and ask your doctor. If you don't like what the doctor tells you, ignore it.......I have a whole clinic full of diabetics and smokers who ignore me and I'm recommending FDA approved products for them.

Well said...but the question that I have is this... Does your lifestyle determine your deathstyle?

[BuckeyeMuscle]

Moral of the story, despite the "downtalk" by 17 year olds, chiropractors, and other non-medical doctors is this: 99% of these products are not FDA approved and as such doctors cannot "back" them to the extent of randomized controlled trials and evidence based medicine. With the new quality standards coming and the uptrending cost of medical malpractice it is impossible to say "I think it is a good idea for you to take unproven product A" because if someone had an adverse reaction and sued the doctor, the plaintif would win.

That said, being smart about your supplements, buying from reputable brands, and doing your own reasearch is the best thing. Dollars-to-donuts, most of the supps on the market are not doing anything positive for you....hell, many probably don't contain the quality or quantity they claim. You can achieve the same exact thing with a chicken breast as you can with whey/casein and it is vastly more satiating.

Do I use supplements? Yes. Have I taken nutrition courses? Yep. Do I read the literature? Absolutely. Would I put my medical license behind a single product on the market and tell a patient that it was proven efficacious? No way in hell. What I do is tell people, to the best of my personal research and use, that I think a product does or does not do what it suggests and that the literature indicates that at the dosage recommended it is LIKELY safe. If something causes sides, quit immediately. If you get nothing out of it, well, you wasted money......don't buy it next time. Never will I say "Oh, you want to gain weight? Eat more sustain bars."

We're all adults here......well, except for the 14-17 year olds who shouldn't be taking any of this **** anyhow......so lets try to act like it. Do your research, make a personal opinion, and ask your doctor. If you don't like what the doctor tells you, ignore it.......I have a whole clinic full of diabetics and smokers who ignore me and I'm recommending FDA approved products for them.

Mike, can you be my physician?

[ILIFT!]

Is your doctor jacked? cause if he isn't, he's doing it wrong.

[Skigazzi]

Since when is th body's main source of fuel muscle tissue?

[patmedown167]

MANY doctors dont need nutrition classes to graduate, just saying.

[ImBIGGERThanU]

i'm sure close to 90% of sups people take ARE a waste of money. Whole food sources tend to be the best option (look at drinking 100% juice vs eating some fruit or veggies).

Why do you think so many companies are jumping into the Sup business... EASY MONEY - most of your dollars toward a sup are going toward advertising -

the placebo effect is a powerful thing. some sups are worth the money, but most are not.

(don't forget that when your body gets too much of something, or can't use it properly or at all, it get's filtered out, and that's how your pissing your money away).

[LT710]

Try to find a D.O.

They're much more open minded in general, and much more "up" on alternative methods. My doctor is a D.O., he actually competed in bodybuilding when he was younger, so I feel comfortable telling him about anything.