Protein Shakes! Myths or Not?

[Yugoslavia]

I have been using protein shakes for about 4 months now.
I'm 15 years old. about 5'9 in height and I weigh 150lbs.

A lot of people are telling me that protein shakes aren't good for me. They say that using protein shakes can lead to liver problems, altering of hormones, and other things. Can you please comment on this thank you.

I also take a multivitamin each morning after breakfast and a B complex after dinner.

[Outside backer]

wow, let me guess mommy and daddy , and your friends mommy and daddy's are tell you this?

[welshwarrior]

Don't listen to them, they are talking rubbish. Everyone eats protein and a protein powder is just the protein with all of the other rubbish taken out of it. So next time someone tells you this just tell them that you only take the stuff to make up for any shortfalls in your protein intake and want to get the protein without all of the other fats and carbs that are in foods.

[EMISGOD]

If taken too far, as in to the level of carb depletion, inexperienced persons could wind up introducing ketosis or even ketoacidosis, both of which tend to be pretty hard on both the liver and kidneys and are definitely not good ideas for bodies undergoing hormonal changes.

However, adding a protein shake (or 2 or 3) to your normal diet (which should have a good balance of macros) should not cause any more problems than adding a soda or bag of chips and is considerably better than either of those other two alternatives...

[Mr75]

they're not gonna be myths becasue the whole point of protein is for growth and repair FACT.

[5Six]

As Emisgod said, in extreme cases, yes, too much protein can be bad for you. This is only possible when your daily carb intake is abouve 100 g.

Some of the proposed theories of excess protein intake is.

- An increased calorie intake which can lead to deposts of fat. But if you are a bodybuilder or a cardio junkie, there is a good chance that these "excess" calories will be burned off

- High protein foods often contain high fat content. Well in this case protein shakes are not high in fat. I think ON 100% Whey has 1 g of fat per scoop. Chicken and tuna also have very lower fat content.

- Possible calcium loss from bone with animal protein

- The infamous overworked/damaged kidenys and liver. I talked to a few doctors 'bout this one and said as long as you maintain a high water intake, which you should be doing any how. THis shouldn't be a problem at all

- Cancer. How? No idea. There is no firm evidence on this because it is hard to seperate protein intake from an excees of total calories and a life style. People who tend be sedentary have high calorie intake and phsyically inactive. So it is hard to isolate the effects of protein intake and if it does cause cancer.

- Gout. Supposdly when we eat meat we also consume alcohol along with it. I gotta say, this last one is pretty far fetched.

But adding a protein shake or two to your diet shouldn't be a problem at all.

[hosscat]

as with what everyone else has already said protein will not hurt you unless you absolutely abuse it. 2 or 3 shakes a day and you will be fine. im guessin the people who told you not to drink protein shakes are older people that don't work out.

[hoop762]

When i was in college i was supping 180 grams a day, and getting another 120-150 a day from food. Dont worry about getting too much protein. You would have to try so hard that you would almost have to do it on purpose

[POLAIRIS_]

wow, let me guess mommy and daddy , and your friends mommy and daddy's are tell you this?

^^agreed

My parents told me the same thing, and my dad was a profesional Bases Ball player and he was even ignorant to the fact that protien shakes were good for you (calling them steroids, LOL); not bad. But like everything else take them in moderation with a good diet for the best results. Also, remember a protien shake or meal replacement shake doesn't make up for a good nutricious meal.

[extremenergy3]

Protein does hurt the kidneys, in excess of course. So make sure to drink lots of water (which we all should be doing anyway!).

[egoatdoor]

as with what everyone else has already said protein will not hurt you unless you absolutely abuse it. 2 or 3 shakes a day and you will be fine. im guessin the people who told you not to drink protein shakes are older people that don't work out.

Agree, but at 15 years old, be careful not to rely too much on shakes and supplements. You need alot of solid food at your age.

[NitroNeil]

Its called a supplement for a reason, it SUPPLEMENTS your diet, its not your diet.

Try to get about half of your protein from whole foods, and drink a gallon of water a day(there is a water calculator in the database for ya to play with)

I assume you go to school, like me, and find it very annoying to have to go every period in the day, but when you can, down the water. I know some teachers that are cool with it, and they let me go whenever, but some can be *******s about it. After lunch, I down about 40oz of water, and about 10oz an hour till the end of the day till lifting, then I fill my 50oz bottle back up and usually have to fill it up again before the end of the workout.

Creatine is the same deal, its not a steroid, it wont kill you, it wont make your kidneys rot(as long as you dont OD on it lol) if they are healthy, if you have current renal implications, I would advise to have your doctor check ya out before going on it. Also, be sure to drink a ton of water while your on it. If you play fball, its harder to stay hydrated sometimes during 2 a days and practices and such, so I would limit your intake of that, but I'm getting way off topic right now, so I'll stop ...

Keep your body in a nutritional surplus = gains