Sports Supplements:
Many Risks, Little Benefit
by J. Keith Festa

Now is a perfect time for you, as a parent, to educate yourself about performance-enhancing drugs so you can discuss them with your teen. Speak to your doctor, coaches and state high school athletic association about these supplements. Inquire into his coach's opinion about the supplements as well as your child's teammates.

The next thing to know is that the effects of these substances have not been tested in teenagers or children. Studies in adults have shown the claims of many supplements are weak at best. Most don't make you stronger and none of them will increase your skill or make you faster. So chances are your teen is not getting the whole story about how these supplements work and the risks one takes using them.

These substances are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so they are not required to provide information about their possible side effects.

There are many reasons a teenager may start using these substances. Teens, as we know, are risk-takers because they tend to ignore their own mortality. They put themselves under great pressure to succeed in the sports world. Pressure can be added by peers, coaches and even parents to increase their performance. Many will reach a plateau in their training and performance, get frustrated and turn to drugs to get beyond it.

Some of their competitors take them, so they feel at a disadvantage. No testing is available or done on these drugs, so they don't have the fear of getting caught. In certain sports, there is an acceptance of the use of these drugs as the norm.

Monitor your teen's purchases and familiarize yourself with common supplements. Anabolic steroids have been at the center of the recent scandal in professional baseball. They are prescription medications. These hormones, known as "roids" or "juice," can build muscle tissue and increase muscle mass and strength. They are extremely dangerous drugs for teenagers because they can halt growth. They can also cause heart, liver and kidney damage.

Boys taking anabolic steroids can suffer from severe acne, baldness, infertility, breast enlargement and high blood pressure. Girls taking these drugs can develop male characteristics as well as all these other serious side effects.

Androstenedione (also known as Andro) and DHEA are other supplements taken. They are somewhat similar to the anabolic steroids by being pro-hormones. In 2004, Andro was banned as a controlled substance, making it illegal to use in athletics. Both of these drugs can cause hormone imbalances in teens, leading to much the same side effects as discussed with the anabolic steroids.

Creatine is another over-the-counter supplement popularly used by teens. Its claim to fame is for improving strength and energy. In adults, studies have not supported this claim.

Use by teens may leave them prone to dehydration, muscle cramps, nausea and diarrhea. High doses may theoretically be associated with hypertension and kidney problems.

"Fat burners" include ephedra, ma huang or popotillo. These supplements contain ephedrine, a stimulant similar to amphetamines. As you may remember, about two years ago ephedrine was a prominent media story because it can cause serious side effects of seizures, strokes, heart attack and death. Check the labels of any "fat burners," sports drinks and energy bars for this substance.

Doctors sometimes prescribe human growth hormone for teens with growth and hormone problems, but this medication can also be misused and abused by athletes.

Watch the training

As a parent, it is very important to discuss the unnecessary exposure, lack of evidence and high risk of performance-enhancing substances with your teen and that you expect them to avoid their use. Discuss your concerns with the coach and athletic director. Make sure safe-training techniques are emphasized and encourage patience for the training program to make a difference over time.

Train "harder and smarter" by avoiding other harmful substances, such as smoking, drinking and drugs of any type. Eating a better quality of foods and getting adequate rest are extremely important. Don't skip meals and eat well after a workout. If you're really worried, consult a professional about diet, weight training and aerobic exercise.

Most of all don't you be the reason your child is pressured into these dangerous practices. Reassure your teen of your love and support even if he did not perform well in competition.

Copyright 2006 The Journal News (Westchester County, NY) All Rights Reserved

Dr. J. Keith Festa is vice president of medical affairs/chief medical officer at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie and has been in family practice more than 15 years. He is also the school physician for the Marlboro Central School District. General questions for this column can be sent to lhlavaty@poughkeepsiejournal.com. The Journal News (Westchester County, New York) http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com