Sports Supplements And Young Athletes

Many young athletes see sports supplements as a way to enhance performance in their chosen sport. After all what teen doesn't dream of being a sports star. But are the supplementary benefits worth the cost? Will a supplement have any effect at all on performance in a particular sport? Are sport supplements allowed by your child's sports organization? And most importantly, is supplementing safe for teens?

Ordering online can save you up to 50% off the retail price of a sports supplement. Also keep an eye out for in store supplement sales at nutrition centers or sporting goods stores. But even discounted, the cost of sport supplements is relatively high, especially considering studies have been unable to prove that a supplemented performance is any better then one in which athletes are supplement free.

Keep in mind that most youth sports organizations prohibit usage of certain supplements. Creatine and ephedra are two of the sport supplements most commonly cited in bans by organized sports. When considering supplement use, be sure to check with your team organization for a specific list of banned supplements.

Because supplements can be purchased over the counter and are most often made of vitamins, herbs and other natural ingredients, many young athletes and their parents are led to believe supplementing is safe. The truth is no comprehensive studies have been done as to the long-term effects of supplement use in youth sports. Although many adults have had safe and effective experiences with sport supplements, in adult studies the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, etc. have been noted. If after careful research a young athlete is considering a supplemented regimen, a pediatric consultation should be the first step.

For more information or to choose from a variety of related products and services, choose from the following:

About The Author:

Martin Smith is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-vitamins-n-supplements.com An online resource for buying all kinds of vitamins and supplements find information Tips and reviews..