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Bodybuilding Supplements Teens Should Avoid

Male teen bodybuilders have a natural advantage over older bodybuilders. Their bodies naturally produce anabolic steroids, such as testosterone and growth hormone. They definitely don't need any more! In fact, taking more can have the opposite effect, according to the bodybuilding guide at About.

Worryingly, increasing your natural hormone levels artificially can make the body think that puberty is over. As a consequence you can end up smaller than what you might naturally have been. This is because it closes the growth plates, which are areas of growing tissue near the end of long bones. Thus, teens should avoid testosterone supplements, and those that increase the body's testosterone levels, such as Andros. That shouldn't be too hard as the US government is going to ban all types of supplements that increase your testosterone levels. I don't know if this also extends to tribulus.

And, of course, teens should definitely avoid body building steroids. Even the community of adults who use them are adamant they should not by used by teens or adults in their early 20's.

Teen bodybuilders should also avoid growth hormone, DHEA, and fat burners like xenadrine (ECA's). Interestingly, the promoters of xenadrine were taken to court by the FDA for making misleading statements about their product's effectiveness.

Some people recommend that teens stay away from all supplements, arguing that they should (and can) get ample amounts of the most important - protein - from food. However, if you have a particularly fast metabolism, or just want to make sure you're getting a good quality, lean protein, then a protein powder might be the way to go.

On the same note, taking a good quality multivitamin will make sure you're getting all the minerals and vitamins you need as well.

Ultimately, training wisely and hard (taking into account your age and abilities) are the best way to gain muscle. This is true of all ages, but particularly so for teens who have naturally high levels of the growth producing testosterone and growth hormones.

References:

1. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/undercover26.htm
2. http://bodybuilding.about.com/od/bodybuildingfaq/f/TeenSupplements.htm
3. http://www.teenbodybuilding.com/teenbasics.htm
4. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/07/xenadrine.shtm