Everyone has their own ways of how they want to lose weight and add muscle, but sometimes using supplements to achieve that can become risky.
Muscle builders and supplements are becoming popular as Americans want to live healthier lifestyles.
But as more people are figuring out, what you thought was helping you, may actually be hurting you.
Gabe Wingert of Sloan, Iowa just wanted to bulk up for baseball.
"First I used Creatine for about a month and half, and then I kind of laid off that for a while. Then I bought some more pills, while I was using those it swelled up my throat– so I stopped using those."
Gabe isn't alone, pick up any bottle of supplements and look at the label, do you actually know what you're putting into your body?
"The concern is what is actually in these things. The nutritional supplements fall under the category the same as basically food and vitamins and so there is no rigorous testing done by the FDA anymore than there is with vitamins.” Says Dr. Jeremy Vandezande of Dakota Dunes Mercy Clinic.
No rigorous testing by the FDA, is leading some young men and women to use a supplement that may actually be hurting them, more than it's helping.
Doctors say the key is moderation when it comes to using muscle builders.
"Protein shakes and bars are probably just fine. Although the average American male gets plenty of dietary protein.” Says Dr. Vandezande.
While mood swings, insomnia, increased energy and in some cases liver failure can all be side effects caused by using supplements, it's noticing those side effects and putting a stop to what is causing them– that is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
But that doesn't mean you have to stop using supplements all together.
"I'm probably going to continue using protein, but none of the other supplements besides protein. I want a future in baseball, that’s why I started taking the protein because there are no negative side effects." Says Wingert.
Moderation is key. Doctors and supplement experts say to follow the suggested doses as stated to ensure there are no adverse side effects.
Maintaining a healthy diet and remaining hydrated on top of using muscle builders are also the best ways to ensure what you are using, works.
