HEALTH NUT: Doctor discourages performance enhancing substances, so do I

[picapp align="none" wrap="false" link="term=sport+drink&iid=5167259" src="2/7/5/8/Closeup_of_a_2e5a.jpg?a" width="413" height="413" /]

Dr. Teri M. McCambridge, who practices pediatric sports medicine in Towson, Md., and is the chairwoman of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, told The New York Times she believes schools should be proactive in discouraging the use of performance-enhancing subtances.  According to McCambridge, most high school students do not know the importance of a recommended dose, which can lead to harmful side effects if misused.

The New York Times article mainly deals with fitness supplements such as whey protein (which hastens the recovery of muscles after a workout) and creatine (which adds water weight to your muscle so you can lift more and add size quickly), but are sports drinks and energy boosters damaging as well?  I think so.  And if that is the case, many STA students should start being more cautious of what they are putting into their bodies (see senior Kylie Hornbeck’s article: “St. Teresa’s Academy students use sports enhancers to increase energy, durability”).  

High energy drinks like Rooster Booster cannot be good for you.  They have so much sugar and risk of energy crashes.  As Julie Mohajir, health and wellness counselor, told The Dart, water is far more important than any energy drink.  

Being dehydrated even 2-3 percent decreases your athletic performance level.

Bottom line: I  agree with Dr. McCambridge and Stacey Zimmerman, a 25 year old and avid runner in New York who was also in The New York Times article, that you shouldn’t take things without knowing how they will affect your body.  And as Zimmerman said, “If my body won’t let me [do something] for some reason, then I probably shouldn’t be [doing] it.”

So next time you’re at Quick Trip, put down the Rooster Booster and grab a water.

Click here to check out The New York Times article: “When the Gym Isn’t Enough.”