Performance enhancing supplements are not necessary and absolutely harmful for teens

Since I am Con, I will start by rebutting my opponent. I'll take various quotes from his argument, and prove they are not true in all cases. Then, I will further precede by verbalizing my own opinions. "Supplements that promise not only faster results but better results influence the attitude that hard work comes secondary to the type of supplements you are taking in." That quote is completely dependent on the teenager. Many teenagers may value hard work, but use just a little Performance Enhancing Supplement to give them an "extra boost." Believe it or not, most teenagers are aware that these Supplements are dangerous and that they should limit the amount they partake of. "All of the ingredients that supplements offer (proteins, amino acids, and vitamins) can be adequately provided with a healthy diet." While Pro speaks truth about this matter, the amount and power of the amino acids in a "healthy diet" would be no where near the amount in Supplements. For instance, L-Arginine is an amino acid found in many performance Enhancing Supplements. Even the healthiest eater in the world cannot get that amount of proteins, vitamins, and/or amino acids whilst eating naturally. [1] "In addition, eating is one of life's pleasures. However, it is evident by supplement sales totaling over $23.7 billion a year that much is invested in the hope that supplements will help." Whether or not the teenager takes P.E. Supplements, I'm pretty sure he/she will still eat a hefty amount, especially if it's a boy. Have you seen those teenagers eat at buffets? Let me tell you, they realize the importance of food too well. Also, nowhere on the internet could I find a figure that said the sales for supplements totaled over $23.7 billion. The link you gave guided me to some Colorado State University website about agriculture. "The body also treats the listed supplements above as "synthetic". For example to effectively load creatine monohydrate in the body the user must not only take increased amounts for the first 5 days but must also continue a consistent regiment of it for months at a time to start seeing noticeable results. [2] Over time the body will slowly cease to producing natural ATP (ingredient found in creatine, transfers chemical energy to promote metabolism). Once the individual decides to cease taking creatine he/she faces the consequences increased muscle deterioration due to the fact that the body must fight to catch up producing natural chemicals. The same goes for protein supplements, testosterone, and fat burners (if requested either by the voters or Con I will gladly go into detail)." In large quantities, this is true. However, to the teenagers who use supplements, especially testosterone, this is utterly unfair and incorrect. Upon research of some supplements, I found that these supplements begin to work in less than a month's time. [2] You are wrong when you say a person must "also continue a consistent regiment of it for months at a time to start seeing noticeable results." While this is true for some supplements, this is not the case for most. "Collectively these supplements also strain vital organs due to the difficulty of digestion. The two in particular being the kidneys and liver take the brunt of the damage. According to Mayo Clinic, the kidneys and liver work to eliminate the by-products of protein metabolism, and may be taxed by the overuse of protein shakes and similar products. Over an extended period of time, protein shakes can damage the liver or kidneys, or may worsen pre-existing cases of organ failure." The key phrase in Pro's argument above is: "over an extended period of time." As mentioned before, you are assuming all supplement users are going to be taking these products for months or years on end. According to a CNN report, doctors have found little to no risks or side effects for short term supplement users. [3] "Thermogenics, and pre-workout supplements combined also quickly dehydrate the body seeing how they are both packed with doses of up to 200mg of caffeine in their products. This is not including the energy drinks, coffee, and other stimulants the individual may be taking daily." Don't let this seemingly high number of caffeine fool you. After all, there is more caffeine in one cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee then there is in some of the most powerful supplements. [4] Plus, most teenagers don't drink too much coffee per day anyway, so I don't think this factor should even be in consideration. "Let's talk about anabolic steroids; I will say that there are large quantities of evidence those anabolic steroids to provide medicinal benefits to those who need it (i.e. muscular dystrophy, patients with low T cells, COPD, and other hormone deficiencies) however this is not the argument. The potential for abuse increases drastically of those using AS recreationally. Not only that the lack of education of AS can lead significant medical complications due to higher risk of misuse dosages and improper handling. Another study combined methyltestosterone (15 mg/d) with imipramine (25-50 mg/d) and found a prompt paranoid response in 4 of 5 men treated. In a 1983 study of 32 weightlifters using AASs, 56% reported a temporary increase in self-defined irritability and aggressive behavior. When these psychoactive effects combine with strong positive reinforcement from weight and strength gains, as well as from improved self-image, AASs can prove addictive." Notice he amount of supplements those tested were taking. The doses these men/women were taking are far more than the usual athlete, let alone a teenager looking for a "boost." Small amounts are not addictive. [1] http://www.slideshare.net... [2] http://www.arginmax.com... [3]http://www-cgi.cnn.com... [4] http://www.cspinet.org...