Sports medicine specialists and physicians say supplements may not be safe for kids. A report in June Consumer Reports magazine warns that creatine, androstenedione and ephedra are the most popular sports supplements that should concern parents and teens. It is not known.
Girls tend to take ephedra because it is associated with weight loss.
Except for creatine s, the supplements effectiveness has not been proved in well-conducted studies. No studies show the long-term effects of the supplements on teens. At best, a handful of studies are available on short-term creatine use by teens. We do not know if these supplements have any effect on the growth and development of teens. A 1999 survey conducted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association of 1,103 kids in grades six-12 showed that kids get the supplements primarily from stores, then from friends or teammates.