Protein supplements – do they work?

By LS Greg Probyn

Open up any of the latest fitness magazines and nearly every third page will have some sort of training supplement with supposed properties that will make you stronger, faster, fitter and of course, lose weight.

But how do you know what is right for you? Supplements range in flavour and texture. They come in powders, tablets and liquids. You can add them to milk, water, yoghurt and fruit juice.

And, of course, some of them even taste terrible. But which one should you use?

I know it can be overwhelming when you walk into a health shop or sports supplementation shop to see floor to ceiling, wall to wall products, some of which you have no idea about.

When you buy these products, don’t make the purchase because of Dorian Yates standing on the label.

The best thing to do is ask questions and read. Ask questions from people who you know would use these supplements.

A week ago I was talking to a Chief PTI who has been in the PT branch since 1981, and he made the comment that he had only just started taking creatine.

He told me that some people had asked him about it and he could not really answer their questions because he had not tried any creatine products.

Just remember though, these products are another form of ergogenic aid, and what your body does not use will just pass through your digestive system, and that can be quite a lot.

Many of the products you also see in the muscle and fitness magazines are from America, which is not as strict with its food and drug laws as we are here in Australia. Last but not least, let’s talk steroids.

Apart from being an illegal substance (refer to DIG PERS 15-2), the side-effects are more than enough to turn you away. Looks aren’t everything, and at then end of the day your health is more important to you than the amount of weight that you can bench press.

But before you jump into the deep end, you should take a good look at what your diet consists of, because there is enough protein in lean meats, fish and dairy products.

If any one would like to see anything special or have any questions answered you can drop me a line via e-mail to greg.probyn@defence.gov.au.