Nutrition and health are integrally intertwined, and completely individual, making it necessary for athletes to discover the regime that works best for them. In two articles in the Times Herald-Record on June 30, reporters talked with several different student athletes, seeking their perspective on the effects of sports supplements such as protein and creatine.
The majority of athletes interviewed had very positive results. Tyler Lawlor, the starting quarterback at Cornwall, took N.O.-Xplode, an energy booster, and Up Your Mass protein shake and has more power in his training and enhanced performance. Protein, in the form of Monster Milk, also made the difference for Eddie Donohue, a wrestler who found extra protein augmented his muscle mass and strength. Similar results were reported by A.J. Kmiec, who used Cyto Gainer during a strict training regimen to gain muscle and enhance his performance. Kmiec’s father, Adam, added, “The stuff in there is all natural. There’s much more weight on him and he’s faster. And he was quick before.'”
The protein product Muscle Milk got mixed reviews from two athletes. Nick Karnavezos, a basketball player who hopes to move into football, said the combination of Muscle Milk and consistent strength training has made a huge difference in his weight and strength. But Brian Clarke, a recent graduate of Burke Catholic, said he turned to Muscle Milk protein shake to help increase his muscle mass and strength. After two weeks of sporadic usage, he stopped taking the product as “it just wasn’t doing it for me.” Instead, he adds peanut butter by the tablespoon-full to shakes and turns to eggs and Carnation instant breakfast to start his day.