(November 22, 2005) — “You know, I’ll just do the four scoops, toss it into a blender with some milk and take it like that after training, but if the situation doesn’t allow, I’ll just eat straight powder,” says senior Daniel Drugan regarding his favorite sport supplement, Weight Gain 1850. “You really can’t get anywhere with just protein, you got to throw in some carbs.” In this vast market of various sports nutrition products as endless tubs of whey protein powder, creatine stacks and amino acid tablets, it has become increasingly important to know exactly what to buy, or have an unforgivable damaging blow to your wallet. While sports supplements do give athletes and recreational bodybuilders an edge in optimizing their physical potential, it also becomes necessary to know exactly what supplement to take and how much of it will do the job. Modern society’s race to be “fit” and “cut” has been painfully exhibited by steroid suicide cases and artificial people trying to market an image and the same supplements that guarantee that image. While most sports supplements cannot guarantee the beefcake image, what they can offer are exchanges in fat to lean muscle mass, increased strength, increased endurance and general weight gain. Although they all may closely resemble each other in physical states of powder and containers, there are big differences in each as each different product is being sold for a different purpose. Though Stroup wanted students to use a master’s painting, junior Dana Boulos was an exception. “I chose mine from an anonymous painter’s online gallery, and it’s pretty contemporary, so I think my project will end up being very different from everybody else’s,” said Boulos. The most common and widely used supplement by young athletes are weight gainers, which are primarily comprised of whey protein isolate and carbohydrates. They can pack up to 930 calories and on average 50 grams of protein per serving. The concept of weight gain supplements is to provide the body with extra nutrition. While feeding protein to recovering muscles and to promote muscular synthesis, it supplies the body with extra carbs, so the body doesn’t have to take away and feed off muscles and protein to make up for caloric requirements. The labels claim that 30lb. gains have been proven in as little as three months, and although that can seem a bit farfetched, most athletes say that with adequate training, weight gainers do indeed prove themselves. Another supplement on the scene is creatine, which is a naturally occurring chemical in our bodies and abundant in red meat and fish. The bonus is increased strength, especially in explosive and burst like movements. The science is that creatine enables utilization of more ATP and energy to the muscles, resulting in more muscular strength. With the added strength, more weight can be handled and, in turn, provide muscles with enough stimulus to grow. Other supplements out there are pretty much breakdowns of proteins, aminos, carbs and creatine sold separately, all in an effort to grab extra change from the unsuspecting buyer. In general, they are great catalysts for muscular development. “They’re safe, and they provide the necessary nutrition,” says a representative from the Discount Vitamin Store in Montrose. “What we don’t recommend and don’t carry are hormones. They’re unsafe and can become a potential health risk.” Although the benefits of the supplements are alluring and desirable, many athletes still go old fashioned and step up their diet to accommodate their developing physiques. “I don’t take supplements, but a lot of guys on the [GHS football team] take them,” says senior Anthony Darmiento. “I just go old-fashioned and eat more and lift weights. That’s all it takes.”