Protein is not a steroid! Explained for all beginners

Is protein dangerous? Although it may seem like a completely unnecessary question to experienced athletes, for beginnersathletes who have no experience with dietary supplements, this topic is very topical. Especially from older people (parents, grandparents, acquaintances) they may hear that proteins are harmful, dangerous and so on. It is therefore understandable that some beginners (especially younger ones) may be apprehensive about taking protein. In this article, we will therefore answer all the questions that may be bothering novice athletes in relation to protein.

What is protein?

Let's start from the very basics. Don't know what protein is made of and are worried that there are dangerous substances in it? You certainly don't have to worry. Protein products are made in the vast majority of cases from whey, which is produced as a by-product of milk in the production of cheese and other dairy products. This whey is gently processed to ensure that it contains as little fat and carbohydrate as possible, but retains as much protein as possible. The whey base usually makes up about 75 % of the protein composition. The rest is mainly sweeteners (because unflavoured whey doesn't taste very good), flavourings for a better aroma, and a very cleanand often also added digestive enzymes or probiotic cultures to help make the protein as digestible as possible. Whey protein therefore contains nothing that you wouldn't find in most foods you normally buy in the supermarket. For more detailed information on protein production processes, how they are broken down and how to use them, see our article Whey Protein Under the Spotlight.

Is protein harmful?

The answer to this question is simple: no. Whey protein really isn't dangerous or harmful. If protein made from milk were harmful, then milk itself would have to be harmful. But whey protein, on the other hand, contains less fat, carbohydrates and lactose, so it is in factis actually more digestible and more beneficial to athletes than ordinary milk. The colourings and sweeteners that protein contains are equally present in all the foods you have in your fridge at home and eat every day. It is true that some proteins contain dyes or sweeteners that are not entirely appropriate. But these are exceptional cases and, again, you will find these substances in other foods as well. Moreover, it should be stressed that all substances found in proteins must be authorised in the European Union. Therefore, you do not have to worry that proteins contain any banned and harmful additives.

Protein and liver problems

On the internet, you may occasionally come across articles saying that proteins are dangerous because they threaten liver health. The reality, however, is that whey protein is the most researched dietary supplement of all. If any scientific studies have shown that protein could have any negative on liver health, it's always been in cases of long-term overuse. In this context, however, it must be said thatexcessive consumption of anything is aand whey proteins are no different from ordinary foods in this respect. For more information on excessive protein consumption and the risks associated with it, see our article on protein overdose.

What is anabolic protein?

A widespread myth that often circulates among people who are not familiar with sports supplementsThe supposed link between whey protein and anabolic steroids is a common misconception. You may even come across the phrase "anabolic protein". However, there is no such thing. While anabolic steroids can indeed be dangerous and their use is definitely not recommended, whey protein is something completely different. The two terms have nothing to do with each other and are two completely different things.

Nor is it true that perhaps the protein you buy might contain some steroids. As said before, proteins only contain permitted substances that you can also find in regular foods. Besides the fact that it would make no sense and would be banned, it wouldn't even be profitable for protein manufacturers to do something like that. Why would they secretly add such expensive substances to their products that would ultimately make them lose money on protein sales?

Is protein suitable for children?

Are you starting to exercise and wondering how old you can take protein? Or are you thinking about whether to buy protein for your child? Since protein contains completely harmless substances that are also found in normal food, there is no reason to worry that it will do any harm to children. However, care should be taken to ensure that the protein has a good, high-quality composition. On the other hand, I think that in the vast majority of cases there is no need for children to take protein. Unless they are doing some extreme sports, as a rule, they should have no problem taking in enough protein from regular food. However, if they are playing intense sports and cannot manage to take in enough protein from their normal diet, there is no reason why they should not be able to take protein.

Summary in conclusion

Protein is not a steroid. Whey protein is completely safe, it does not contain any substances that you would not find in regular foods that you regularly buy at the store and, when the recommended dosage is followed, pose no health risks. Therefore, you don't have to worry that taking whey protein will do you any harm. On the contrary, it can help you achieve the desired athletic results. On the other hand, it's not a good idea to think of protein as some kind of miracle elixir that will automatically make your muscles grow.

If you don't know what to do with protein, our article The right protein dosage will help you : When and how much to take? Our comparison of the best proteins will help you choose the ideal protein for you and if you'd like to learn about the best protein on the market, read our review of Prom-IN CFM Pure Performance.

If you have any questions about the topic, feel free to contact us in the comments below.