Protein supplements do not only come with benefits for health, but the downsides also have to be addressed. Check out the latest reports about the matter below.
Risks of using protein supplements
Protein powder has become a common supplement among fitness enthusiasts. Approximately 25% of gym-goers use it. However, not many are aware of the potential health impacts related to male fertility.
The World Health Organization states that infertility affects about one in six people globally, with male infertility accounting for up to half of these cases.
However, many men are oblivious to the fact that their lifestyle choices can significantly impact their reproductive health.
“In the context of male fertility, the concern is over the increasing use of protein supplements,” Meurig Gallagher, an assistant professor at the Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research at the University of Birmingham in the U.K., told Newsweek.
“The main concern is the high levels of the female hormone estrogen that comes from both whey and soy protein supplements.”
The notes continued and said:
“Too much female hormone can cause problems with the amount and quality of sperm that a man can produce. Many protein supplements that can be bought have been found to be contaminated by anabolic steroids, which can cause reduced sperm count, shrunken testicles, and erectile dysfunction, among other things.”
A recent study published in the journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online investigated whether young adults were aware of the potential impacts of supplementation on infertility.
The study was conducted by Gallagher and his team, who surveyed young adults aged 18 to 25 attending university.
The survey revealed that 79 percent of men and 56 percent of women surveyed in this population use protein supplements, which is a matter of concern in the context of fertility.
The team also found that there was a significant lack of awareness around male reproductive health in general in the population of young adults surveyed.
According to Gallagher, while people were aware of the problems associated with anabolic steroid use, very few understood that gym protein supplementation can have negative effects.
