268: Should I Let My Teen Take Supplements?

Teenagers increasingly face pressure to use supplements like creatine to enhance athletic performance, often driven by social media influencers and peer dynamics. Parents should approach these requests with caution, prioritizing a consultation with a pediatrician to assess safety for developing bodies and to avoid unnecessary power struggles. While some supplements may seem benign, they often serve as a gateway to more concerning substances or unhealthy body image fixations. Parents can mitigate these risks by maintaining open communication, questioning the underlying motivations for performance enhancement, and emphasizing the importance of whole foods over processed alternatives. When teens prioritize bodybuilding over team sports or isolate themselves from adult guidance, it signals a need for closer monitoring and potential intervention. Establishing clear boundaries around supplement use helps protect teens from the pervasive, profit-driven marketing targeting their insecurities.