When you are determined to gain weight and muscle mass you might be attracted by various nutritional supplements available on the market. Taking weight gainer supplements is a common and popular thing, especially for people who are underweight and skinny. But is it okay to take weight gain supplements to increase your body mass? Is mass gainer good for skinny guys?
Weight gainer supplements are not for everyone and they are not really the magical solution for your underweight problem as the manufacturers of these supplements would like you to believe. Taking weight gainer supplements often result in gaining fat in your body instead of muscle mass. These weight gainer supplements contain carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The amounts are different from product to product. Some of these supplements also contain branched-chain amino acids (BCCAs), creatine, and other minerals. Many of these substances are not good for all and they may trigger allergic reactions and other side effects if they are taken inappropriately. In this article, we are going to explore the weight gainer side effects.
Weight Gainer Side Effects
1. Unhealthy Weight Gain
Most of the weight gain supplements on the market contain sugar to sweeten the products. The main reason for this addition of excessive artificial sweeteners is to hide the bitter taste of these weight gain supplements. It also works as the source of carbohydrates to assist in weight gaining. Sugar works as the fuel of our body but the problem with sugar is that it is fully packed with calories without the necessary fibers as any natural sugar source should have. The inclusion of different kinds of sugar increases the calorie value of the supplement. The excess calories remained in the body after being burnt through our daily activities are stored as fat, which leads to weight gain. However, you wouldn’t want such an unhealthy way of weight gain since it comes from the fat stored in your body instead of the increased muscle mass.
2. Increased Insulin Resistance
Insulin is an important hormone produced in the liver to aid in the digestion process of the food we eat. When we take carbohydrates or proteins our livers release insulin to help digest food. Carbs induce more insulin in comparison to proteins. Excessive intake of carbs, especially sugar causes chronic insulin resistance in our body, which increases the risk of heart diseases, obesity, and diabetes. Most of the weight gain supplements contain a load of carbs which may make your body more insulin resistant.
3. Increased Diabetes Risk
Being at risk for diabetes is one of the most concerning weight gainer side effects. The main reason is various kinds of sugar generally used in weight gain supplements. Before taking any weight gainer supplement, you must check out the nutrition facts of the product and the percentage of calories coming from sugar. Be aware of many pseudo names of sugar like maltodextrin. In a study conducted by scientists at the University of Reading, it was found that the amount of sugar intake was directly correlated with fat storage, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.
4. Liver Damage
Liver filters out the toxins produced from the metabolism process of our body. Excessive proteins hamper the natural metabolic process of the body that put extra pressure on the liver. A medical journal published in 2013 by the International Scholarly Research Notices stated that an extra intake of protein over than the recommended daily dietary allowance can cause liver damage or hamper the liver function at the very least. In fact, chronic liver damage is one of the most dangerous side effects of weight gainer powders.
5. Stomach & Allergic Problems
Mass gainer supplements can cause such effects as stomach cramps and bloat. These kinds of stomach problems are often linked to food allergies and food intolerance. These occur in many users as a reaction to whey or soy protein or amino acids. People who are lactose intolerant can’t take casein and whey milk proteins as their intestines create a significant amount of gas in the fermentation process. If they take lactose protein they usually suffer from stomach cramps or flatulence.
If you are lactose intolerant or you have any kind of allergy it is recommended that you carefully check out the contents of the supplement you are taking. If you are still having any allergic reactions or any other side effects it may be wise to stop taking the supplements and consult your doctor.
6. Creatinine Levels
Creatine is a supplement often taken by fitness lovers and bodybuilders to enhance exercise performance and build muscle. Creatine is removed from the body by the dialysis process of the kidneys. In several studies, it was found that creatine intake of over the recommended level can impair the normal kidney function. Although creatine intake is considered safe, recent discoveries have raised questions about the effect of creatine intake on the kidneys. Most of the weight gainer supplements available on the market contain creatine to boost the muscle building process. People suffering from kidney stones or other chronic kidney diseases must take utmost precaution before taking any such supplements.
7. Nausea
Many people feel nauseous or have breathing problems after taking weight gain supplements. The reason behind this is that these supplements are fully packed with proteins and carbohydrates. It is common to feel nauseated after taking a load of protein since our stomach is not used to absorbing that high amount of protein at once. It is best to get used to the taste of weight gainer supplement you are taking before using it regularly and drink it slowly taking a 20-to 30-min period.
Weight gain supplements take a little bit longer to digest than normal foods in the stomach. This hold-up could also be the reason behind the occurrence of this nauseous feeling. That is why you shouldn’t take weight gain supplements immediately after a tiring workout.
All kinds of supplements, especially weight gainer supplements should be taken after a full assessment to avail their benefits in a safe manner. There are no reasons to be scared of these weight gainer side effects if you take proper dosage in proper amounts.
