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Help building muscle - Crohn's teen

Wed, November 11, 2009 1:00 AM

I am looking for a safe and effective product to help my 15 yr old son (dx: Crohns) build muscle/body mass. Currently 96 lbs and 5'5". (He hopes to get to 6', like his brothers and needs calories to grow.) He wants to try GNC's Mass XXX ? Local GNC store sells it for $50 for 16 servings.

Has anyone tried it?

Has anyone found a plan that works to add muscle/weight?

What ingredients should we stay away from?

fushiastarz
Joined Sep 5, 2008

Sat, November 21, 2009 1:00 AM

Reply posted for fushiastarz.

Thanks for your replies. It gives me a lot to think about. I'll talk to his doctor. My son is currently not in remission so we'll have to consider his absorption. Also his ability to weight train.

I appreciate your insights.

fushiastarz
Joined Sep 5, 2008

Sat, November 14, 2009 12:12 PM

Reply posted for fushiastarz.

Lizzies mom is right on the mark. You really have to be careful with supplements. Although your son may need more protein some of the supplements have too much or poor quality proteins etc and can result in kidney or liver damage. Medications, may already tax these organs a bit so you don't want to make things more complicated.

With small bowel involvement or involvement near the IC valve some nutrients may not be absorbed well, especially the B vitamins. When in remission kids can make up a lot of weight and muscle. Growth of course depends heavily on good nutrition of course, but heredity too may play tricks, with most family members tall and one short.

The heavy workouts are best done in remission, although exercise to tolerance has been the name of the game for me. I would be really really careful about non medically recommended supplements from health food stores, those people often will say they know all about a condition or disease and the truth is they don't have a clue. Some "complete proteins" (contain all proteins in one food) are egg whites, milk , meat and I believe fish. You son may or may not digest some of these well.

If one eats a lot of "incomplete" proteins they you have to combine foods to get all of the proteins and their components in one meal, such as rice and beans eaten together.

Anyway, a food diary helps to see not only what agrees with your son but also give a registered dietitian an idea if he's getting all his nutrition.

titan1
Joined Sep 1, 2008

Sat, November 14, 2009 10:54 AM

Reply posted for fushiastarz.

My daughter has been a Crohns patient for years. Though she is younger than your son, she has some set of "guns". How did she get them???? Gymnastics. Her doc. recently put her on "Boost Plus" to give her more calories and hopefully put a little meat on her bones. Talk with your son's doctor and / or nutritionist to see what muscle building supplement would be safe. I can tell you this, the guys in GNC / Vit Shop, etc. are there to sell, sell, sell. Our kids are "special" and their bodies have different needs, depending on disease status, current meds., size, weight, etc.

Good luck

Lizzies Mom

lizzies mom
Joined Sep 9, 2009

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