We're All Doomed!!

My essay is about an article titled "Why Are Protein Supplements Bad for Kids?" by Joseph Eitel (http://www.livestrong.com/article/504638-why-are-protein-supplements-bad-for-kids/). He argues that protein supplements are bad for society's youth. The thesis of this argument is that most of the Americans today, including kids are consuming more than the recommended amount of protein WITHOUT the use of any kind of supplement therefore making the protein intake excessive with any supplement use. Protein is unhealthy when it is overused, especially to people whose bodies are still developing and are more sensitive to illnesses.

      He argues that the CDC suggests much higher protein in your calorie intake, so taking additional protein may be harmful for a person. He has examples of how much a normal amount of protein is required and then compares it to how much the CDC recommends we take. Another example used is that kids who take excessive amounts of protein are more prone to weight gain, saying one gram of protein has four calories in it. A fact given by him was that protein supplements contain small, but potentially dangerous levels of metals and that kids are more sensitive to these metals than adults are so by taking supplements kids are increasing the chance of ingesting harmful amounts of  toxic metals. He goes further saying that even if the protein amount is monitored and kept at a safe level kids would still be missing out on other specific, important vitamins that children need for a healthy growth. Since those supplements are mostly protein it does not assist in giving kids the nutrients they need. 

      He included a 2010 study by Consumer Reports saying that out of fifteen supplements they tested three of them contained a higher than acceptable amount of toxic metals. I went to similar articles (http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=protein_supplements_shown_to_contain_toxic_heavy_metals), and they also had the same study by the same people. So i finally went to the Consumer Reports' website (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/july/food/protein-drinks/overview/index.htm) and found out that the study he gave me was correct and not altered in any way. He also gave some statistics of how much protein we are supposed to take and how much the CDC recommends we take. I went to the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/protein.html) and found the numbers of the stats. They were accurate to what he gave as well. I understand his point of view and why he would argue that. His argument was strong and had support. He gave out some good evidence to back up his reason for not wanting protein supplements handed out to our kids of today.