Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Side Effects

Whether you are an athlete or an average person trying get healthy and fit, the process of gaining weight can feel daunting and overwhelming. There are a number of products and supplements out there that can aide in your quest for weight and muscle gain. One of these supplements is Serious Mass by Optimum Nutrition. In the right dosage range, there are few serious side effects. But if this product is abused, there can be ramifications.

Background

• Serious Mass is a nutritional supplement used to assist those who want to gain weight and/or muscle. It primarily consists of complex carbohydrates, protein from whey, casein, and eggs, and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. It also contains creatine monohydrate, glutamine, and choline, which may help in the process of building muscle for those who strength train. It comes in the form of a powder and can be mixed with water or blended with other ingredients of your choice.

Recommendations

• Optimum Nutrition recommends that you take three servings of its product daily. Each serving size of Serious Mass (two heaping scoops) contains 1,250 calories, including 4.5g from fat, 252g of carbohydrate, and 50g of protein. This recommendation is based on the fact that you must consume 3,500 calories above and beyond your normal daily requirement to gain one pound. Based on these numbers, you should be gaining roughly one pound per day if taken properly.

Side Effects

• The ingredients in Serious Mass can cause some adverse reactions. According to Supplement News, some of the side effects associated with creatine monohydrate include diarrhea, stomach upset, muscle cramping, dehydration, and bloating. Glutamine supplementation yields few side effects but can cause weakness, nausea, and diarrhea when taken in large doses over an extended period of time. In addition, choline may also cause nausea, abdominal discomfort, or diarrhea. For those who do not get proper exercise while using this product, there is the increased chance of gaining weight primarily from fat as opposed to muscle.

Considerations

• Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass or any dietary supplement is not a substitute for whole foods. Natural foods contain many nutrients your body needs that cannot be replicated in supplement form. While Serious Mass does contain many of the nutrients and caloric values you need to gain muscle weight effectively, you should still have a healthy well-balanced diet that contains whole grains, fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy, lean meats, and healthy nuts and oils.

Warning

• Those who are allergic to dairy should avoid taking this supplement. Whey protein is manufactured from dairy and could cause an allergic reaction. If you have pre-existing medical conditions or take medications, you should consult with you physician before taking this supplement. The vitamins and minerals contained in this product may interact with medications you are taking. Also, if you are pregnant or lactating, check with your physician before using this product.