Everyone is looking for an edge, whether it is at work, school or in the weight room. Sometimes we need that little boost to get through hard times, and especially with all the baggage that accompanies academia, finding an edge for a workout is almost a necessity.

More often people are looking to fitness supplements and other artificial sources to give them the kick they think they need to make it through their exercise routines.

It's no wonder that General Nutrition Corporation, the world's largest specialty retailer of nutritional supplements, reported consolidated revenues of $382.8 million for the quarter ending June 30, 2006. This is a 14.8-percent increase over the same quarter in 2005.

But are nutritional supplements really the way to go?

Here's a rundown of three of the most popular supplements used for bulking up and staying fit and the dangers accompanying their use.

Protein

Added protein intake is arguably the most popular supplement used by avid weight lifters. The Web site GNC.com offers about 190 products containing some sort of protein. Many lifters take protein in the hopes of increasing muscle synthesis and fighting muscle weakness and fatigue.

The American Council on Exercise reports that the typical American diet provides considerably more protein than the relatively small amount needed for muscle development. The average adult requires only one gram of protein for every 2.2 pounds of body weight, and in general, athletes need only 1.2 to 1.8 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight. A well-balanced diet will accommodate these requirements, no matter what the energy needs of specific individuals are.

Diets containing excess protein can be harmful to the kidneys and can lead to unwanted weight gain if the excess calories are stored instead of metabolized. According to ACE, high-protein diets have the potential to cause calcium imbalances that can be adverse, especially for women.

Creatine

Creatine is another fitness supplement that is extremely popular. Products containing it litter the Best-Selling Sports Nutrition page on GNC.com.

Many weight lifters swear by the effectiveness of creatine, and ACE reports that several studies suggest that regular creatine use can improve muscular performance during activities of short duration and high-intensity power and strength, as in weight lifting and sprinting. This comes as no surprise since creatine is used in skeletal muscles to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body's energy source.

However, many concerns exist about the negative effects excess creatine consumption could have on the body, especially to the liver and kidneys. Creatine usage can also result in stomach cramping and diarrhea. ACE recommends people partaking in aerobic exercises, such as long-distance running, should abstain from using creatine since the increase in body mass could impair performance.

Diets rich in meats and fish can provide adequate amounts of creatine for your body.

Androstenedione (Andro)

Androstenedione is a male, sex hormone that the body converts to testosterone. It has been sold under a myriad of names, all containing the term "andro." Although it has been available for quite some time, androstenedione was made famous by Mark McGwire after he broke the single-season home run record in 1998.

Androstenedione has been touted by many for its reported ability to greatly increase testosterone concentrations in the blood. Andro has also been linked to increased muscle size, strength and energy. Many of its suggested benefits are comparable to those of anabolic steroids, but so are its potential consequences.

Like anabolic steroids, andro can lead to increased blood pressure, liver cancer, testicle and breast shrinkage, and uncontrolled mood swings from depression to aggression, according to ACE.

Trent Scott is a junior in nutrition and exercise science and American Council on Exercise certified personal trainer at Peters Recreation Complex. Please send comments to sports@spub.ksu.edu.