ask your pharmacist

Are there any over-the-counter products to help me gain weight?

Also, there are many high-protein powdered or liquid dietary supplements on the market that are claimed to increase muscle mass. They include Weider Muscle Builder, Naturade, and Champion Nutrition Pro-Score 100. These supplements contain large amounts of protein, but are generally low in calories. Many also contain vitamins and herbs. Studies haven't proven that protein drinks help increase body weight or muscle mass in most people. There's no medical research showing that any specific protein product is best for weight gain. Nor is there much information available about the effectiveness or safety of the vitamins and herbal ingredients in these products.

Here are a few basic tips to keep in mind if you need to increase your body weight. Eat a healthy, balanced diet while increasing the number of calories you consume. To gain one pound, you need to eat an additional 3,500 calories over what your body normally needs. Adding high-calorie foods such as nuts, honey, and ice cream to your diet is an easy way to boost your calories. Calories from carbohydrates, protein, and fat all work equally well in the body for weight gain. Exercise can also help because exercise tends to build heavier muscle mass.

Talk with your doctor for help designing a healthy weight-gain plan. Also talk with your doctor before trying any weight-gain products.

Sources:
Handbook of Non-Prescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. William Morrow & Co., 1996.
Clarkson P. ‘Nutritional supplements to increase muscle mass”, Critical Reviews of Food and Science Nutrition 39 (1999).

This answer prepared 6/2/00.