Creatine is a natural chemical produced in the body by amino acids and stored mainly in the skeletal muscles with small amounts found in the brain and heart. Creatine is also found in proteins such as red meats and fish, but is also becoming popular by athletes and bodybuilders by taking creatine supplements in either capsule or powder form.

Many athletes and bodybuilders compare the chemical to anabolic steroids because of its ability to build muscle mass and enhance performance during intense, brief sports activities and workouts such as sprints and weightlifting. Studies are also showing that athletes performing endurance activities such as running and aerobics may benefit from creatine as well although these studies are yet to be conclusive. Athletes taking creatine supplementation is a controversial topic even though it doesn’t seem to have the same side effects of illegal performance enhancing drugs, it still is known as a performance enhancer and many feel it should be banned.

Creatine has been noted to decrease muscle fatigue, and has also been noted to strengthen the muscles and is used by some patients who have experienced muscle weakness due to injury, surgery, or certain conditions such as Parkinson’s, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, Huntington’s disease, congestive heart failure, myasthenia gravis, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), and McArdle’s disease. Please note that a physician consult must be done before consuming any new supplementation, medication, exercise, or change of diet.

Studies reporting side effects and reactions to prolonged use of the supplement is limited although there have been reports of muscle cramps, nausea, diarrhea, weight gain, stomach cramps, dehydration, loss of appetite, and when ingested in high doses may also cause liver, kidney, and heart damage. Asthma related symptoms such as coughing and wheezing has also been associated with the use of creatine supplements. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid the use of the supplement. People who are also taking the herb ephedra should also avoid taking creatine supplements because of the increased risk of side effects when taking the two together.

So little is known about the benefits and dangers of creatine supplementation, and even the proper dosage of the supplement is yet to be substantiated. Many are concerned that athletes of all ages, especially minors, will ignore the possible dangers and take without supervision or even take far more than the recommended dosage and cause irreversible damage to their bodies or death.

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