Is Creatine Safe?

Creatine has received a lot of press in the last few years as an effective bodybuilding supplement. But is Creatine safe?

The short answer: Maybe.

The reason this question has no easy answer is that everyone's physiology is different and people react differently to supplments. Even though Creatine is naturally occuring in the human body, the effects of supplementation can be varied.

Creatine has seen regular use by thousands of athletes and normal people. The results have generally shown Creatine to be safe for long-term use.

However, some people may have suffered adverse side-effects to Creatine supplementation. As of this writing, the FDA has received a handful of complaints regarding Creatine: that it can cause seizures or irregular heartbeat, perhaps even death. These cases have not been linked conclusively to Creatine use alone, but caution is still advised.

Regular users have occasionally reported stomach cramps, diarrhea, and digestive pain when taking heavy doses. While not cause for major alarm, it is recommended that users discontinue Creatine if these sorts of things happen.

Dehydration or kidney damage is also theoretically possible (it's unproven), due to effects of Creatine on the water in the body. For this reason, people with kidney problems (or diabetics) should NOT take Creatine.

NOTE: If you are already taking Creatine, or planning to use Creatine to supplement your workouts, I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing Creatine: A Practical Guide. This is simply the best book out there on the subject.

Otherwise, keep reading if you want to know whether Creatine is right for you.

It depends on your level of fitness and how hard/often you're working out. If you're a beginner to weight-training or any other sport, Creatine is probably not right for you.

Also, more is NOT better. This is as true for Creatine as it is for anything related to health. Make sure to stick to the proper dosing guidelines. Again, I'd recommend you pick up a copy of Creatine: A Practical Guide, as it covers this subject in-depth.

I'd also strongly recommend that if you're just starting out, you MUST buy a copy of The Truth About Muscle Gain by Sean Nalewanyj. I've read about 20 different bodybuilding books/programs, and Sean's is the best hands-down. He covers everything from supplements to best exercises to how often to work out (THE most important thing. Remember, more isn't always better.).

If you're in doubt, go ahead to his page and sign up for the FREE Minicourse. Just by itself it's invaluable to your training efforts.

And remember, people who should NOT take Creatine include:

-People with diabetes or kidney problems.

-People under 18: the effects of Creatine on developing bodies has not been researched nearly enough.

-People who suffer any adverse reaction to Creatine (if this happens, stop taking it right away).

And remember, anyone starting a new fitness or supplement program should talk to their doctor first. It's always better to be safe when it comes to your health.