Creatine-Is it safe?

by Michael Walters, a project created Jul 23 2009 - 8:53pm, updated Jul 27 2009 - 12:05am

I have recently become interested in the use of creatine supplements in athletes. I have a son who plays high school football in a very competitive program. (state champs in 2008) Our state organization (IHSA) has decided to not outlaw creatine for youth athletes, although they do explicitly reccommend it either. My son, under the advice of his coach, has begun creatine supplentation during summer camps. He is a 16 yr old junior.

I have found an abundance of research reporting the effectivness of creatine for sports involving short bursts of energy and increased strength, such as football. However, I have had a very difficult time finding reports on the safety of creatine. Most reports indicate that more research is needed, or findings are limited. The one consistent recommendation is against use by minors, as the long term effects are not yet known.

I have included a link here for one article that seems to have a little more in depth information. The link is to the asbstract, the full length article is not available on the site. I have ordered it from ILL and await its arrival.

In the meantime, I know several of you are coaches currently, and I am curious what your position with your athletes is.

I would really appretiate your insights as I prepare to discuss this issue with my son.

http://0-search.ebscohost.com.eos.eou.edu:80/...

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Comments

I'll also be interested in
Fri, 07/24/2009 - 2:38am — Brian Sather

I'll also be interested in hearing comments. I believe NFHS has a direct statement on creatine. Can anyone recall the statement from the online tutorial you went through for the certification?

I know a little about
Fri, 07/24/2009 - 3:28pm — Grace Freiheit

I know a little about creatine, I used to work with supplements a little bit. I personally have seen research pro and against creatine, and I know lots of people who have used it, and I think the use of creatine is safe. If used properly... I believe they recommend taking it in teh morning and at night, keeping it very consistant, and as far as you son goes, creatine will dehydrate him, so you will want to make sure he knows that and drinks more water than he would normally.

HFHS Position on Creatine
Sat, 07/25/2009 - 4:39am — DJ Marrs Smith

Hi Michael,

I do recall seeing warning info. on Creatine in our NFHS Coach's Cert. Coach, as Dr. Sather just mentioned. I just looked it up online to obtain the exact wording which may be found at:
www.nfhs.org/web/200/01/sports_medicine_nfhs_....

The NFHS position is "All student-athletes and their parents/guardians should consult with their physicians before taking any supplement product. In addition, coaches and school staff should not recommend or supply any supplement product to student-athletes."

DJ Marrs Smith

Thanks
Sun, 07/26/2009 - 9:03pm — Michael Walters

I am going to check out the website later when I have more time. I really appretiate all oyur input. My wife if making an appointment with our Dr. for tomorrow to get his input.

If anyone else has some input I'd really like to her it.

Thanks, Mike

ACSM Statement on Creatine Use
Mon, 07/27/2009 - 12:04am — Brian Sather

I just remembered Creatine is addressed by the American College of Sports Medicine in their recent statement on nutrition. This source is probably the best professional "opinion" you can get. It is published at http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/20...

Here is the section on Creatine:

Creatine is currently the most widely used ergogenic aid among athletes wanting to build muscle and enhance recovery (118,123-125). Creatine has been shown to be effective in repeated short bursts of high-intensity activity in sports that derive energy primarily from the ATP-CP energy system such as sprinting and weight lifting but not for endurance sports such as distance running (32,117,126-128). Most of the researches on creatine have been conducted in a laboratory setting with male athletes.

The most common adverse effects of creatine supplementation are weight (fluid) gain, cramping, nausea, and diarrhea (32,117,129). Although widely debated, creatine is generally considered safe for healthy adults, despite anecdotal reports of dehydration, muscle strains/tears, and kidney damage (130-132). Although the effects of long-term use of creatine remain unknown, studies to date do not show any adverse effects in healthy adults from creatine supplementation (133). Nevertheless, health care professionals should carefully screen athletes using creatine for any risk of liver or kidney dysfunction or, in rare instances, anterior compartment syndrome.

One of the key points here is that there is very little known about the long-term effects. This the case with all new suppliments. Back when anabolic steroids were first being used, there wasn't much known either. Same with smoking. Get the point?

Point Taken
Mon, 07/27/2009 - 11:40am — Michael Walters

Thank you Dr Sather

I appretiate your input here. The above captioned article is a good summation of everything I have been able to find. Lots of great hype on the effectivness, but not much more than general caution on the risk side. Your last point on steroids and smoking and initial long term concerns is well taken.

I am very concerned about my son (step-son actually) taking this supplement and the possible long term effects. I did find another quick blurb in my Biology textbook (Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, by Tortora and Derrickson) On page 318-319 there is an informational box regarding creatine suplementation. It suggests that some studies have shown that supplementation can actually reduce the body's own ability to produce creatine naturally, but it is not yet known if production recovers after use is stopped. It also mentions dehydration and kidney failure as possible side effects, much as the above article did.

As I previously stated, our intentions are to meet with our family physician and then evaluate all the information available before making a final decision on this. I have also asked my son to defend his position. If he intends to take the supplement, he needs to find research of his own that defends the safety of the product. I think this is a good learning experience for him as he moves into higher levels of competition.

Once again, thank you to all of you who contributed to this discussion. I am grateful for all your insights.

MJW