A
summary of creatine side effects
If you are considering taking creatine
bodybuilding supplements, you are right to be
concerned about
creatine side effects. As with any
supplement you take into your body, you should
educate yourself about what it is and where it comes
from. Based on research to date, creatine if taken
in the recommended doses from a reputable
manufacturer of bodybuilding supplements, causes no
harmful creatine side effects.
Creatine occurs naturally in meat and fish and is
used in your muscles to generate energy for 1 to 10
seconds of intense exercise. By boosting your creatine
levels with creatine powder or pills (available in
many bodybuilding supplements), you can work out
longer and more intensely.
For healthy adults (over 18), creatine side effects
include:
- Short term weight gain due to water retention
- Long term muscle mass gain
- Reduced muscle "burn" when working out (less
lactic acid buildup—a major cause of fatigue)
- Reduced muscle soreness due to intense training
Unresearched reports of creatine side effects
include:
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Frequent injuries
These reports of undesirable creatine side effects
are unproven by the current research. However, since
creatine is still relatively new bodybuilding
supplements, future research may shed more light on
creatine usage.
Remember that creatine bodybuilding supplements are
not a shortcut way to improved athletic performance.
In fact, not everyone responds to creatine
supplementation. The bottom line is that creatine can
help you train more intensely, but you still have to
train! |
