Creatine is an amino acid produced by your body and found in protein-rich foods such as meat and fish. Your muscles store it, then use it for energy, particularly during sprinting and weight lifting. Although body builders and athletes spend an estimated $14 million on creatine supplements annually, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the supplements have not been proven to effectively enhance athletic performance. In addition, creatine poses numerous potential side effects and risks.
Contamination
Dietary supplements, such as creatine, are considered food rather than medicine by the Food and Drug Administration. For this reason, they do not undergo rigorous tests for safety, effectiveness or supplement content. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, numerous instances of contaminated creatine supplements have been discovered. Although creatine supplements are legal in the United States, contaminated supplements may contain illegal drugs and lead to failed drug tests, penalties and legal repercussions. For example, an athlete taking contaminated creatine supplements may lose the right to participate in athletic events and could face substantial monetary fines.
Digestive Side Effects and Dehydration
Creatine supplements can cause digestive side effects that interfere with athletic performance. According to MayoClinic.com, potential side effects include abdominal cramps, muscle cramps, upset stomach, diarrhea and nausea. Severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances --- improper levels of bodily salts, such as potassium, that help regulate heartbeat, muscle contraction and cognitive abilities. Since creatine draws fluid from other parts of your body to insert into your muscles, long-term creatine use also might trigger dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include lethargy, physical weakness, dizziness, excessive thirst and/or hunger, and mood swings.
Liver, Kidney and Muscle Damage
The liver and kidneys play significant roles in your body's ability to expel waste. Long-term creatine use --- use that exceeds six months --- may damage the liver and kidneys and lead to increased risk for infections, hormone and enzyme imbalances, and the need for medical care or hospitalization. In one reported case, taking more than 10 g of creatine daily for six weeks was linked to rhabdomyolysis, a condition characterized by deteriorated skeletal muscle tissue, according to the UMMC.
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