Creatine X4 is a creatine dietary supplement that is marketed by Ultimate Sports Nutrition, a company that is based in the United Kingdom. The formula includes creatine ethyl ester, or CEE, which is thought to absorb better in muscles and may not require a traditional "loading" phase in which you supersaturate your muscles with creatine to high peak levels more quickly. Some research, such a 2009 study published in the "Journal of the International Society of Sports Medicine," reports that CEE does not work as well as the original creatine monohydrate form. Creatine is generally considered safe, but can have some side effect that you should know about.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a potential side effect of taking Creatine X4. MedlinePlus reports that creatine causes your muscles to draw water from the rest of your body. You must drink more water to compensate. Dehydation is especially of concern for athletes who play or practice in hot weather or athletes who need lose water weight to meet a certain poundage. Vanderbilt University reports that wrestlers trying to cut water weight while taking creatine are at serious risk for dehydration, muscle cramping, muscle strains and diarrhea. Heat intolerance can cause electrolyte imbalances which can lead to seizures as can the use of diuretics or high doses of caffeine while using Creatine X4 or other creatine products. Attempting to lose body fat, lose water weight and participate in strenuous physical activity can be deadly.
Acute Kidney Failure
Acute kidney failure is a rare but potential dangerous side effect of taking Creatine X4. The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that kidney failure is likely only a potential problem if you take creatine at high doses for long periods of time; no significant side effects should occur if creatine is used for less than six months. Do not use Creatine x4 and other creatine products if you have kidney disease, liver disease or high blood pressure.
Impurities
Since sports supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there is a risk that your creatine product may be impure. Rice University reports that although creatine is considered to be safe, impurities are not. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that have been reports of contaminated creatine supplements. Contaminents in an L-tryptophan dietary supplement caused an outbreaks of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome cases which caused more than 30 deaths. It is uncertain what the short-term or long-term side effects of creatine impurities may be. Consult a doctor before taking any creatine supplement.
References
- MedlinePlus: Creatine
- MayoClinic.com: Creatine: Safety
- Vanderbilt University: Wrestling Practices and Creatine Monohydrate
- University of Maryland Medical: Creatine
- Rice University: Creatine Supplementation in Athletes
- PubMed: "Journal of the International Society of Sports Medicine": The Effects of Creatine Ethyl Ester Supplementation
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