Creatine monohydrate is an important substance in your muscle tissues that's produced in your kidneys, liver and pancreas. If you have muscle aches or impaired muscle function, you might have below-normal levels of creatine in your muscles. Consult your doctor before taking creatine supplements to discuss the potential dangers and correct dosage.
Function
Creatine plays a crucial role in creating adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, the major energy source in your body. ATP supports muscle contractions and energy metabolism, according to the University of Michigan Health System. You can get creatine from eating protein-rich foods like red meats and fish, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your body can also make creatine from the amino acids L-methionine, L-arginine and glycine. Your body converts creatine into a substance called phosphocreatine, which is stored in your muscles and used as energy for on-demand muscle contractions, explains the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Effects
Creatine supplementation could help reduce your muscle aches and weakness due to Parkinson's disease or muscular dystrophy, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. People with these types of medical conditions tend to have below-normal creatine levels in their muscle cells. Also, if you have muscle aches or muscle atrophy due to an injury or surgery, supplementing with creatine could help, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Creatine may also improve muscle mass and reduce muscle aches due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. No conclusive medical research supports the use of creatine supplements for any of these purposes, however.
Uses
The most common uses for creatine supplements is to improve athletic performance and help treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Although creatine is most often used to improve athletic performance in short-duration, high-intensity sports or exercise, it's also sometimes used for endurance sports. Creatine may improve strength and increase your muscle mass, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although creatine doesn't appear to improve exercise capacity for people with COPD, it may help increase endurance and muscle tone.
Potential
Creatine supplementation could potentially help treat congestive heart failure, as well as lower high triglycerides and high cholesterol levels, says the University of Michigan Health System. Due to these effects, coupled with creatine's purported ability to reduce homocysteine levels, the supplement is sometimes recommended to help prevent or treat heart disease, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other potential uses for creatine supplements include treating dermatomyositis, impaired mental function due to sleep deprivation, myotonic dystrophy, schizophrenia, polymyositis, McArdle's disease, Huntington's disease and mitochondrial disorders, as well as supporting cancer treatments and weight loss, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Don't take creatine for any medical purpose without first talking with your doctor.
Warning
Creatine supplements could potentially cause kidney damage in people who take excessive amounts or who have kidney problems, warns the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Creatine supplements could also cause heart arrhythmias in some people. In some cases, individuals have experienced muscle cramps after taking creatine supplements, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Diarrhea, stomach upset, liver problems and elevated blood pressure have also occurred due to creatine in some cases, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Creatine supplements can also cause negative interactions with certain medications, such as diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: NSAIDs, probenecid and Tagamet.
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