Although creatine is well-known as a sports supplement, it has also shown promise in the treatment of certain chronic diseases. The appropriate dose depends upon why you're taking it, and it is important to discuss your intentions with your doctor beforehand. Creatine is thought to be safe, but taking too much can cause adverse effects. Creatine can cause dehydration, so drink at least 64 oz. of water per day and don't use it with caffeine or ephedra to avoid adverse effects and decreased benefit.
Sports Supplement
Creatine may increase lean muscle mass during repetitive anaerobic exercise, although the effect has not yet been absolutely proven. It seems to benefit younger people more than older people, and does not show benefit for endurance sports. For sports purposes, creatine requires a loading dose of 20 g per day for the first five days to allow your body's creatine levels to rise, then a maintenance dose of 2 to 5 g per day. An alternative method is to simply take a steady dose of 3 g per day, but levels will not be optimized for 28 days.
Heart Disease
Creatine may help lower cholesterol in people at risk for heart disease, and may help people with heart failure avoid fatigue. Consult your doctor before attempting to self-treat, but the typical dose for heart failure is 20 g per day for a week to 10 days. As a cholesterol-reducing supplement, the typical loading dose is 20 to 25 g per day for five days, then 5 to 10 g per day thereafter.
Muscular Disorders
Creatine shows promise in the treatment of muscular disorders like muscular dystrophy and McArdle's disease. It's the increase in lean muscle mass that helps in both cases, making MD patients stronger and helping to reduce post-workout pain in McArdle's patients. A steady dose of 10 g per day has been used to treat adults with MD, but McArdle's patients must take a loading dose of 150 mg/kg of bodyweight for 10 days, then maintain at 60 mg/kg. Consult your doctor before use.
Other Disorders
Parkinson's patients may benefit from creatine when the disease is in the early stages. To slow the progression of symptoms, patients can take a steady dose of 10 g per day or a step-down approach that includes 20 g per day for 6 days, 2 g per day for 6 months, then 4 g per day for 18 months. It may also help improve muscular strength in Parkinson's patients with a loading dose of 20 g per day for five days, then 5 g per day. A steady dose of 1.5 g per day may help patients with gyrate atrophy keep their sight longer.
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