Creatine is an amino acid that converts into phosphocreatine and is stored in the muscles to give you energy when you need it. Phosphocreatine is converted to ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, an energy source that's released when you undergo intense physical exertion. Creatine is found naturally in fish and meat and also is made by your body in the pancreas, liver and kidneys. Creatine supplements may help you increase athletic performance, but it is not without its hazards and side effects.
Interactions
You should always consult your doctor before taking a supplement such as creatine because of the possibility that it can interact with other treatments you may be undergoing or interfere with ongoing conditions you have. For example, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, creatine may increase the risk of damage from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. You're at risk of developing kidney disease or dehydration if you take creatine with diuretics. You put yourself at risk of a stroke if you take the supplement with caffeine and ephedra-like substances.
Side Effects
As with most supplements, creatine has side effects that may mitigate the benefits you expect to receive. Creatine supplements can raise your blood pressure and cause dizziness and diarrhea. Your muscles are at a higher risk of developing cramps, pulls and strains. Acute kidney failure and liver dysfunction have been reported after taking creatine supplements, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. While most side effects do not appear unless you take the supplements for more than six months, severe consequences have occurred in athletes taking creatine for as little as six weeks.
Natural Energy
Once your body becomes accustomed to relying on supplements for its creatine needs, it stops producing the amino acid naturally in your body to compensate for the uptick in creatine. Long-term use eventually can cause your body to stop making its own stores of creatine. Weight gain is another phenomenon that occurs from taking creatine supplements because of the extra water it draws into your muscles. Water is removed from other parts of your body and can lead to dehydration. Natural weight gain from building lean muscle mass is interrupted by the inflated water retention.
Risks
Creatine is a dietary supplement that is not regulated by a government agency. As such, the ingredients in various over-the-counter brands cannot always be verified. Additionally, according to the Mayo Clinic, the long-term effects of creatine use have not been explored, leaving many unanswered question about long-term hazards and ramifications. Additional risks associated with creatine use include gastrointestinal difficulties that lead to stomach cramps and nausea. Creatine may alter the properties of insulin and lead to blood sugar imbalances, making it unsafe if you are diabetic. Blood clots, nervousness, lower leg pain, depression and abnormal heart rhythms are other possible side effects of creatine supplementation.
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