Creatine phosphate, also known as phosphocreatine, is a specialized form of creatine stored in muscle cells to provide extra energy during moments of intense exercise or physical exertion. As your body engages in intense exercise, phosphocreatine is broken down and separated into phosphate and creatine. The energy released from this breakdown is used to by your body to increase adenosine triphosphate levels, which is your body's primary source of energy during intense physical activity. While creatine phosphate may help maintain peak performance for longer durations, supplementing with this compound may cause various side effects, which may be hazardous to your health.
Kidney Damage
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that while creatine phosphate may be safe in small doses, large doses may cause kidney damage, which may inhibit your body's ability to naturally create creatine. You can reduce the risk of kidney disease by consuming the recommended dosage of creatine phosphate, which is 2 to 5 g per day. A study found acute kidney failure in an athlete who consumed more than 10 g of creatine per day for six weeks. However, research has found that you may avoid serious side effects, such as kidney damage, if you take creatine phosphate for less than six months in smaller doses. Because of this, if you have kidney disease, you should not supplement with creatine phosphate.
Weight Gain
While significant hazards of supplementing with creatine phosphate for long periods of time are possible, the only primary hazard of short-term supplementation in proper dosage levels is weight gain. MedlinePlus states that weight gain is a common hazard of creatine supplementation, as this compound increases water retention within muscle fibers. While this may provide a look of increased muscle mass, there is no actual muscle development. The water retention may cause you to appear bloated and have increase in body mass, according to MayoClinic.com.
Ischemia
MayoClinic.com reports that creatine supplementation increases the risk of developing a lower leg syndrome that causes inflammation in this part of your body. Along with inflammation, ischemia, or lowered blood flow, may occur within the lower parts of the leg. While this is not common among most who supplement with creatine, this is a serious hazard that may require surgery to correct.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
As with many supplements, more common hazards of creatine phosphate are gastrointestinal side effects. Users may experience diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach and loss of appetite. These side effects may be lessened by consuming creatine with carbohydrates, as dietary carbs assist the body in absorbing creatine.
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