Creatine may cause adverse reactions when taken as a dietary supplement and may trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid in the body that helps increase muscle mass. The substance is commonly sold as a dietary supplement, and used by weightlifters attempting to build body mass. Before using this supplement, talk with your doctor about the potential risks and benefits.
Creatine Background
The University of Maryland Medical Center states that Americans spend around 14 million dollars annually on creatine supplements. The supplement is popular because it may increase lean muscle and enhance athletic performance. People who participate in weightlifting, jumping and sprinting may benefit the most from the use of this supplement. These health claims have not been verified in human studies. Not everyone's body reacts the same way, which causes various outcomes in different people.
Allergic Reaction
Although creatine is a naturally occurring substance in the human body, most creatine supplements are either made from animal by-products or are synthetic. Your immune system may not recognize the substance after you ingest it and may respond to it as if it was going to harm the body, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. The immune system creates antibodies that alert other cells in the body of an invader. White blood cells respond by creating histamine, which protects the body from infections. Histamine causes increased blood flow, swelling, lung constriction and inflammation throughout the body.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of an allergic reaction to creatine, according to Drugs.com, include shortness of breath, swelling of the throat, face, lips or tongue and hives. Other symptoms associated with an allergic reaction include a stuffy nose, runny nose, skin irritation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, cramping, lightheadedness, dizziness, chest tightness, rapid heart rate, pale skin, a drop in blood pressure and wheezing. If you develop one or more of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Considerations
Not all adverse reactions that develop from taking creatine are the result of an allergic reaction. Common side effects include stomach upset, dizziness, high blood pressure, diarrhea, muscle cramps and liver dysfunction. The University of Maryland states that some creatine supplements have been reported as contaminated, which could lead to food poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, body chills and dehydration.
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