Bursitis can prevent you from participating in your favorite sports or other workouts, and it can interfere with daily activities. Creatine is a popular dietary supplement for athletic performance and a variety of health conditions, but it is not likely to cure your bursitis. The safest approach for treating bursitis and staying healthy is to consult your doctor or health care professional.
Bursitis Information
Bursitis is the inflammation of bursae, the fluid-filled, cushioned sacs in your joints. It can result from repetitive activities, such as throwing a ball, sitting or kneeling for a long time or lifting weights, according to MayoClinic.com. Symptoms of bursitis include stiffness, swelling and an increased level of pain when you use the joint. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and breaking up monotonous physical tasks can reduce your risk for bursitis. Creatine in your body may promote muscle health, but it does not affect your bursae.
Background on Creatine
Your muscles store nearly all of the creatine in your body and eventually convert it to creatinine. Your liver and kidney can synthesize creatine. You can also get it from high-protein foods, such as meat and fish, and from dietary supplements, according to MedlinePlus. Creatine is a common dietary supplement to increase muscle mass. It may improve athletic performance of healthy young adults in high-intensity events, but not in older adults. Reduced range of motion is a common symptom of bursitis, and creatine does not appear to affect range of motion.
Creatine and Inflammation
Treatments to reduce inflammation, such as ice and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help relieve bursitis, according to MayoClinic.com. Some individuals take creatine to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Symptoms of these two conditions include joint pain and inflammation. Despite the popularity of creatine, evidence does not yet demonstrate its effectiveness in treating arthritis or reducing inflammation. Furthermore, conclusive scientific evidence does not yet show a role in prevention inflammation that causes bursitis.
Considerations
Although it may not help your bursitis, creatine is likely safe for most healthy adults, according to MedlinePlus. Dietary creatine supplements are legal for athletes competing in some professional sports, the NCAA and the Olympics. Renal patients should avoid creatine because it may exacerbate kidney disease.
