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Is Creatine safe?Creatine is nitrogenous organic acid occurring naturally in all vertebrates. Creatine helps to supply energy to muscle and nerve cells. Since creatine occurs naturally in humans, sellers claim that users of creatine are free from any side effects. But is creatine really safe? Studies on various groups of people old different age groups, and different genders, have the following results to declare. Creatine use in Children and Adolescents: More and more research reports suggest that acute Creatine use actually benefits children. However little is known about effects of chronic creatine use in this age group. Physicians and health experts still continue to advise against the introduction diet supplementation in the diet of children. They claim that children, just by participating in daily physical activities, contribute to their bodily performances. It is advised that one should focus on supplement intake when one becomes mature or when such physical activities reach a plateau. Creatine use in the Elderly: Muscular Protein retention begins to decrease in human life after one reaches the age of fifty. This leads to a gradual loss of strength and increasing fatigue. Creatine users among the elderly report a reduction in loss of strength and increased functional capabilities. Users also do not seem to gain weight as younger Creatine users do, and this is attributed to a decrease in Creatine levels in the human body with age, and decrease of Type II muscle fibers in the body. However, there is a need for more research in this field and particularly, in this age segment. Creatine use in Women: There has been an increased trend among women world over, to attain a good physique and improve body fitness. Thus more and more women are resorting to health supplements to complete dietary deficiencies. It has been proved that women naturally have a higher resting level of Creatine than men, in their body. This has been found to be the reason why creatine shows time to show visible effects in women. A delayed effect sometimes results in more creatine intake by women. Unconfirmed reports state that excessive creatine intake causes bloating of the skin, and other gastrointestinal disorders. Pregnant or nursing mothers are recommended against the intake of creatine, since conclusive studies haven’t been completed on the effect of creatine on mother and child. Creatine use in Men: Among men, reports of users suffering from increased aggressiveness, anxiety, acne, male breast formation (Gynecomastia), a reduction in penis size and hair loss. Of these, increased aggressiveness, acne and hair loss are the most frequently reported. Gastrointestinal complications have also been commonly reported among users of Creatine supplements. Moreover, scientific studies have proved that increase in body mass from creatine use can be attributed to water retention by muscle Though Creatine has been blamed for short term discomfort among users, like stomach and muscle cramps, diarrhea and vomiting as well as long term illnesses like Gastro Intestinal diseases and Kidney failure, Creatine still remains a popular diet supplement among athletes, body builders and as well as the general population.
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