e affect on the kidneys of healthy people.

Medical Studies

For example, one study involved 98 college football players, split into four groups. One group took no creatine while the others used the supplement for 6 to 21 months. Those in the creatine groups were given 15.75g of creatine monohydrate per day for five days and an average of 5g per day after that. Urine and blood samples, taken throughout the study, were analyzed. The results, of course, showed no measurable differences in kidney function between

When three high school wrestlers died a few years ago, it was reported that, in addition to not eating for several days, they had been wearing rubber suits and riding a stationary bike in a sauna to lose weight. Surprisingly, the media linked their deaths to creatine, rather than dehydration. However, it was later revealed that two of the three wrestlers were not even taking creatine.

Creatine and the Media

While both the media and the conservative medical establishment have tried to portray creatine as an unhealthy, even dangerous, dietary supplement, the fact is creatine is one of the most extensively researched performance-enhancing supplements of all time. But despite this extensive research, and creatine's impressive safety record, the media and conservative medical establishment continue to ignore the extensive safety data on creatine, while fabricating safety concerns where none exist.

Muscle cramps, dehydration, increased athletic injuries and other ailments have been blamed on creatine supplements, though not a single study backs up these claims. In fact, research done on several groups taking creatine for various medical reasons hasn't uncovered a single adverse effect in the five years the groups have been taking the supplement.

Creatine and the Kidneys

In some, but not all, people creatine can raise a metabolic byproduct of creatine metabolism known as cretinine. Elevated creatinine is a fairly reliable indicator of kidney function. As the kidneys become impaired the creatinine level in the blood will rise. Some medical professionals have mistakenly stated that elevated levels of creatinine could damage the kidneys. However, unusually high levels of creatinine simply warn of possible kidney failure or malfunction. That's a very important distinction.

After more than 10 years of widespread creatine use and countless published studies, little or no evidence has been found to support the notion that the long-term use of creatine supplements poses a threat to the health of your kidneys. In fact, several studies have shown that creatine supplements have absolutely no adverse affect on the kidneys of healthy people.

Medical Studies

For example, one study involved 98 college football players, split into four groups. One group took no creatine while the others used the supplement for 6 to 21 months. Those in the creatine groups were given 15.75g of creatine monohydrate per day for five days and an average of 5g per day after that. Urine and blood samples, taken throughout the study, were analyzed. The results, of course, showed no measurable differences in kidney function between a

ealthy, even dangerous, dietary supplement, the fact is creatine is one of the most extensively researched performance-enhancing supplements of all time. But despite this extensive research, and creatine's impressive safety record, the media and conservative medical establishment continue to ignore the extensive safety data on creatine, while fabricating safety concerns where none exist.

Muscle cramps, dehydration, increased athletic injuries and other ailments have been blamed on creatine supplements, though not a single study backs up these claims. In fact, research done on several groups taking creatine for various medical reasons hasn't uncovered a single adverse effect in the five years the groups have been taking the supplement.

Creatine and the Kidneys

In some, but not all, people creatine can raise a metabolic byproduct of creatine metabolism known as cretinine. Elevated creatinine is a fairly reliable indicator of kidney function. As the kidneys become impaired the creatinine level in the blood will rise. Some medical professionals have mistakenly stated that elevated levels of creatinine could damage the kidneys. However, unusually high levels of creatinine simply warn of possible kidney failure or malfunction. That's a very important distinction.

After more than 10 years of widespread creatine use and countless published studies, little or no evidence has been found to support the notion that the long-term use of creatine supplements poses a threat to the health of your kidneys. In fact, several studies have shown that creatine supplements have absolutely no adverse affect on the kidneys of healthy people.

Medical Studies

For example, one study involved 98 college football players, split into four groups. One group took no creatine while the others used the supplement for 6 to 21 months. Those in the creatine groups were given 15.75g of creatine monohydrate per day for five days and an average of 5g per day after that. Urine and blood samples, taken throughout the study, were analyzed. The results, of course, showed no measurable differences in kidney function between

these claims. In fact, research done on several groups taking creatine for various medical reasons hasn't uncovered a single adverse effect in the five years the groups have been taking the supplement.

Creatine and the Kidneys

In some, but not all, people creatine can raise a metabolic byproduct of creatine metabolism known as cretinine. Elevated creatinine is a fairly reliable indicator of kidney function. As the kidneys become impaired the creatinine level in the blood will rise. Some medical professionals have mistakenly stated that elevated levels of creatinine could damage the kidneys. However, unusually high levels of creatinine simply warn of possible kidney failure or malfunction. That's a very important distinction.

After more than 10 years of widespread creatine use and countless published studies, little or no evidence has been found to support the notion that the long-term use of creatine supplements poses a threat to the health of your kidneys. In fact, several studies have shown that creatine supplements have absolutely no adverse affect on the kidneys of healthy people.

Medical Studies

For example, one study involved 98 college football players, split into four groups. One group took no creatine while the others used the supplement for 6 to 21 months. Those in the creatine groups were given 15.75g of creatine monohydrate per day for five days and an average of 5g per day after that. Urine and blood samples, taken throughout the study, were analyzed. The results, of course, showed no measurable differences in kidney function between

ve mistakenly stated that elevated levels of creatinine could damage the kidneys. However, unusually high levels of creatinine simply warn of possible kidney failure or malfunction. That's a very important distinction.

After more than 10 years of widespread creatine use and countless published studies, little or no evidence has been found to support the notion that the long-term use of creatine supplements poses a threat to the health of your kidneys. In fact, several studies have shown that creatine supplements have absolutely no adverse affect on the kidneys of healthy people.

Medical Studies

For example, one study involved 98 college football players, split into four groups. One group took no creatine while the others used the supplement for 6 to 21 months. Those in the creatine groups were given 15.75g of creatine monohydrate per day for five days and an average of 5g per day after that. Urine and blood samples, taken throughout the study, were analyzed. The results, of course, showed no measurable differences in kidney function between

e affect on the kidneys of healthy people.

Medical Studies

For example, one study involved 98 college football players, split into four groups. One group took no creatine while the others used the supplement for 6 to 21 months. Those in the creatine groups were given 15.75g of creatine monohydrate per day for five days and an average of 5g per day after that. Urine and blood samples, taken throughout the study, were analyzed. The results, of course, showed no measurable differences in kidney function between any of the groups.

Another study, this one involving 175 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, examined the effects of long-term high-dose creatine supplementation. The patients were randomly treated with either creatine monohydrate or a placebo for 310 days. The patients were carefully monitored for any signs of ill effects, particularly on kidney function, but no significant differences between the groups were found.

The Bottom Line

Although most researchers have continued to advise against long-term creatine use by people with a history of kidney problems, because of the theoretical risks, there is little evidence that creatine use poses a true risk. Even in studies using animals with pre-existing kidney failure, creatine supplements were found to have no adverse affect on kidney function, giving you an idea of just how non-toxic creatine appears to be for the kidneys.