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What are three side effects of creatine?

Side effects of creatine include: Weight gain. Muscle cramps. Muscle strains and pulls. Stomach upset. Diarrhea. Dizziness. High blood pressure. Liver dysfunction. More items...

mountsinai.org - Creatine Information | Mount Sinai - New York

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Athletic performance

Most human studies have taken place in laboratories, not in people actually playing sports. Preliminary studies show that creatine supplements improve strength and lean muscle mass during high-intensity, short-duration exercises, such as weight lifting. In these studies, the positive results were seen mainly in young people, around 20 years old. Researchers aren't clear on how creatine supplementation improves performance. But it may allow the body to use fuel more efficiently during exercise and increase muscle production. More research is needed. Creatine does not seem to improve performance in exercises that requires endurance, like running, or in exercise that isn't repeated, although study results are mixed. Creatine is not banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or the International Olympic Committee, but using it for athletic performance is controversial. The NCAA prohibits its member schools from giving creatine and other muscle-building supplements to athletes, although it doesn't ban athletes from using it. Creatine appears to be generally safe, although when it is taken at high doses there is the potential for serious side effects, such as kidney damage. High doses may also stop the body from making its own creatine. Some creatine supplements may be marketed directly to teens, claiming to help them change their bodies without exercising. However, one survey conducted with college students found that teen athletes frequently exceed the recommended loading and maintenance doses of creatine. Creatine has not been tested to determine whether it is safe or effective in people under 19.

Heart disease

Preliminary studies suggest that creatine supplements may help lower levels of triglycerides (fats in the blood) in men and women with high concentrations of triglycerides. In a few studies of people with heart failure, those who took creatine in addition to receiving standard medical care, increased the amount of exercise they could do before becoming fatigued, compared to those who took placebo. Getting tired easily is one of the major symptoms of heart failure. One study of 20 people with heart failure found that short-term creatine supplementation in addition to standard medication helped to increase body weight and improved muscle strength. Other studies, however, showed no improvement. Creatine has also been reported to help lower levels of homocysteine. Homocysteine is associated with heart disease, including heart attack and stroke.

Cancer

Preliminary studies suggest that creatine may have anticancer properties.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

One study found that people with COPD who took creatine increased muscle mass, muscle strength and endurance, and improved their health status compared with those who took placebo. They did not increase their exercise capacity. More research is needed.

Muscular dystrophy

People who have muscular dystrophy may have less creatine in their muscle cells, which may contribute to muscle weakness. One study found that taking creatine led to a small improvement in muscle strength. However, other studies found no effect.

Parkinson disease

People with Parkinson disease (PD) have decreased muscular fitness, including decreased muscle mass, muscle strength, and increased fatigue. One study found that giving creatine to people with PD improved their exercise ability and endurance. In another study, creatine supplements boosted participants' moods and reduced their need for medication compared to those who didn't take creatine. However, other studies suggest combining creatine and caffeine (i.e. taking / ingesting both) could make PD worse. More research is needed.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease)

Creatine appears to slow the progression of ALS and improves patients' quality of life. More research is needed.

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podcasts.apple.com - Becoming an MFCEO: The Skillset to Build a $200+ Million Brand | Andy ...

Andy Frisella is CEO of one of the world’s leading nutritional supplement companies, 1st Phorm International, he founded and runs five other businesses that collectively generate 200M+ in annual revenue: Supplement Superstores, Alpine Sports Products, Carbon Fire Nutrition, Paradise Distribution, and 44Seven Media. He's also the host of a business/success oriented podcast, The MFCEO Project, which is a top 50 podcast (in the world...not just business) that gets millions of listeners every month. He was identified as Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016 and has been featured in Forbes, INC, and Entrepreneur Magazine as well as many other honorable publications.

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