Should you be concerned?
The information provided regarding the potential side effects of has been gleaned and re-worded from the University of Maryland Medical Center. First, and this should go without saying, before taking any supplements or starting an exercise program cold turkey, you should consult a doctor.
As with almost everything that has ever been produced by nature or man, there is the potential to experience side effects from ingestion. If you do, or suspect you might, suffer from high blood pressure, or kidney or liver disease, definitely do not simply start taking creatine without consent from a medical professional. Here is a list of side effects that some people have reported to experience while taking it:
- upset stomach
- muscle cramps, strains, and pulls
- high blood pressure
- weight gain
- dizziness
- liver dysfunction
- kidney damage
Most studies have found no significant side effects after six months of use.
To mention a couple of the side effects briefly, the weight gain you might, and should, experience is partially due to the increased water consumption, creatine loves hydrated cells, and the increased muscle mass you should be packing on. After all, muscle is a lot heavier and more dense than fat. Usually the upset stomach can be attributed to the loading phase or ingesting it on a totally barren stomach. Eat a banana with it!
Lastly, here is a small list of possible interactions between creatine and different drugs. So if you are taking these other medicines, do not take this supplement without verification from your doctor. Diuretics, probenicid, cimetidine, NSAIDs, and drugs that impact your kidneys should all be nixed from being mixed in your home. With creatine that is.
Unsure if you should take my word for it? Here are two links to authoritative sites:
Creatine Results Proven Results Why does this supplement routinely get chosen as one of the best performing supplements Named at the top of a sports supplement list for what works for gaining strength and muscle mass the effects of supplementing with creatine have been studied and are well documented These studies prove...