Creatine supplementation improves performance, but is it safe? Double-blind placebo-controlled study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the safety and health effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on resistance training practitioners by assessing blood and urine health indicators.
Results Summary
Creatine monohydrate supplementation increased performance and body weight without adverse effects or changes in blood/urine markers, hepatic/renal function, or other physiological systems. The study concluded that creatine supplementation is safe for health in this context.
Population
18 males performing resistance training three times per week.
Effective Dosage
0.3 g/kg per day creatine monohydrate.
Duration
7 days of supplementation, with follow-up at 30 days post-supplementation.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
creatine monohydrate supplementation | no change | adverse events | resistance training practitioners | null | did not cause adverse events | #1 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation | increase | performance | resistance training practitioners | null | promoted an increase | #2 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation | increase | body weight | resistance training practitioners | null | promoted an increase | #3 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation | no change | red blood cells parameters | resistance training practitioners | null | No modification | #4 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation | no change | white blood cells profile | resistance training practitioners | null | No modification | #5 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation | no change | blood lipid profile | resistance training practitioners | null | No modification | #6 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation | no change | metabolic markers | resistance training practitioners | null | No modification | #7 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation | no change | urine markers | resistance training practitioners | null | No modification | #8 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation | no change | hepatic function | resistance training practitioners | null | No modification | #9 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation | no change | renal function | resistance training practitioners | null | No modification | #10 |
creatine monohydrate supplementation | no change | different organs and physiological systems | cohort of volunteers | null | no detrimental effects | #11 |
BACKGROUND: Creatine represents a natural supplement and ergogenic aid for sport performance, but there are several concerns regarding its safety for health. The present double-blind placebo-controlled study evaluated the effect of creatine monohydrate supplementation on a panel of blood and urine health indicators in resistance training practitioners. METHODS: Eighteen males performing resistance training three times per week were supplemented with 0.3 g/kg per day creatine monohydrate for 7 days and compared with matched controls supplemented with dextrosol. Blood and urine samples were collected pre- and 30 days post-supplementation to evaluate 41 biochemical parameters and renal function. RESULTS: Creatine monohydrate supplementation did not cause adverse events and, as expected, promoted an increase of the performance and body weight. No modification of red blood cells parameters, white blood cells profile, blood lipid profile, metabolic and urine markers, hepatic and renal function were observed in the supplemented group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the expected weight increase, the creatine monohydrate supplementation is safe for health and no detrimental effects on different organs and physiological systems were observed in our cohort of volunteers.