Are There Adverse Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Health?
Researchers studying potential adverse events associated with creatine ingestion have focused on three areas: 1) the possibility that creatine supplementation might induce muscle dysfunction, 2) the association between creatine supplementation and heat illness, and 3) the effects of creatine supplementation on kidney health. Muscle dysfunction that presents itself as increased muscle injury or cramping has been theoretically associated with creatine supplementation based on the fact that creatine loading may increase intracellular water. Greenwood et al. (2003) examined the association between creatine supplementation and the incidence of injuries observed over three years of college football training and competition in NCAA Division IA athletes. The incidence of cramping, heat illness, muscle tightness, muscle pulls/strains, non-contact joint injuries, contact injuries, illness, number of missed practices due to injury, players lost for the season, and total injuries and missed practi
