Creatine Supplementation: safe and not just for athletes
The case presented by Willis et al. [1] on the misdiagnosis of kidney
disease
highlights a potential difficulty with the use of creatine, at least in
their
subset of patients with HIV infection on anti retro-viral drugs.
In the past the safety profile of creatine has been questioned
particularly with
respect to heat illness although a meta-analysis has largely disproved
these
claims [2] and recent research suggests that it may in fact aid
performance in
hot climates[3].
Creatine cannot only be considered a useful ergogenic aid to athletic
individuals, as it is increasingly finding therapeutic uses, particularly
in
patients with neuro-degenerative conditions [4]. Encouragingly creatine
appears safe in these patient groups, as demonstrated by a 2 year follow
up
study of patients with Parkinson's disease which showed creatine to be
well
tolerated with no detrimental effects on renal function despite a slight
rise in
serum creatinine [5].
The message that creatine is safe despite changes in creatinine may
therefore
develop increasing relevance as its' use beyond the athletic arena becomes more prominent.
References
1) Willis J, Jones R, Nwokolo N, Levy J. Protein and creatine supplements
and
misdiagnosis of chronic kidney disease. BMJ 2010; 340:b5027
2) Lopez RM, Casa DJ, McDermott BP, Ganio MS, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM.
Doescreatine supplementation hinder exercise heat tolerance or hydration
status? A systematic review with meta-analyses. J Athl Train. 2009 Mar-
Apr;44(2):215-23.
3) Dalbo VJ, Roberts MD, Stout JR, Kerksick CM. Putting to rest the myth
of
creatine supplementation leading to muscle cramps and dehydration. Br J
Sports Med. 2008 Jul;42(7):567-73..
4) Adhihetty PJ, Beal MF. Creatine and its potential therapeutic value for
targeting cellular energy impairment in neurodegenerative diseases.
Neuromolecular Med. 2008;10(4):275-90. Epub 2008 Nov 13.
5) Bender A, Samtleben W, Elstner M, Klopstock T. Long-term creatine
supplementation is safe in aged patients with Parkinson disease. Nutr Res. 2008. Mar;28(3):172-8.
Rapid Response:
Creatine Supplementation: safe and not just for athletes
The case presented by Willis et al. [1] on the misdiagnosis of kidney
disease
highlights a potential difficulty with the use of creatine, at least in
their
subset of patients with HIV infection on anti retro-viral drugs.
In the past the safety profile of creatine has been questioned
particularly with
respect to heat illness although a meta-analysis has largely disproved
these
claims [2] and recent research suggests that it may in fact aid
performance in
hot climates[3].
Creatine cannot only be considered a useful ergogenic aid to athletic
individuals, as it is increasingly finding therapeutic uses, particularly
in
patients with neuro-degenerative conditions [4]. Encouragingly creatine
appears safe in these patient groups, as demonstrated by a 2 year follow
up
study of patients with Parkinson's disease which showed creatine to be
well
tolerated with no detrimental effects on renal function despite a slight
rise in
serum creatinine [5].
The message that creatine is safe despite changes in creatinine may
therefore
develop increasing relevance as its' use beyond the athletic arena becomes more prominent.
References
1) Willis J, Jones R, Nwokolo N, Levy J. Protein and creatine supplements
and
misdiagnosis of chronic kidney disease. BMJ 2010; 340:b5027
2) Lopez RM, Casa DJ, McDermott BP, Ganio MS, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM.
Doescreatine supplementation hinder exercise heat tolerance or hydration
status? A systematic review with meta-analyses. J Athl Train. 2009 Mar-
Apr;44(2):215-23.
3) Dalbo VJ, Roberts MD, Stout JR, Kerksick CM. Putting to rest the myth
of
creatine supplementation leading to muscle cramps and dehydration. Br J
Sports Med. 2008 Jul;42(7):567-73..
4) Adhihetty PJ, Beal MF. Creatine and its potential therapeutic value for
targeting cellular energy impairment in neurodegenerative diseases.
Neuromolecular Med. 2008;10(4):275-90. Epub 2008 Nov 13.
5) Bender A, Samtleben W, Elstner M, Klopstock T. Long-term creatine
supplementation is safe in aged patients with Parkinson disease. Nutr Res. 2008. Mar;28(3):172-8.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests