Health Updates Archives
Dangers of Creatine for Teens
When baseball slugger Mark McGwire broke Babe Ruth's home
run record in 1999, he inspired young athletes all across
the nation. He did this not only through his actions but through
his words.
"Nothing," McGwire told reporters, "is impossible
if you just set your mind to it." Unfortunately, McGwire's
record-shattering performance at the plate soon sent another,
more disturbing message. It was revealed in the press that
the St. Louis first baseman had been swallowing large doses
of creatine, a synthetic energy booster.
Creatine has been available as a dietary supplement since
the early 1990s. In the last year, however, sales have tripled.
partly due to McGwire's disclosure. Many of the buyers are
teens who wrongly believe that "muscle candy"–a
popular nickname for creatine–is safe. On the contrary,
concerns over possible dangerous, even deadly side effects
have prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to withhold
approval of the supplement until more research is done. Currently,
creatine is being marketed as a dietary supplement without
approval from the FDA, which means using it poses unknown
risks.
What Is Creatine?
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in humans
and animals. It is made in the body from amino acids, the
building blocks of protein. When creatine is chemically joined
with phosphorous, it helps increase levels of a compound called
ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is the main source of energy
for the activities of the body's cells.
As a dietary supplement, creatine is sold in many forms.
These include powder, liquid, and gel forms. The supplement
can also be found in candy bars and chewing gum. Health costs
aside, creatine doesn't come cheaply. A one-month supply typically
runs between $30 and $70.
Bad Candy
In the wake of creatine's newfound popularity, many claims
about this seemingly magical substance have surfaced. One
claim, often heard in school locker rooms, is that creatine
boosts athletic performance. Another is that the supplement
builds muscle without the same risks of anabolic steroids.
Is there any truth to these claims? Seeking an answer to
that question, a panel of experts in biomedicine and physiology
met earlier this year to review more than 120 scientific papers
on creatine. The panel was headed by Ronald L. Terjung, PhD,
professor of physiology in biomedical sciences at the University
of Missouri-Columbia.
According to Dr. Terjung, "Creatine does not improve
aerobic performance; it does not alter endurance. That applies
to virtually all sports–soccer, basketball, jogging,
swimming, cycling." As for the claims that the supplement
builds muscle mass, Terjung admits that athletes appear "to
be a little bulked up." At the same time, he readily
points out that most of this appearance is the result of water-weight
gain.
One final caution to teens in particular: Little research
has been done to date on the effects creatine use by people
16 and under. This is a factor that greatly magnifies the
supplement's potential risk for teens. "We don't know
the effects," Terjung warns, "so it's better to
be safe than sorry."
Just the Facts
- What news event appears to have contributed to the sudden
increase in sales of creatine? How much does creatine cost
typically?
- How does creatine work in the human body?
- Name two common claims made for creatine. Have health
experts found evidence to support these claims? Explain.
Beyond the Facts
- The FDA tests the safety of food and drug products but
does not regulate untested products such as cosmetics and
dietary supplements. How might research on creatine change
the marketing of this product?
- Suppose that a friend told you that he or she had discovered
a cheap source of creatine. What advice might you give?
Applying the Facts
The article mentions the compound called ATP, which it identifies
as the main source of energy for the activities of the body's
cells. Using print or online resources, find out more about
this vital chemical substance. In particular, determine: (1)
the specific jobs it carries out, (2) how long it remains
in the body, and (3) what foods or other nutrient sources
provide ATP healthfully. Share your findings in the form of
a poster or brief written report.
