Is it safe for athletes to use creatine monohydrate?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a badminton player, and I train regularly, intending to improve my strength and endurance. I have heard that athletes commonly use creatine monohydrate to enhance performance, but I’m unsure if it’s safe or recommended for someone my age. Could you please let me know if creatine is safe for teenagers, especially in the context of a sport like badminton? Would it actually help with performance, and are there any potential risks or side effects I should be aware of? Also, are there any natural alternatives to creatine that could healthily support strength and endurance?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Regarding your question about creatine, the use of creatine supplements for muscle building at your age is not considered safe. Creatine is not an anabolic steroid, but it does influence muscle metabolism. However, using it during adolescence may put unnecessary stress on your heart and other organs, especially if not monitored by a healthcare provider. Therefore, I strongly advise against using creatine at this stage. Instead, you can consider a general multivitamin supplement such as Centrum (contains B vitamins such as folic acid, niacin, B1, B2, B6, and B12, and vitamin C, A, D, and E, and minerals such as zinc), 500 milligrams, taken orally once daily for one month. This can help support overall health and energy levels during training.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.