As coaches we all are aware of the growing popularity of Creatine Supplements for teenage athletes including baseball players. Our concern is the lack of knowledge some users have concerning Creatine's use. On this page we present links to sites presenting facts and information for your review.

We do not advocate Creatine use. We do believe that there are valid arguments for and against. We feel that all coaches should be informed about the dangers of it's misuse and abuse. As with almost anything too much is harmful. We encourage you to read the facts, be informed and make your own decision with your own good conscience.

Creatine Supplements: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Sports Medicine Experts Issue Position Statement By Jeanie Davis WebMD Medical News

EXCERPT - March 31, 2000 (Atlanta) -- Amateur athletes are popping creatine supplements thinking that they can gain the exercise performance of a star athlete. But according to experts, their expectations are way off base.

"[Mark] McGwire's breaking the home-run hitting record was absolutely remarkable, but I can't imagine it had anything to do with the creatine supplements he was on," Ronald L. Terjung, PhD, professor of physiology in biomedical sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia, tells WebMD. "Professional teams, college teams, high school athletes -- creatine is very widespread but without much information to base it on." (Creatine Supplements: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Sports Medicine Experts Issue Position Statement, By Jeanie Davis, WebMD Medical News)

Creatine Supplementation Message Board

EXCERPT - "Creatine is classified as a "dietary supplement" under the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act and is available without a prescription. Creatine is not subjected to FDA testing, and the purity and hygienic condition of commercial creatine products may be questionable [21]. A 1998 FDA report lists 32 adverse creatine-associated events that had been reported to FDA. These include seizure, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, myopathy, cardiac arrhythmia, deep vein thromboses and death. However, there is no certainty that a reported adverse event can be attributed to a particular product [22]. A recent survey of 28 male baseball players and 24 male football players, ages 18 to 23, found that 16 (31%) experienced diarrhea, 13 (25%) experienced muscle cramps, 7 (13%) reported unwanted weight gain, 7 (13%) reported dehydration, and 12 reported various other adverse effects [23]." (Creatine Supplementation Beth Lulinski, M.S., R.D)

Creatine -What It Is; Why It Works

EXCERPT - "With promises of enhanced athletic performance, increased energy, a leaner and stronger body, and prolonged physical fitness, the advocates of Creatine have been attracting a lot of attention recently. And in fact, there is some evidence to suggest that Creatine can boost certain kinds of athletic performance. However, the results are mixed and the long-term effects of Creatine supplementation are not known. The only certainty is that Creatine has successfully relieved a few rare disorders of muscle or energy metabolism. If you decide to use Creatine, it would be best to consult with your doctor first."

Creatine is one of the most widely used, and widely touted, supplements for body builders. Does it work? By Dean Haycock WebMd

EXCERPT - "Long-term studies on the daily use of creatine for more than a few months have not been done," says Ray Sahelian, MD, the author of Creatine: Nature's Muscle Builder. What's more, overdoing creatine can cause trouble. The short-term side effects of taking more than 5 grams a day include nausea and diarrhea, according to Sahelian. "Long-term side effects with daily dosages of greater than 10 grams a day may include harm to the kidneys, especially in those with kidney disease." Sahelian currently does not recommend it for teenagers or individuals older than 80 because of potential stress on the kidneys."

EXCERPT - "Joe Tevella, 40, has been lifting weights on and off for 20 years. For the past 18 months, he's been especially dedicated, pumping iron at home four days a week -- and taking a daily dose of creatine.

"I was surprised, because usually you hear all this stuff [about supplements] and they don't work," he says. With creatine, however, he has seen definite changes. "The biggest difference is I feel a lot fresher when I work out," he says. "It has helped me get a little stronger. I have grown a little bit in size. Plus, it gives me quicker recovery."