Is Creatine Illegal?
The use of creatine in professional sports has been on the rise over the last decade. There have been numerous stories of people from all over the world who have taken advantage of the muscle gaining potential of this naturally occurring amino acid. Athletes, body builders, and weekend warriors alike have used it as a supplement to add bulk to their muscles and boost their strength. It is not uncommon for a lean body to gain an incredible amount of muscle in a relatively short period of time. If you are an athlete trying to find out is creatine illegal, you need to know a little bit more about the compound.
Creatine is a natural compound found within your kidneys and liver. It is produced by the liver and kidneys breaking down ATP (the source of energy for the muscles) into ADP (which is an energy molecule that is used for muscle contractions). This is where creatine becomes a legal supplement. It is legal because it contains only natural substances that cannot be found in artificial food or supplements. There is no risk of unnatural side effects, just some negative side effects related to taking excess amounts of it.
The original compound that was banned from athletic events and other sporting events was cyclodextrin, which was a synthetic version of creatine. It was heavily promoted as a health supplement that would produce huge gains in strength, endurance, and muscle size in just a few days. It was also said to promote increased energy, weight loss, and lean muscle mass. The ncaa banned cyclodextrin as well because of the same reasons mentioned above. Since then, no known adverse side effects have been discovered in its use, which means it is once again legal to purchase as a dietary supplement.
The NCAA banned creatine because of its ability to increase the retention and intensity of team competition. This means that it is once again legal to use as a dietary supplement to help enhance muscle mass. There are no known health problems associated with its use, and there is no evidence that using it can cause fatigue, increase the likelihood of injury during exercise, or cause muscle spasms or cramps. Also, studies have shown that men who used it during body building increased their muscle mass more than those who did not.
The FDA and other research shows that creatine is safe when taken in its recommended dosage of five grams per day. When taken in that amount, it does not create dangerous side effects such as hyperuricaemia or kidney damage, nor does it interfere with blood glucose levels. There have also been no reported cases of kidney failure caused by taking creatine. So, it is safe to say that it is not a muscle building drug, but a safe dietary supplement.
The bottom line is, creatine is a safe dietary supplement that is perfectly acceptable as a nutrition supplement. There is no evidence that it is unsafe, and most athletes will find that it helps to increase muscle mass while decreasing fat and weight gain. It has not been banned by any governing body yet, so we could still see more research on its long term effects. However, for the time being, it is safe to say that it does not make you steroid. If you want to increase your muscle mass without gaining an extra ounce of fat, creatine supplementation may be for you.
