A short review of the most common safety concerns regarding creatine ingestion
- PMID: 41404326
- PMCID: PMC12702719
- DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1682746
A short review of the most common safety concerns regarding creatine ingestion
Abstract
Creatine monohydrate supplementation is widely used for enhancing athletic performance and improving clinical outcomes, but concerns regarding its safety persist, particularly relating to risk of cancer, impaired kidney function, dehydration, and gastrointestinal issues. This short review critically evaluates these concerns based on current scientific evidence. Although some theoretical risks, such as creatine's potential to form carcinogenic compounds, have been discussed, the available research does not support a link between creatine supplementation and cancer. In terms of kidney health, studies consistently show no adverse effects on renal function in healthy individuals, though caution is advised for those with pre-existing kidney conditions and pregnant women, as evidence is lacking for these populations. Claims that creatine leads to dehydration or muscle cramps during exercise are largely unsupported by controlled studies, which demonstrate no significant effects on hydration or thermoregulation; in fact, creatine may reduce the incidence of muscle cramps and assist in maintaining thermoregulatory balance. Gastrointestinal distress is reported in some individuals, particularly at high doses, but such effects are dose-dependent and not universally experienced. Overall, the evidence suggests that creatine monohydrate supplementation is generally safe when used appropriately, with further research needed to understand its impact on specific populations.
Keywords: adverse effects; creatinine; dietary supplements; malignancy; nutrition; pregnancy; sports.
Copyright © 2025 Longobardi, Solis, Roschel and Gualano.
Conflict of interest statement
BG received research grants, creatine donation for scientific studies, travel support for participation in scientific conferences, and honorarium for speaking at lectures from AlzChem (a company which manufactures creatine). Additionally, he served as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Alzchem. HR received research grants and supplement donations for scientific studies from AlzChem, Natural Alternatives International, DuPont, J.B.S., and NotCompany. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.
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