Can teen consume creatine safely? The brief response is, maybe. For the long answer, however, continue reading.

While no studies show that creatine for teenagers is unsafe, there are also no studies to say definitively that creatine supplements are OK. What does this translate to for teens wanting to build muscles?

Is Creatine For Teenagers Bad?

Among the most prominent concerns in regards to youths looking to boost their athletic abilities is steroid use. Creatine is in no way related to steroids, nor does it produce the same effects.

So, does that mean creatine for teenagers is OK? Not precisely. The concern with determining this is that although there is no research to show creatine for teenagers is harmful, there haven’t been any long-term studies done on creatine use.

Teens are in peak growing cycles until the age of 18, and some even slightly longer than that. During that time, it is usually recommended in the medical and athletic communities that bodybuilding supplements, even naturally occuring ones such as creatine, should be avoided. The risks are not worth the reward.

Side Effects of Creatine

While there have been no extended research studies on creatine side effects, there have been some reported minor side effects in the short-term that users have noticed, and anybody studying creatine for teenagers needs to be aware about them.

Common effects include typically digestive problems - upset stomache, muscle cramping, diarrhea, dehydration and, for women, increased urination (mostly noted during menstruation).

The majority of them can be reduced by increasing water intake, severely reducing caffeine intake and adjusting doses of creatine.

Improper Use Of Creatine

It is true that proper creatine use has been shown to be generally safe; however, abusing creatine has been linked to more severe side effects.

Abusing creatine - consuming excessive amounts and doing so for extended periods - can cause stress on the kidneys and liver. Excess amounts of creatine are excreted of the body, and over time the extra strain for your liver and kidneys can translate into severe problems.

If you are looking into the safety of creatine for teens, the chance of incorrect use, on purpose or not, should be carefully considered.

Teens and Health Priorities

Whenever approaching health goals at any age, you should give first concern to researching, beginning and continuing a healthy food and exercise program. If you don't have a strong base, no supplement in the world will help you achieve your goals safely.

When that baseline is formed, then supplements will be able to help you get to what you are seeking. It's vital to understand, however, supplements like creatine will not give you a total body makeover, they only offer a small bump. For teens, getting to the point of eating healthy regularly and building and sticking to a personalized fitness regimen is considerably better than using a supplement.

Teenagers Insistent On Creatine Supplements

If a a teenager is dead set on trying creatine, these suggestions are strongly advised:

Meticulously review ALL dosage information, and take increased safety precautions by consuming a smaller dosage than instructed; and
Be sure your school athletics department allows using supplements.