Is Creatine safe? Find out before you take any creatine powder supplement to gain muscle mass.


Over the course of the past few years that I have been taking a creatine powder supplement I have found no adverse side effects as a result of it.

I didn’t go bald, nor did I get super aggressive or get kidney damage despite what other sources may indicate.

If I were to name an effect it had on me other than increasing my strength and lean muscle mass it would be water retention and an increase in overall drive which may have been a result of elevated testosterone.

Water retention from Creatine

If you’re taking creatine monohydrate expect to notice an increase in body weight and also a visible appearance of looking a bit “soft” as bodybuilders would say. This is due to water retention which is sucked in and stored in the muscles cells.

This water results in a lack of definition to the body for the period in which you are taking creatine. Do not worry though, this water retention usually stops once you cease taking the supplement.

Expect to see a 1-2kg increase in bodyweight during the end of the loading phase of taking creatine.

For the average person water retention is the only negative effect –if you want to call it that- of taking creatine. However, the long term negative effects of creatine are uncertain as research of the subject is relatively recent.

Always stick to the manufacturer’s advice on how and when to take the product as creatine levels can vary from each individual serving of any give creatine powder supplement. Also, choose a period of say 6-10 weeks whereby you plan to use creatine.

After this space of time take at least a 2 month break from using the product so the body can get familiar with life without creatine

Although, no negative side effects have ever been noted in the research but, then also some effects that you may physically experience may be:

• Subtle chest tightness
• Weight gain in the form of muscle mass and water retention
• Water Retention
• Gas problems and bloating
• Heat Intolerance

If you are experiencing a lot of adverse side effects many a times then you should stop taking creatine right away and talk to your doctor.