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By Registered Dietitian
on October 03, 2008
Optimal athletic performance requires food and nutrient intake that is tailored to each athlete’s sport, training schedule and individual needs. More...
By dotFIT experts
on October 03, 2008
Maintaining proper fluid balance is essential for every athlete since small levels of dehydration can negatively impact performance. More...
By Registered Dietitian
on October 09, 2008
Eat right and perform better, the two are directly related. This article will review the proper timing and balancing of pre- and post-workout/competition snacks or meals. Basic guidelines for parents and coaches are also provided. More...
By dotFIT experts
on November 11, 2008
Children generally need more nutrient-dense foods in their diets due to the fact that they tend to consume smaller amounts of food at meals. Children who do not receive proper levels of all nutrients do not have the full potential to develop and function optimally. More...

Is creatine supplementation safe for my child?

Is creatine supplementation safe for my child?


Answer: Based on the fact that there is very little data on the use of creatine supplements for youth athletes, and for ethical reasons there probably never will be, most professionals (including the dotFIT Research & Development team) recommend that the athlete wait until they have completed puberty or reach the age of 18 before using any potential performance enhancing supplement. This includes creatine.


More info

For obvious reasons, studies on performance enhancing supplements are not performed on developing children or pregnant females. That said, there have been over 500 clinical studies that have documented creatine supplementation to be a safe and effective means of improving athletic performance in adult athletes.

Below is the position of the International Society of Sports Nutrition on the use of creatine supplementation:

It is the position of the International Society of Sports Nutrition that the use of creatine as a nutritional supplement within established guidelines is safe, effective, and ethical. Despite lingering myths concerning creatine supplementation in conjunction with exercise, CM (creatine monohydrate) remains one of the most extensively studied, as well as effective, nutritional aids available to athletes. Hundreds of studies have shown the effectiveness of CM supplementation in improving anaerobic capacity, strength, and lean body mass in conjunction with training. In addition, CM has repeatedly been reported to be safe, as well as possibly beneficial in preventing injury. Finally, the future of creatine research looks bright regarding the areas of transport mechanisms, improved muscle retention, and treatment of numerous clinical maladies via supplementation.

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