Is Diarrhea Caused By An Excess Of Creatine?

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Creatine supplementation has been linked to various side effects, including diarrhea, stomach pain, and weight gain. This is due to an increase in water retention in the muscles, which can lead to dehydration and digestive discomfort. The use of creatine can also cause gastrointestinal distress, including bloating, gas, and upset stomach.

There are several potential causes for diarrhea, including low water intake, sensitivity to creatine, and high doses. Short-term diarrhea should not be a significant issue, but if diarrhea lasts for more than two days without improvement, medical attention should be sought. High doses of creatine supplements can overwhelm the digestive system and lead to diarrhea.

Side effects may include weight gain, anxiety, breathing difficulty, muscle cramping, dehydration, diarrhea, nausea, and seizures. Understanding these causes can help individuals avoid taking too much creatine. Excessive doses of creatine can cause digestive issues, as seen in a 2008 study where a 5-g dose taken twice daily caused diarrhea in 29 participants.

To avoid diarrhea, it is recommended to take the recommended 5g of creatine throughout the day. Creatine is osmotically active, meaning it draws water out of the body and causes diarrhea. If you dose it throughout the day, it should decrease the risk of diarrhea.

In addition to diarrhea, some people may experience stomach upset when taking high doses of creatine. When creatine is not fully absorbed by the intestines, it can draw water into the gastrointestinal tract, leading to bloating and potentially diarrhea.

In conclusion, while most healthy people can take creatine supplements without problems, excessive doses can lead to digestive issues and other health issues. It is essential to understand the potential causes of diarrhea and take appropriate precautions to prevent any negative effects.

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Diarrhea & creatine : r/StartingStrengthThe osmotic activity of creatine results in the drawing of water out of the body, which may manifest as diarrhea. If the medication is administered at regular intervals throughout the day, it should result in a reduction in the…www.reddit.com
Is Creatine Safe? And More Side Effect FAQsAs is the case with numerous supplements and pharmaceuticals, the ingestion of excessive quantities of creatine may precipitate the onset of digestive complications. In a 2008 study, a 5-gram dose administered twice daily resulted in the onset of diarrhea.www.healthline.com
Can You Take Too Much Creatine? Side Effects and DosageIngestion of excessive quantities may also result in the development of gastrointestinal distress. Creatine is one of the most prevalent sports supplements currently available on the market.www.healthline.com

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Does creatine make you more watery?

Creatine Supplementation Increases Total Body Water Without Altering Fluid Distribution.

Objective:. To examine the effects of oral creatine (Cr) monohydrate supplementation on muscle Cr concentration, body mass, and total body water (TBW), extracellular water (ECW), and intracellular water (ICW) volumes.

Design and Setting:. After an overnight fast, urinary Cr and creatinine concentrations, muscle Cr concentration, body mass, TBW, ECW, and ICW were measured, and subjects were randomly assigned to either a Cr or a placebo (P) group. The Cr group ingested 25 g/d of Cr for 7 days (loading phase) and 5 g/d for the remaining 21 days (maintenance phase), whereas the P group ingested a sucrose P using the same protocol. All the measures were reassessed immediately after the loading and maintenance phases.

Subjects:. Sixteen men (age = 22. 8 ± 3. 01 years, height = 179. 8 ± 7. 1 cm, body mass = 84. 8 ± 11. 2 kg) and 16 women (age = 21. 8 ± 2. 51 years, height = 163. 4 ± 5. 9 cm, body mass = 63. 6 ± 14. 0 kg) involved in resistance training volunteered to participate in this study.

What does high creatine feel like?
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What does high creatine feel like?

The results of your father’s creatinine blood test are indeed quite high. The normal range for an adult man is 0. 7 to 1. 3 mg/dL (that’s milligrams per deciliter). For women it is 0. 6 to 1. 1 mg/dL. The symptoms that you say he is experiencing feeling weak and experiencing cramps are among those that high creatinine levels, and the impaired kidney function they suggest, can cause. Additional symptoms include high blood pressure, feeling nauseated, vomiting, chest pain and fluid retention.

When it comes to lowering creatinine levels, there is no single solution. Because meat is a source of creatine, from which creatinine is derived, lowering the amount of meat in the diet is important. Several studies have found that adding high-fiber foods to the diet can have a beneficial effect on elevated creatinine. Dehydration can raise creatinine levels, so drinking enough water is also important. Avoid tobacco products, reduce salt and limit the use of NSAIDs, each of which can put a strain on the kidneys.

In your father’s case, with uncontrolled diabetes and high creatinine levels, we urge him to seek immediate medical care. The doctor will evaluate your father’s kidney function and screen him for kidney disease. Based on a physical exam, test results and a medical history, your father will be advised of the appropriate path forward.

Is it good to drink a lot of water when taking creatine?
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Is it good to drink a lot of water when taking creatine?

It’s essential to drink plenty of water when taking creatine to get the most out of the supplements. Creatine might cause you to gain some weight from the water pulled into your muscles.

Creatine supplements come in different varieties, but creatine monohydrate has the most research backing its safety and effectiveness. Creatine works best when taken with easy-to-digest carbohydrates and proteins to quickly provide muscle boost during activity.

Avoid taking creatine with alcohol or caffeine, since they’re both diuretics that can cause dehydration. Also, if you have kidney or liver disease, talk with your doctor before taking creatine.

Is 2 scoops of creatine a day too much?
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Is 2 scoops of creatine a day too much?

Most creatine companies recommend taking between 20 to 30g a day to creatine load. One scoop is typically 5g. You’ll want to only take one scoop at a time to mitigate potential side effects. Think one scoop with each meal and snack.

Are there any side effects to creatine loading?. Personally, I’ve also found the creatine loading phase gift me with some unpleasant gut cramps, not to mention frequent bathroom breaks considering all the water I was drinking along with the supplement. So I was relieved to hear that I could back off from loading, at the blessing of Mohr, who has heard of similar complaints before.

There was one cautionary sentence Mohr did send along, however: “Also creatine won’t work without a solid nutrition plan and training.”

How much water should I drink with creatine?
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How much water should I drink with creatine?

Drink 12-16 cups if you’re working out and using creatine. If you’re adding creatine to your routine, the water you drink with your creatine dose should be on top of your usual daily water goal. The amount of water you need can vary based on things like your size, activity level, and gender.

But generally, shooting for at least 3 to 4 liters of water, or 12 to 16 cups, per day is a good idea, especially if you’re working out and using creatine.

Don’t forget to replace the water you lose. Not drinking enough water can mean your creatine doesn’t work as well, which could leave your muscles feeling a bit fatigued. And don’t forget to drink extra water to replace what you lose during your workouts.

If you’re not replacing the water being pulled into your muscles, there might not be enough left for other important stuff your body needs to do. So, keeping up with your hydration game is key to making the most of your creatine and feeling your best overall.

Is 5g of creatine enough to build muscle?
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Is 5g of creatine enough to build muscle?

Instead, studies show that consuming about three to five grams per day (14 mg per pound of body weight or 30 mg per kg of body weight) is all that you need in order to maintain your muscle stores.

The dosage amount is consistent for both men and women regardless of athletic ability. Even those who are elderly may be able to help support healthy muscle tone by consuming creatine at this amount.

The supplement is one of few health and fitness supplements with equal effectiveness regardless of athletic ability.

Does Creatine Have Any Side Effects?. You may be wondering if creatine has any side effects.

How long does creatine water weight last?
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How long does creatine water weight last?

Does Water Retention From Creatine Supplementation Go Away?. There’s no need to worry about creatine water retention from creatine supplementation. Water retention from creatine supplementation is temporary and will typically resolve on its own a few weeks following the loading cycle. It can even improve lean body mass over time. Keep in mind that changes in body weight are likely not a reflection of increases in fat mass, but rather a combination of muscle mass and fluid retention.

If you’re experiencing persistent bloating or discomfort, it might be worth reviewing your overall diet and hydration levels. Sometimes, other dietary factors can exacerbate water retention, and ensuring a balanced intake of electrolytes can help mitigate these effects.

Does Creatine Supplementation Make You Puffy?. Because taking creatine supplements can cause water retention, it may cause you to feel puffy or bloated. Although these side effects can be uncomfortable for some, it is temporary and not a cause for concern as far as overall body mass or body weight.

Is 10g of creatine a day too much?
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Is 10g of creatine a day too much?

When taken by mouth : Creatine is likely safe for most people. Doses up to 25 grams daily for up to 14 days have been safely used. Lower doses up to 4-5 grams daily for up to 18 months have also been safely used. Creatine is possibly safe when taken long-term. Doses up to 10 grams daily for up to 5 years have been safely used. Side effects might include dehydration, upset stomach, and muscle cramps.

When applied to the skin : There isn’t enough reliable information to know if creatine is safe. It might cause side effects such as redness and itching.

When taken by mouth : Creatine is likely safe for most people. Doses up to 25 grams daily for up to 14 days have been safely used. Lower doses up to 4-5 grams daily for up to 18 months have also been safely used. Creatine is possibly safe when taken long-term. Doses up to 10 grams daily for up to 5 years have been safely used. Side effects might include dehydration, upset stomach, and muscle cramps.

Is creatine giving me diarrhea?
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Is creatine giving me diarrhea?

  • Weight gain: creatine can cause your muscles to retain water, which may result in a slight uptick on the bathroom scales – this isn’t fat gain, just your muscles storing more water, which can make them appear more toned 8
  • stomach upset: high doses of creatine may upset your stomach, causing issues like diarrhoea or gas. To avoid this, try taking smaller doses throughout the day 9

Some people may report other issues when taking creatine, but these are more likely to be related to dehydration than creatine itself, for example:

  • Muscle cramps: some gym-goers claim to experience muscle cramps when taking creatine, but some scientific research may argue that creatine might actually reduce the risk of cramps under certain conditions, such as dehydration and heat 1
  • dehydration: some people claim creatine causes dehydration, but this is thought to be a myth, creatine doesn’t dehydrate you. But remember, staying hydrated during workouts is still key 1, 11
  • dry mouth: this is when your salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva, often because you’re dehydrated. While creatine doesn’t cause dehydration, an intense workout can lead to water loss through sweating, so it’s crucial to keep a water bottle handy and sip regularly to stay hydrated 10
  • dizziness: there’s no direct link between dizziness and creatine use, but it could signal dehydration from intense workouts. If you feel lightheaded, check that you’re drinking enough water 12
  • hair loss: although there’s speculation that creatine causes hair loss, no medical evidence supports this claim 1
  • liver and kidney damage: for those in good health, creatine isn’t associated with liver or kidney damage when you take it in recommended doses 1
What not to do while taking creatine?
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What not to do while taking creatine?

What to avoid. Avoid drinking caffeine (coffee, tea, soda) or taking herbal stimulants such as ephedra or Ma Huang while you are taking creatine. Combining this product with these substances may increase your risk of having a stroke or other serious medical problems.

Generic name: creatine (KREE a teen). Drug class: Nutraceutical products.

  • Uses
  • Warnings
  • Before taking
  • What to avoid
  • Side effects
  • Interactions
  • FAQ

What is creatine?. Creatine is used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid for enhancing athletic performance, and for increasing muscle strength in people with heart failure, muscular dystrophy, and McArdle’s disease (a genetic disorder). It may also be possibly effective in treating Parkinson’s disease, and gyrate atrophy (a genetic eye disorder that affects the retina and causes vision loss).


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Is Diarrhea Caused By An Excess Of Creatine?
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Elle Pierson

Hi, I’m Elle Pierson, RN, MBA—a passionate Healthcare Consultant dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve better health outcomes. As a TEDx Speaker, Author, and Mentor, I bring my expertise in medicine and healthcare management to help others navigate complex systems with confidence. My mission is to inspire change and create meaningful solutions in the world of healthcare. Thank you for joining me on this journey!

Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Executive MBA from Texas Woman’s University.
Email: [email protected]

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9 comments

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  • For lifters, I strongly recommend taking 5g creatine on a per-workout basis as part of a pre-workout mix. If you do one workout a day (let’s say 12-20 sets per workout) then 5g is plenty to reload and maintain your creatine levels. If you’re doing 3 workouts a day then taking 15g on that day is more appropriate. Worried about too much creatine? Then skip the loading phase! A typical loading phase adds 140g of creatine baseline in a week and assumes a depletion of 35g a week for net of 105g baseline. If instead 15g for 6 days is used (assuming one rest day) ithen we are adding 90g of creatine

  • I took 2 huge scoops (perhaps 4 tablespoons or more) the other day because I had cycled off it and forgot the doseage when coming back on. I woke up in a cold sweat that night feeling like there was a hot ball of sandpaper spinning around inside my abdomen. Food poisoning is a nice way of saying what went down after that…

  • Same to me… took a double dose everyday for a week and didn’t drink enough water and ended up in the ER because I felt pain behind my the right side of my chest (my lung) every time I took a deep breath. And got worse as time went on… the doc thought it was acid reflex then that it was a food allergy… till I omitted creatine for a week to test this for myself and yup… the pain stopped after I quit drinking CREATINE… so becareful ppl and drink plenty of water when taking because you could suffocate your body if you don’t drink enough water because it will absorb the water from you from another part of you if not enough water is available and you could die.

  • I took 33g of creatine for like 2-3 days in a row but had to stop immediately bc of how ill I felt. It has been about 4 days since I went cold turkey on it but i still get side effects of heart palpitations, vertigo, dizziness, a slight nausea. Anyone know how to fix these symptoms? How should I cope with it and about how long would this last?

  • Took 25 g of creatine today after work for the first time. Dont know if i am allergic but my body feels like its on fire as if i am in a bath full of nettles. I still did my workout but left early after 2 hours it is going better but i still feel f* up. So i dont know if this helps but maybe taking 20-25 throughout the day is better.

  • I’m new to this all, and I was worried about just 25g across a day, 5g in each 750ml bottle of water. And each bottle finished before/during doing a workout, usually dumbells, flexibility training, or 10 minutes jogging. It sounds like I may have got it right hopefully. I just want my muscles to stop feeling like jelly and be able to push through.

  • I know it’s old article but I take about 20 grams of creatine a day but I only drink water I take it in the morning 10 grams and 10 grams about two hours again before bed take a shaker bottle fill it to the top with 25 ounces of water drink it with my hour and a half workout at 7 am 10 grams then throughout the day I drink nothing but water in my shaker cup not all the time about three times a day 25 ounces of water one if those is two hours before bed cause I take another 10 grams . So 20 grams is ok to do as long as you drink enough water also some peoples body can’t handle creatine .

  • Please help🙏🏻, I’ve been taking 20g at one dose every day for the last 4 days, I don’t feel anything in my stomach or something like this. what should I do? Should I finish the 7 days like this, or split the 20g into four doses or continue from tomorrow with a 3-5 grams? Please help I’m afraid I’m damaging my body 🙏🏻

  • Instructions: ADD ONE SCOOP to 60 fluid oz= half gal=4 sugar free gatorades “Loading faze” Aka juiced fullness dehydrated stage off creatine and haven’t been drinking fluids This beginning stage you can take advantage of two to 4 scoops every 30 fluid oz every time after you pee which can be that you pee and drink 5-10 bottles of water until feel hydrated and full your pee is turning lighter or close to clear and do this the first two days or until you are back to peeing once or twice a day Drop drop down to one scoop a day at a half gallon. Easily way to make sure you get a half gal is to buy one of those large thermal cup with a lid and straw and finish two of those first days and one every day after. If you have back pain or lazyness and it goes away you know it was caused to dehydration. “The best creatine to take is HCI AND dry scooping is just fine as long as you’re finishing your water . Side effects are being thirsty, softer stools especially if your on medications that dry you out and harden your stool. Increased strength durability. The worst side affects is feeling full and then feeling flat after not you stop scooping and and drinking regularly.

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