Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss? Proven with Evidence

Creatine is a dietary supplement used by many athletes and bodybuilders to improve their muscle mass, strength and overall athletic performance. Creatine cause hair loss, it is the main question for many people. I will explain you with proper evidence.

Creatine is the safest supplement if you follow the proper dosage recommended. It has minor side effects like bloating and weight gain.

Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss?

No, there is no evidence to suggest creatine cause hair loss. Hair loss may be of some factors like medical conditions, hormones and genetics. Creatine is one of the safest supplements used by many people across the world. It is mainly used by bodybuilders and athletes to improve performance and strength. Before taking creatine consult a doctor’s opinion about it or you can consult some bodybuilders who take creatine regularly.

What is Creatine?

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in a small amount of certain foods. Creatine is transformed inside the body into phosphocreatine and stored in the muscles. Phosphocreatine releases a phosphate group during vigorous physical activity to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the main fuel for muscle contractions. Creatine supplements may assist improve athletic performance, boost strength, and encourage muscular growth by replacing ATP levels more quickly. You should only 3 to 5 grams of creatine daily not more than that to have a healthy life.

Creatine is mostly used by fitness people to increase exercise performance and support muscle development. It is a safe supplement but if you have any problems, consult a doctor before starting to take creatine.

Creatine Cause Hair Loss: Examining the Evidence

There are many myths often surrounding it, one of them is creatine cause hair loss. I will explain you clearly in detail about it here.

To understand the relationship between Creatine and Hair loss, it is very important to understand the basic functions and mechanisms of creatine within your body. Creatine is a naturally occurring compound synthesized from the amino acids in the liver and kidneys. Contrarily, hair loss can result from a variety of causes, including heredity, hormonal imbalances, illnesses, dietary deficiencies, and some drugs. Being entirely responsible for hair loss can be misleading because hair loss is a complex condition.

The majority of anecdotal evidence and individual experiences support the assertion that creatine contributes to hair loss. Some people claim that after starting a creatine supplement, their hair started to shed more or thin out. Anecdotal evidence by itself, however, is insufficient to prove a connection. Deeper insight can only be provided through scientific investigation., hair loss can result from a variety of causes, including heredity, hormonal imbalances, illnesses, dietary deficiencies, and some drugs. Being entirely responsible for hair loss can be misleading because hair loss is a complex condition.

Research about Creatine Cause Hair Loss

1. One study looked at the effects of creatine supplementation on different indicators, including hair loss, in collegiate football players, and it was published in the “Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine” in 2009. The subjects’ use of creatine did not appear to be significantly associated with hair loss, according to the study’s findings. However, this study’s generalizability was constrained by its small sample size and concentration on a particular group.

2. Another investigation into the effects of creatine supplementation on male rugby players was released in the “Journal of Sports Science and Medicine” in 2013. Over the course of the study, the researchers found no discernible variations in the rate of hair loss between the creatine group and the control group. Similar to that study, this one failed to prove a direct connection between using creatine supplements and hair loss.

3. Another investigation, a review of the scientific literature on creatine supplementation and its potential drawbacks was published in the “Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition” in 2015. The research found no evidence to prove that creatine contributes to hair loss.

Side Effects and Safety Precautions of Creatine Cause Hair loss

Here we will discuss about the side effects and safety precautions of creatine, so you can be well prepared before taking creatine.

Side Effects of Creatine Cause Hair Loss

1. Weight Gain

2. Dehydration

3. Gastrointestinal distress

1. Weight Gain: Creatine supplements can lead to initial weight gain due to the water retention in your muscles and body. But don’t worry it is a temporary effect don’t confuse this with gaining body fat. If you consider weight gain as a problem adjust this with your diet.

2. Dehydration: Drink water regularly if you take creatine because creatine takes the water to your muscles which can increase the risk of dehydration. So drink sufficient amounts of water to prevent dehydration.

3. Gastrointestinal Distress: Some people experience gastrointestinal distress such as bloating and diarrhea. To avoid these side effects, I recommend you start with a lower dosage of 3 to 5 grams per day.

Safety Precautions against Creatine

1. Consult a doctor

2. Dosage

3. Hydration

4. Quality

1. Consult a Doctor: Before starting any supplement including creatine, consult a doctor so they can check and tell you about your health conditions and about you can take creatine or not.

2. Dosage: I recommend you to start taking creatine with a lower dosage ( 3 to 5 grams a day). Excessive intake of creatine will lead to side effects and health problems.

3. Hydration: Drinking more amount of water is essential when you are using creatine. Drink 4 to 5 liters of water daily to prevent health issues. Ensure you drink enough water throughout the day to support proper fluid balance and prevent you from hydration.

4. Quality: Buy creatine supplements from reputable brands that undergo safety, purity and quality. This will help you to buy safe and reliable products.

Benefits of Using Creatine

Creatine is a popular and extensively researched dietary supplement with the potential to improve sports performance and encourage muscular building. Here are some of the main advantages of using creatine.

1. Power and Strength

In high-intensity, quick-duration activities like weightlifting, running, and leaping, creatine supplementation has been found to increase strength and power output. It helps because it gives the muscles more energy, allowing them to work harder.

2. Exercise performance

By making more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main energy source for muscular contractions, available, creatine has the potential to enhance overall exercise performance. Resistance training and repeated sprints are two examples of activities that can benefit from this improved performance.

3. Muscle Growth

The capacity of creatine to encourage muscular hypertrophy and growth is well established. It aids in raising the water content of muscle cells, causing cell volumization, which may promote protein synthesis in the muscles and eventually aid in muscle growth.

4. Recovery

Creatine may speed up muscle recovery and lessen the damage that exercise causes to muscles. Faster recovery between strenuous workouts or training sessions can be achieved by replenishing ATP storage and enhancing phosphocreatine re-synthesis.

5. Safety

A popular and reasonably priced dietary supplement is creatine. When used in accordance with approved dosages, it is usually regarded as safe for healthy individuals.

The Bottom Line

There is no scientific evidence to prove that using creatine supplements causes hair loss. Personal accounts and anecdotal evidence alone are insufficient to prove a connection. It is important to take into account a variety of potential causes because hair loss is a complex condition caused by many different circumstances. The best course of action is always to seek professional guidance if you are worried about hair loss.