Is Creatine a Steroid? (yes or no?)

January 9, 2024 |

Posted By

Max Health Living is a reader-supported site. Purchases made through links may earn a commission. Learn more.

This article is all about clearing your doubts about Creatine being a steroid or not.

But before getting into deets, you need to know what actually steroid is. And what it’s used for?

Well, steroids are man-made variants of the male sex hormone testosterone. These substances are referred to as anabolic-androgenic steroids. They can have detrimental effects on health and are illegal to use.

As we have now briefly defined steroids, let’s discuss why there are so many misconceptions about Creatine being a steroid.

Not only this, but we’ve also got an all-natural and safe creatine supplement recommendation for you…

So, keep reading to find out!

Is Creatine a Steroid – Yes or No?

No, Creatine is not a steroid. Creatine is an effective supplement with significant advantages for sports performance and overall health. It is a natural source of energy found throughout your body, with 95 percent stored in the muscles.

According to Creatine facts and statistics – this is the world’s most popular and well-studied ergogenic aid and performance booster, with 1000s of recorded studies across various applications and test subjects.

Creatine is frequently mistaken as a steroid, and most people falsely assert that it is only for professional athletes and bodybuilders and is harmful to women and adolescents.

Sure, Creatine boosts muscle energy and allows you to complete a few more reps in a set, but it’s far from an anabolic steroid.

Moreover, it lacks the steroid backbone.

It isn’t scientifically defined, isn’t banned, and has far less of an impact on hormones than “steroid” chemicals do.

Why is Creatine not considered a steroid?

Creatine isn’t and doesn’t look like a steroid since its chemical structure is fundamentally different from one.

Creatine formula

As discussed above, Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid in the human body, whereas steroids are synthetic testosterone analogs.

It has nothing to do with anabolic steroids, which are drugs that mimic or copy testosterone in order to increase muscle mass and performance. Muscles get an extra burst of energy from Creatine, which aids in their production.

Creatine and steroids have comparable effects, although the parallels are limited.

Anabolic steroid side effects are significantly more damaging than their amino acid counterparts.

Some of the differences that prove that Creatine isn’t a steroid include:

  • Creatine works by increasing ATP, or energy, in your muscles, whereas steroids operate by increasing testosterone, the male sex hormone
  • Creatine is also safe for women to consume, while women who use anabolic steroids are prone to develop masculine characteristics
  • Steroids can also have terrible adverse effects; however, with rare exceptions, Creatine’s side effects are typically mild
  • Creatine is one of the market’s most researched and reviewed supplements, so you may take it confidently. Steroids, on the other hand, are harmful and illegal for virtually everyone who uses them

Is Creatine safe?

With so many misinterpretations about Creatine being a steroid, you may feel skeptical about its safety. But to tell you the truth, Creatine is completely safe.

You may ask how. Well, let me explain.

Creatine is simply amino acids, which are significantly distinct from synthetic testosterone and steroids.

Amino acids aren’t always beneficial, but they’re rarely, if ever, as harmful as steroids. There is no evidence that people who use large amounts of Creatine for up to 5 years have any significant adverse side effects.

In fact, long-term creatine supplementation has been demonstrated to have beneficial health advantages for athletes.

While Creatine is typically safe, you can’t always be certain because it’s difficult to know if you’re getting a perfectly clean supplement or not.

So, in the next section, we’ll discuss the common potential side effects you may encounter while using Creatine.

But keep in mind that they are minor, and none of that is a “steroidal side effect,” as presumed.

Common Creatine Side Effects

Creatine is a generally safe supplement, although the following side effects may occur if you take more than recommended or mistakenly get your hands on the wrong product:

  • Digestive problems

Creatine may cause some consumers digestive issues like stomach pain, bloating, constipation, and intestinal issues, just as with numerous other supplements and drugs; excessive doses may cause stomach problems.

In addition, it is possible that additives and chemicals produced during the industrial manufacture of Creatine could cause problems.

However, stomach issues can easily be avoided if we purchase Creatine from trusted sources and use it in recommended dosage.

  • Weight gain

Creatine may cause weight gain in some people depending on their body type and workout type.

This is because the supplement promotes increased liquid retention; it generates a little fiber and muscle mass increase, resulting in some weight gain. Keep in mind that this weight gain is due to increased water content in your muscles rather than fat accumulation.

So it’s always good to consult your nutritionist or doctor before taking supplements to get personalized advice and a workout plan.

  • Effects on kidneys and liver

In rare cases, Creatine may affect your kidneys and liver.

Creatine can slightly boost creatinine levels in the blood, which are often evaluated to determine renal or liver disease.

However, no research on creatine use in healthy individuals has demonstrated damage to these organs. But it’s prudent to take caution while using Creatine if you have any underlying kidney and liver issues.

  • Cramping and dehydration

The theory that Creatine causes dehydration and cramps is based on the fact that it affects the body’s stored water content by forcing extra water into muscle cells.

However, this change in cellular water content is negligible, and there is no scientific evidence to substantiate claims of dehydration. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to drink water throughout the day, particularly while exercising, and avoid ingesting excessive amounts of caffeine.

These are best practices for ensuring that you remain adequately hydrated and safe from any undesirable side effects.

All-Natural and Safe Creatine Supplement for you

Now that we have covered every crucial aspect of creatine use, we will review a premium creatine supplement that is not only natural but also completely safe to take.

Your hunt for the optimal creatine supplement ends here, as this product is safe and appropriate for achieving your fitness goals.

Crazy Nutrition’s Ultimate CRN-5

CrazyNutrition Creatine

Ultimate CRN-5 is a recently introduced creatine supplement manufactured by Crazy Nutrition as Intensive Creatine Compound.

It is a natural creatine supplement that has been proved to aid muscle building and performance. And contains five creatine formulations as well as vital electrolytes for effective muscle hydration.

Creatine supplements are often used to boost athletic performance, particularly for High-Intensity Exercise, which rapidly increases muscle growth.

Ultimate CRN-5 claims to be the most effective creatine supplement due to its composition. Each ingredient is completely natural and clinically verified for use in any health condition.

First of all, it contains Creatine Monohydrate, which is the most common form of Creatine.

It provides a tremendous boost to the fat-burning process while increasing muscle strength. In addition, it supports long-duration interval training and, according to clinical research, is the safest type of Creatine.

Another form of Creatine is Creatine Hydrochloride. It increases the quantity of creatine phosphate stored in the muscle, which aids in ATP synthesis.

It also decreases lactic acid buildup during exercise, allowing for a speedy recovery and less soreness.

Moreover, other essential ingredients include Creatine Ethyl Ester, Creatine Citrate Pyruvate, Tri-Creatine Malate, Aquamin, Potassium, and Tri-Sodium.

Ultimate CRN-5 comes in two flavors mango and orange. It is available for $ 29.99 through Crazy Nutrition’s official website, with free shipping in many countries.

On their official website, you may also get discounts on 5-week subscriptions.

Pros

  • Quick muscle growth.
  • Fastest recovery.
  • Increased endurance.
  • Delicious flavors.
  • 60 days money-back guarantee.

Cons

  • Only available on their official website.
  • Doesn’t ship worldwide.

FAQS

Is Creatine good for you?

Yes, it is. Creatine is a powerful supplement that is effective and beneficial for performance and health. It may increase cognitive function, protect against some neurological illnesses, enhance physical performance, and promote muscle growth.

Is Creatine safe for teens?

No, Creatine is not safe for adolescents.

The American Academy of Pediatrics explicitly discourages adolescents from using Creatine.

Some studies indicate that it can be harmful to the kidneys. Additionally, this performance-enhancing supplement may cause dehydration, stomach pain, and muscle cramping.

Is Creatine bad for your heart?

Recent research suggests that Creatine may not be safe for individuals with cardiovascular issues. Creatine supplementation has been demonstrated to elevate blood pressure and heart rate, which can be problematic for individuals with existing cardiac problems.

How much Creatine is safe for kidneys?

Creatine supplementation may increase creatinine levels, although long and short-term studies have shown that Creatine doses of 10g per day do not damage kidney health in individuals with healthy kidneys.

Conclusion

To conclude, we would like to emphasize that Creatine is not a steroid. Their effects may sometimes feel the same, but their chemical make-up is very different, and they have nothing in common.

Creatine is a safe supplement for muscle building and recovery with extremely rare side effects, unlike steroids which can be detrimental to health if taken regularly.

However, we recommend you talk to your health care provider before taking any supplement to avoid any unpleasant consequences.

Important Disclaimer: The information contained on MAX HEALTH LIVING is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Any statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA and any information or products discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease or illness. Please consult a healthcare practitioner before making changes to your diet or taking supplements that may interfere with medications.

Who We Are

We are a team of fitness, health, and supplement experts, and content creators. Over the past 4 years, we have spent over 123,000 hours researching food supplements, meal shakes, weight loss, and healthy living. Our aim is to educate people about their effects, benefits, and how to achieve a maximum healthy lifestyle. Read more.