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updates | June 22, 2026

Can a 17 year old take creatine?

Metzl, MD, tells WebMD that the American College of Sports Medicine has recommended that people 18 and younger should not use creatine.

How much creatine should a 17 year old boy take?

A loading dose of 0.3 grams per kilogram of body weight per day for 5 -7 days is commonly used when starting creatine supplementation. Following the loading phase, the daily dose to maintain elevated creatine stores is 0.03 grams of creatine per kilogram of bodyweight.

Is creatine safe for under 18?

The American Academy of Pediatrics specifically recommends against its use by adolescents, and most of the flavored powders, tablets, energy bars and drink mixes containing creatine bear warning labels that the supplement is not recommended for anyone under 18.

Is creatine safe for teenager?

Creatine is a trendy supplement used in training and athletics today. It is very safe to take as an adult. However, the American Academy of Pediatricians and American College of Sports Medicine say that teen athletes under 18 should not use creatine and other performance-enhancing supplements.

What age can you start taking creatine?

The minimum age for taking creatine supplements is 18. Because so little is known about the long-term effects of creatine, it's not recommended for children and teens under the age of 18. For this group, it's better to improve sports performance through nutrition and athletic training.

43 related questions found

Does creatine shrink your balls?

Unlike the anabolic steroids that mimic the effects of the male sex hormone testosterone, creatine does not cause hair loss or make the testicles shrink.

Can creatine make you taller?

Creatine will not stunt your growth. Quite the opposite, creatine will promote and support growth by helping to strengthen and repair muscles. Creatine is not a drug and is completely legal.

Can a 16 year old take protein powder?

Protein shakes and other dietary supplements have been designed for and tested on adults before hitting the market, so their effects on teens who are still growing and developing are unknown. For that reason, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics does not recommend that any teens take protein supplements.

Can high school athletes take creatine?

By supplementing with creatine monohydrate immediately following training, you're able to support muscle growth and recovery, injury prevention, and overall health. Yes, creatine is safe to consume if you are a teen athlete. Yes, you should use creatine monohydrate.

Can creatine cause hair loss?

Yet creatine remains a perpetual target for rumors and misconceptions. Among the most powerful: That creatine causes hair loss. Research remains ongoing, but “the current body of evidence does not indicate that creatine causes hair loss or baldness,” says Dr. Antonio.

How can a teenager bulk up?

Here are five tips to help your child bulk-up healthfully:

  1. Eat consistently. ...
  2. Eat larger than normal portions. ...
  3. Select higher calorie foods. ...
  4. Drink lots of juice and low-fat milk. ...
  5. Enjoy peanut butter, nuts, avocado, and olive oil. ...
  6. Do strengthening exercise as well as some cardio.

Can beginners use creatine?

Yes, beginners should definitely take creatine. Creatine is the most researched gym supplement that exists. It will safely make you stronger, build muscle and give you more training energy, so long as you are training hard and following a balanced diet.

What happens when you stop taking creatine?

When you stop taking creatine your body can take from a couple of weeks to just over a month to return to its pre-supplementation level. During this time, you may feel changes in performance as your body readjusts, such as a loss in water weight, decline in strength, and increased fatigue.

What is creatine side effects?

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.

Does creatine make you gain weight?

You may also be concerned about non-muscle weight gain, namely fat. But despite a seemingly rapid increase in weight, creatine will not make you fat. You have to consume more calories than you expend to gain fat.

How much creatine should a teenager take a day?

Commonly, a loading dose of 0.3 g/kg of body weight per day for 5–7 days is used as an effective “loading protocol,” with a subsequent daily dose of 0.03 g/kg of body weight (3–5 g/day) required for the maintenance of elevated PCr levels (3, 7, 8).

Can a 17 year old take whey protein?

Whey is a milk derivative that many teenagers love to consume because it helps build muscles. However, whey protein for teenagers has several other benefits, including keeping bones healthy, improving memory, and balancing sugar levels. It is a safe addition to your children's diet.

Is whey protein ok for teenager?

If you give your child whey protein powder, they may have problems digesting it. This could cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, cramps, and diarrhea. Most of these side effects are due to lactose intolerance.

Is it OK for a teenager to drink protein shakes?

Although protein shakes can help teens meet their recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for protein, dietary supplements are generally not recommended for children and teenagers. TeensHealth reports teen athletes may need more protein than non-active teenagers, but most teens get all the protein they need from foods.

Will creatine make my abs go away?

While creatine alone may not result in ripped abs, if you plan on taking it for sports and fitness-related purposes, there are certain protocols to follow. In general, there are two supplementation protocols for maximum creatine absorption.

Does creatine make your face fat?

Muscles collect water from the rest of the body when you consume a creatine supplement. As your muscles swell you may notice bloating or puffiness in various areas of your face caused by this water uptake. You may also gain water weight that appears to be larger muscles.

Can you drink alcohol while creatine?

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.

Is creatine worth using?

Creatine is the most effective supplement for increasing muscle mass and strength ( 1 ). It is a fundamental supplement in the bodybuilding and fitness communities ( 2 ). Research shows supplementing with creatine can double your strength and lean muscle gains when compared to training alone ( 3 ).

What happens if you take creatine and don't workout?

Some people think that if they take creatine and don't work out, they'll put on fat—but Roussell says it isn't true. "Creatine contains no calories, and has no impact on your fat metabolism," he says. "So taking creatine and not working out is just going to lead to nothing."

Can I take creatine forever?

When used orally at appropriate doses, creatine is likely safe to take for up to five years. As with any dietary supplement, it's important to choose a product that follows recommended manufacturing practices and subscribes to third-party testing to ensure the product's quality.