Two doctors have busted some myths about a supplement that many people seem to be anxious around.
When it comes to weight loss, weight gain, building strength and muscle there is a lot of rumors that continue to circulate.
But YouTube channel Talking With Docs has broken down some of the misconceptions about supplements.
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Dr Paul Zalzal and Dr Brad Weening, who are both orthopedic surgeons members of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, warned viewers against taking steroids and insisted this supplement is a completely different compound.
They both explained the benefits of creatine and dismissed some of the myths that have long surrounded it.
The medics started by saying it is an ‘organic compound that you usually get from meat or supplements’.
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Dr Zalzal said: “It is not an anabolic steroid, it is a completely different compound.
“Anabolic steroids are like synthetic versions of steroids, creatine is not that.”
Dr Weening added: “Don’t take steroids, first message. All the people trying to get stronger, bigger faster, don’t take steroids, they are so dangerous for you.”
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Speaking on the myth about kidney damage, Dr Weening continued: “It does not cause kidney damage.
“This all started from a case study in 1998 when there was a young man who took a whole bunch of creatine, very large doses for a long period of time, he had other medical conditions, he ended up having kidney failure and it propagated this myth that creatine is dangerous.
“Other studies have gone on to show that it is not dangerous.”
And on baldness, the pair joked that creatine was not the reason they no longer had hair.
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The doctors explained that creatine doesn’t cause baldness, explaining that male pattern baldness is caused by DHT which is a breakdown product of testosterone.
Dr Weening clarified multiple studies have shown that creatine has no effect on this whatsoever.
George Georgallides, the CEO of Basis Health, a Health Market Research Agency, praised the video and shared a snippet on X.
On July 17, he wrote: “The single most powerful (and misunderstood) supplement: Creatine. It's not a steroid and doesn't cause organ damage.
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“A compound so powerful, it's changing how we think about cognitive function.
“So misunderstood that most people still think it's just for bodybuilders.
“So effective that it's supported by over 500 peer-reviewed studies. Yep - it's creatine.”
Gerrard Kaonga