Creatine has become popular as a performance-enhancing supplement for many athletes because it is believed to enhance muscle mass as well as provide athletes with bursts of strength. One of the reasons for its popularity is that it is available without the need for a doctor's prescription.
Creatine is readily accessible at health and nutrition stores, drug stores, supermarkets, and the Internet. The supplement is available in a variety of forms including, powders, drink mixes, and energy bars.
What is Creatine?
While creatine is a natural substance, there has not been a lot of research done on the supplement. The long term effects that creatine may have on the human body are still not known. However, there is evidence that short term use for high-intensity resistance training is safe.
Creatine is an amino acid that is found naturally in your body's muscles, as well as in the brain. While creatine is synthetically manufactured, it is also found naturally in seafood and red meat. In humans, creatine is made in the liver, pancreas, and kidneys.
Creatine is converted to phosphocreatine in the body and stored in the muscles and used for energy. For this reason, people take creatine as a supplement to increase muscle mass, improve athletic performance, and help the muscles recover more quickly after exercise.
While some studies have found that creatine helps during short periods of activity, there is no evidence that it will help with endurance sports. Research also shows that not everyone responds to creatine the same way and that some people see no benefit.
Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss?
There is evidence showing that creatine will raise levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. Studies have shown a link between high levels of DHT and hair loss characterized by a receding hairline. While there has been little research on the supplement creatine, DHT has been shown to cause hair loss by blocking nutrients from reaching the hair follicles.
While this may be cause for concern, it is essential to note that high levels of DHT seem to affect only men with Androgenetic Alopecia or male pattern baldness. Since male pattern baldness is a genetic disease, it only occurs in men who have inherited the gene from their parents. For men that are genetically predisposed to hair loss and male pattern baldness, an increase in DHT can hasten the process of hair loss. While there is evidence that DHT can accelerate hair loss in men with male pattern baldness, the effects of the supplement creatine on hair loss are still unknown.
For men that have, or are predisposed to male pattern baldness, the risk of accelerating hair loss is small but is directly related to the amount of creatine supplement consumed. When taken in small doses for short periods, it is unlikely that you will notice any adverse side effects. It is only extended use of the amino acid that has been shown to have an impact on the body and its ability to produce hair. Like any supplement, care should be taken not to take excessive amounts of creatine or continue use for long periods. In large amounts, creatine may accelerate hair loss by affecting the body's ability to grow and replace hair.
Contact New Image Hair Clinic
There is limited research on the long term use of creatine as a supplement. If you are predisposed to male pattern baldness, the supplement may slightly increase your hair loss. There is no evidence to show that creatine will directly increase hair loss, but there is evidence showing that it increases the hormone DHT, which can accelerate hair loss.
The hair loss specialists at New Image Hair Clinic are committed to providing our clients with proven and effective treatments to deal with hair loss, such as our Hair Loss Prevention Program which can help you to limit future hair loss. We also offer custom wigs, laser hair treatment, and a variety of solutions customized to meet your needs and desires.
If you are experiencing hair loss, whether from a genetic predisposition, creatine use, or any other reason, Contact New Image Hair Clinic today for a free evaluation.