Nobody Told You This About Creatine

You might think creatine is a bodybuilder's steroid you have to cycle, load, and fear for your kidneys, but it's a compound your own body already makes from three amino acids, with one of the deepest safety records in all of nutrition science. The problem isn't the creatine; it's the noise around it.In this solo episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon discusses:Why the bump creatine causes in your creatinine lab value is a metabolic artifact, not a sign of kidney damage in healthy peopleWhere the hair-loss fear came from. A single unreplicated study in one rugby player showing a 56% DHT rise, and why no research has ever directly linked creatine to hair lossHow men and women respond differently (roughly 1.5 kg of lean mass in men vs. about a third of a kilogram in women), and why women still gain real strength, grip, cognition, and recoveryWhy you can't realistically eat your way to 5 grams a day: it would take 2.5 to 3 pounds of cooked meat and fish daily, so a single scoop closes the gapThe protocol: 3–5 grams of plain monohydrate every day, no loading phase, no cycling, timing barely mattersMuscle is your organ of longevity, the tissue that clears most of the glucose in your bloodstream and defends your metabolism as you age. Creatine won't build it for you, but it raises the ceiling on the work you can do, so the training that protects that muscle pays off more. Understanding what's real and what's fearmongering is the difference between avoiding a proven tool and using it well.Studies & ReferencesPubMed study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1327657/Sports Nutrition Society: https://www.sportsnutritionsociety.org/Thank you to our sponsors:Egg life - CTA - Find egglife wraps chillin’ in the fridge at Aldi, Whole Foods, Kroger, Target, Walmart & more - Visit https://bit.ly/3UghRHV to find a retailer near youBodyHealth - Use the code LYON20 to get 20% off your first order https://bit.ly/4gP6VtpOneSkin - Get 15% off at https://bit.ly/4xpFWuE with code DRLYONDavid Bars - Subscribe and save 10% on every order’ at https://bit.ly/4zAflMBExplore More from Dr. Gabrielle LyonPremium Podcast Subscription: Ad-free episodes, key takeaway summaries, exclusive Q&A, and behind-the-scenes content https://foreverstrong.supercast.comWeekly newsletter: Recipes, podcast updates, and practical weekly insights https://drgabriellelyon.com/sign-up/Apply to become a patient: Personalized care with Dr. Lyon’s clinical team https://drgabriellelyon.com/new-patient-inquiry/Connect with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgabriellelyon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drgabriellelyonX (Twitter): https://x.com/drgabriellelyonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorgabriellelyonChapters00:00 - Introduction02:47 - What Creatine Is and Isn't03:24 - The Phosphocreatine Energy System04:22 - Lean Mass: Water and Training Capacity05:08 - Men vs Women Respond Differently06:29 - Vegans, Older Adults, and Sarcopenia07:11 - Creatine and the Brain08:53 - The Real Safety Profile09:31 - The Kidney and Creatinine Myth09:57 - The 56% DHT Hair Loss Claim10:37 - Contraindications and Screening12:19 - Why You Can't Eat Enough Creatine14:26 - Muscle-Centric Medicine16:44 - How to Dose It CorrectlyIf you found this episod