The average weight gain in athletes is 5 to 10 pounds. However, not all of the increase is actual muscle. When creatine is taken up into the muscle cell, it brings water with it. This water uptake provides a plausible explanation for the reports of dehydration, heat intolerance and muscle cramps associated with creatine use. It is prudent to pay close attention to hydration and avoid strenuous exercise when taking loading doses.
Medical providers are extremely wary of compounds touted to be muscle-performance enhancers.
We have seen enthusiasm for steroids, testosterone, carnitine, chromium picolinate and even bee pollen. All too often such fads turn out to be pipe dreams or, sadly, actually do physical harm. For information on eligibility for services at the UNM Student Health Center, please see General Information .