Is Creatine a Steroid

Although creatine offers an array of benefits, there are still some people who consider it a steroid.  In fact, after doing some research, is creatine a steroid is a well searched subject.  Let's find out simply what creatine is and how it compares to a steroid so we can put this to rest with fact.

In writing this article, I'm going to refer to the Creatine FAQ which is on this site.

What is creatine?

Creatine is formed in the human body from the amino acids methionine, glycine and arginine. The average person's body contains approximately 120 grams of creatine stored as creatine phosphate. Certain foods such as beef, herring and salmon, are fairly high in creatine. However, a person would have to eat pounds of these foods daily to equal what can be obtained in one teaspoon of powdered creatine.

What is a steroid?
(courtesy of NIDA)

Anabolic steroids" is the familiar name for synthetic substances related to the male sex hormones (androgens). They promote the growth of skeletal muscle (anabolic effects) and the development of male sexual characteristics (androgenic effects), and also have some other effects. The term "anabolic steroids" will be used through-out this report because of its familiarity, although the proper term for these compounds is "anabolic-androgenic" steroids.

Hopefully the very first thing you will see in this debate is that creatine is made up of amino acids and is formed naturally by the body while steroids are synthetic substances.  That should be the very first clue to the question:

Is creatine a steroid?

No.  Creatine is not a steroid.

Creatine is a naturally occurring substance in your body as well as in certain foods.  It helps with energy and promoting better workouts to aid in overall muscle growth and if you have read the Creatine: What is it? or the Creatine FAQ, you will know that it does not build muscle itself.

However, steroids are not naturally occurring.

Simply put, creatine is not a steroid.  It's not in the same category.  It's not in the same family.  I would say it's like comparing apples to oranges but I feel in this case, it's more along the lines of comparing carrots to pineapples.

Please read more about creatine and what it is physically before believing that it is some form of steroid substance.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The properties of the chemical makeup are nothing similar nor are the effects or the potential risks.

Marc David is a certified fitness enthusiast, natural bodybuilder and author of the, "Beginner's Guide to Fitness and Bodybuilding.". You can get info on Marc's e-book at: http://www.Beginning-Bodybuilding.com. To get Marc's free monthly e-zine, visit http://www.justaskmarc.com.