Pumping Up With Protein?

Q: I'm an amateur body. builder and have heard that protein powders containing creatine can enhance muscle mass. Are these powders safe and effective?

A: Creatine has been around since 1920, but nothing has captured the imagination of exercise enthusiasts in recent years as much as this substance. It's found in meat and fish, and your liver and kidneys produce it as well. In your own body, almost all of it winds up in your muscles.

Protein powders, especially those containing creatine, may be helpful for building muscle mass, although they don't increase endurance. In fact, creatine supplements may actually weaken marathon runners performance. Moreover, no long term studies have been done on this supplement, and there is potential for harm. I just began treating a bodybuilder who suffered kidney damage shortly after starting both creatine and a drug to reduce his blood pressure. This is an unusual occurrence, but it's so potentially devastating that I urge users of these supplements to be cautious, especially anybody with health problems. Go easy on the protein powders until we know more about them.