|
To whom it may concern: There has recently been a rash
of misinformation that has been spread around the world that
has arisen from a statement made by a Mr. ? Dr. ? Martin Husch
for the French Agency of Medical Security for Food (AFSSA), claiming
a link between creatine monohydrate supplementation and cancer.
This is not supported by the literature and it is unfortunate
that medical misinformation can be spread throughout the world
so rapidly. This agency claims to have reviewed the literature
using nutritional experts (yet does not list them so we can judge
their credentials), and the author has not published a single
paper in a peer reviewed journal (at least none that have appeared
in PubMed). I found the statement to be somewhat accurate in
several areas (with the exception that it states that creatine
increases muscle cell water (10 %) - this is high and it is more
likely 3 - 4 %)). The MAJOR problems come when they/?he tries
to make a comment about the potential side effects: 1. approximate translation of the AFSSA statement on cancer "considering that creatine and creatinine under certain circumstances, particularly in the presence of simple sugars and elevated amino acids, could have carcinogenic effects based on preliminary experimental arguments in vitro and in vivo have been equivocal". [I am not aware of any studies showing that creatine taken with sugar and amino acids is carcinogenic - especially when taken in physiological amounts - any compound, even amino acids may be carcinogenic in high doses (see MSDS label on leucine!)]. The real issue comes with the statement that "with the potentially carcinogenic effects..." - this is unfounded and certainly the jump to stating that epidemiological studies have shown a link is complete fabrication and misinformation. This sort of misinformation is as bad as the health care fraud that some folks claim regarding unproven agents. I do agree that we need to concern ourselves about impurities in creatine and any unregulated substances (ie. Problems previously with tryptophan and eosinophilic myositis) and I am all for creatine and other nutraceuticals being exposed to rigorous purity testing by federal agencies - I do know that most of the creatine for the neurology studies is exposed to careful testing for impurities and other chemical standards - Many of the large reputable companies in the US and Canada buy their creatine from high quality sources.
In the final summary they state that supplementation with creatine constitutes a risk, but it has been insufficiently evaluated, particularly in the long-term. With the potentially carcinogenic effects, it would be necessary for the regular reevaluation of studies. I am shocked that this amount of misinformation can be placed on the internet by such and agency claiming legitimacy and trying to advocate for the good of people. This type of speculative misinformation does not serve the interests of anyone. Our group and others are carefully evaluating the risks and benefits of creatine monohydrate ingestion in patients with neuromuscular and neurometabolic disorders as well as in human aging Patients reading this stuff in the papers have already called to drop out of studies. Creatine may be very helpful in a number of medical conditions and thanks to this inaccurate statement we will all have difficulty in recruiting and retaining subjects. Unfortunately, it is very difficult for the lay public to evaluate the quality of the information and the AFSSA statement violates many of the key factors to look for in judging legitimacy: 1. The person signing their
name to the statement does not list their credentials. THERE ARE NO STUDIES IN HUMANS EVEN SUGGESTING AN INCREASED RISK OF CANCER WITH CREATINE. There are many papers showing
an anti-cancer effect of creatine analogues in animals: Kristensen CA, Askenasy N,
Jain RK, Koretsky AP. Creatine and cyclocreatine Schiffenbauer YS, Meir G, Cohn
M, Neeman M. Cyclocreatine transport and Ara G, Gravelin LM, Kaddurah-Daouk
R, Teicher BA Miller EE, Evans AE, Cohn M.
Inhibition of rate of tumor growth by creatine
There are several reviews
of creatine so people can get their facts straight: Tarnopolsky MA Potential benefits
of creatine monohydrate supplementation in the elderly. Terjung RL, Clarkson P, Eichner
ER, Greenhaff PL, Hespel PJ, Israel RG, Kraemer Wyss M, Kaddurah-Daouk R. Creatine
and creatinine metabolism. Physiol Rev 2000 Jul;80(3):1107-213 Mihic S, MacDonald JR, McKenzie S, Tarnopolsky MA. Acute creatine loading increases fat-free mass, but does not affect blood pressure, plasma creatinine, or CK activity in men and women. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000 Feb;32(2):291-6. Terjung RL, Clarkson P, Eichner
ER, Greenhaff PL, Hespel PJ, Israel RG, Kraemer I would hope that Reuters,
ESPN, National Post, Associated Press, etc. would get their facts
straight before they put out misinformation. I know that a flashy
inflammatory and inaccurate statement is better for press, but
please think of the patients who are involved in the studies
and those who may stand to benefit from carefully controlled
evaluation of the risks and benefits of creatine supplementation.
Yes, there may be some side effects, but please, let the researchers
evaluate what these are and the incidence so that people can
evaluate the risks and benefits of supplementation in an unbiased
manner.
|