Is Creatine a Steroid? Facts and Myths

Scrolling through the fitness feed, you get flooded with images of chiselled physiques and bold claims—‘best workout supplements for powered performance’. In the world of fitness-conscious individuals, creatine is capturing the attention of athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and dieticians alike. For many, that extra edge comes in the form of creatine. Known for its ability to unlock new levels of strength, power, and muscle development, it is the most lauded and trusted compound in the world of athletics. Despite its growing body of scientific research, proving its benefits for strength, power, and muscle growth, creatine is mistakenly confused with far more controversial substances like steroids.

This type of misinformation affects decision-making and fuels unnecessary anxiety. So, is creatine a steroid? Let us understand the facts and fiction and discover the real contribution of this celebrated fitness supplement.

Understanding Of Creatine

Creatine, also a naturally occurring substance in the body, gets stored in muscles and is used when you are training hard or during high-intensity exercises. In the muscle cells, creatine is converted into phosphocreatine, which serves as a rapidly mobilisable reserve of high-energy phosphates. During short bursts of high-intensity activity, the body quickly depletes its ATP stores. Phosphocreatine steps in to donate a phosphate group to ADP (adenosine diphosphate), thereby converting it back into ATP, which allows for continued energy production and improved performance. This is how creatine helps replenish energy quickly in our cells. 

The increased availability of phosphocreatine enables you to push your limits and achieve enhanced performance in activities that require explosive power.

What are Steroids?

Steroids, particularly anabolic steroids, boost the effects of the male hormone testosterone. These are prescription-only medicines that are sometimes taken without medical advice to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance. These can lead to side effects and addiction. 

Used as performance-enhancing drugs, steroids can increase muscle mass and decrease fat only when taken in regulated amounts under strict supervision. However, people of all ages have been known to misuse these drugs, including adolescent boys who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder.

This is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance. They think they are not big enough or physically appealing enough. But this isn't right: taking anabolic steroids is a dangerous drug habit

Can Creatine Be Called a Natural Steroid?

Here comes the biggest misconception out there: Is creatine monohydrate a natural steroid? No! Creatine and steroids are fundamentally different for the following reasons:

1. Chemical structure:
   

   Creatine is a nitrogenous compound, derived from three amino acids: arginine, glycine, and methionine. However, steroids (anabolic steroids) are a synthetic copy of the natural male sex hormone, testosterone. They have a distinct chemical structure based on a four-ring carbon skeleton.

2. How do they work?:
   

   Creatine gets synthesised to increase the availability of phosphocreatine in muscle cells. This pCr helps regenerate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency for short, high-intensity activities such as weightlifting or sprinting. It helps you perform extra, and hence enhances training potential over time.

   Whereas anabolic steroids are a shortcut. They mimic the effect of testosterone inside the body, leading to increased protein synthesis and muscle growth. This happens so rapidly that it is unachievable with creatine. They disrupt the hormonal balance throughout the body.

3. Synthesis inside the body:
   

   Creatine is naturally found in foods like red meat and fish, and can be synthesised in the liver. It is a completely natural compound, just like any other vital nutrient, that is important for energy production in muscle cells. However, steroids are performance-enhancing drugs that replicate the naturally occurring hormones inside the body. They are artificially injected or taken as a pill.

4. Legal restrictions:
   

   Creatine is a legal dietary supplement that is allowed and recommended by all the major sports organisations and diet experts. It is not a controlled substance, unlike anabolic steroids, which are illegal and banned in many countries due to their significant health risks and potential for abuse.
   
   

Although both creatine and anabolic steroids can lead to increased muscle mass and strength, their way of working inside the body and their overall effects on the body are totally different. This debunks the myth-” Is creatine a natural steroid?”

Why Does Creatine Get Lumped In with Steroids?

While the physiological and performance outcomes of anabolic steroids and creatine can be similar, their mechanisms of action and legal categorisation are not. Anabolic steroids are drugs with a different chemical structure from creatine. Here are the reasons why creatine is confused with a steroid-

1. Both enhance muscle strength, power, and size, resulting in improved athletic performance.

2. Both creatine and steroids are used by individuals in the bodybuilding industry to enhance muscle growth and athletic performance.

3. Both may have a “bulking" effect, especially during a loading phase. This is often misinterpreted. Creatine’s loading phase leads to increased water retention in the muscles, leading to a temporary gain in muscle mass. While in the case of steroids, it happens due to widespread fluid retention and tissue growth.

However, creatine monohydrate is safe and is recommended by renowned dieticians and fitness experts. No expert will ever recommend taking steroids regularly for bodybuilding unless there is a special case.  

 Key Differences Between Creatine and Steroids

 Myths vs. Facts: About Creatine and Steroids

Is Creatine Safe for Everyone?

Yes. Concerns regarding the safety of creatine supplementation in children and adolescents (< 19 yrs) continue to be highly prevalent. But, the overwhelming abundance of evidence in adult populations indicates that creatine supplementation, both short- and longer-term, is safe and generally well tolerated. 

However, in the case of children and people with pre-existing medical conditions, it is recommended to consult your healthcare professional before starting creatine supplementation.

Conclusion

Creatine is a safe and effective supplement that contributes greatly to enhancing athletic performance and supporting muscle growth. Unlike anabolic steroids, creatine monohydrate does not alter hormone levels or pose health risks when used responsibly. Now, we hope you have understood that creatine is not a steroid; these two are very different in many aspects.

However, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional or a nutrition expert before starting any new supplement regimen. This ensures that your approach aligns with your personal health needs and fitness goals. Staying wellversed in the differences between supplements and steroids helps you make smarter and safer choices for your body.

Frequently Asked Questions