Creatine monohydrate supplementation on body weight and percent body fat.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Double-blind controlled trial
PubMed 14636103 · doi:10.1519/1533-4287(2003)017<0817:cmsobw>2.0.co;2
What was done
Seventeen active males (mean age 22.9 ± 4.9 years) were paired and assigned to receive either creatine monohydrate or placebo in a double-blind design lasting 4 weeks. Supplementation was dosed at 30 g/day for the initial 2 weeks and 15 g/day for the final 2 weeks. Participants completed supervised lower-extremity strength training 2 days per week. Outcomes measured pre- and post-intervention were total body weight, percent body fat (hydrostatic weighing), body water content (bioelectrical impedance), and caloric intake (daily food logs).
What was found
The creatine group experienced statistically significant increases in total body weight from 90.42 ± 14.74 to 92.12 ± 15.19 kg and body water content from 53.77 ± 1.75 to 57.15 ± 2.01 L (p = 0.05). No significant changes occurred in percent body fat or daily caloric intake in the creatine group. The placebo group showed no significant changes in any measured outcome.
Why it matters
This study demonstrates that the acute weight gain observed with high-dose creatine supplementation is primarily attributable to water retention rather than changes in fat mass or caloric intake.
Limits
The sample size was very small (17 subjects total across two groups), and the cohort was limited exclusively to young, active males. The study duration was short (4 weeks), and training was restricted to the lower body. Specific numerical values for percent body fat and caloric intake were not reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Creatine supplementation causes individuals to gain approximately three pounds of body weight in water weight.