Teen creatine trend: Orlando doctor explains potential effects, safety advice
A new study reveals that nearly one in six teenage boys are using creatine supplements, raising questions about its safety and the influence of social media on fitness trends
WELCOME BACK. A NEW STUDY FOUND NEARLY 1 IN 6 TEENAGE BOYS ARE TAKING A POPULAR SUPPLEMENT MORE NOW THAN JUST FIVE YEARS AGO. IT’S CALLED CREATINE. A SOCIAL MEDIA AND FITNESS TRENDS. THEY’RE ACTUALLY FUELING ITS POPULARITY. MANY PARENTS MAY BE WONDERING NOW, IS CREATINE ACTUALLY SAFE FOR GROWING BODIES? JOINING ME HERE LIVE THIS MORNING IN THE STUDIO TO REALLY SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION IS ORLANDO HEALTH PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE DOCTOR JENNA WHEELER. JENNA, THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR HAVING ME. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT CREATINE DON’T REALLY KNOW THE EFFECTS OF IT. SO WHAT DOES IT ACTUALLY DO? WHAT IS CREATINE? CREATINE IS ACTUALLY A SUBSTANCE THAT’S IN YOUR BODY. IT COMES FROM AMINO ACIDS. AND IT’S MEANT TO BOOST ENERGY. OUR BODY USES IT. OUR BRAIN, OUR HEART, OUR MUSCLES ALL USE IT AS A SOURCE OF ENERGY. SO IS CREATINE SAFE FOR ADOLESCENTS? IT’S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION. YES AND NO. THE YES IS THAT LIKE I SAID, IT’S A NATURALLY OCCURRING SUBSTANCE. SUPERVISION, IF YOU DON’T HAVE KIND OF A REASONS NOT TO TAKE IT, IT CAN BE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE BENEFICIAL. IF YOU’RE AN ATHLETE, IF YOU’RE TRYING TO GET IN SHAPE. BUT THERE ARE CERTAINLY SOME RISKS THAT WE HAVE, ESPECIALLY WITH DOSING, WITH LONG TERM USE THAT WE DON’T QUITE KNOW ABOUT WITH OUR TEENAGERS. AND WHEN WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THOSE LONG TERM EFFECTS, WHAT ARE WE MOSTLY TALKING ABOUT? IS IT LIVER? WHAT IT’S DOING TO YOUR LIVER OR LIVER AND KIDNEYS? OKAY. CREATINE. WE USE THAT LAB ACTUALLY TO LOOK AT KIDNEY FUNCTION OVER TIME. AND SO SOMETIMES IF YOU’RE TAKING A LOT OF CREATINE, YOU CAN MASK SOME OF THE EARLY SIGNS THAT SOMEONE, YOUR DOCTORS MIGHT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT AND SAY, HEY, MAYBE THEIR KIDNEYS ARE STARTING TO HAVE ISSUES, RIGHT? SO PEOPLE WHO HAVE KIDNEY ISSUES, A FAMILY HISTORY OF KIDNEY ISSUES DOESN’T MEAN AS A TEENAGER YOU CAN’T TAKE IT. BUT DEFINITELY YOU SHOULD BE TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR, EVEN COACHES, MAKING SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTES IT. MAKE SURE YOU’RE NOT TAKING TOO MUCH OF IT. TOO MUCH OF ANYTHING IS NOT GOOD, RIGHT? ALMOST LIKE TAKE IT IN CYCLES, RIGHT? SO DO IT FOR A MONTH AND THEN BE OFF FOR A MONTH AND GO BACK ON IT. YOU CAN TAKE IT IN CYCLES AND THEN JUST PAYING ATTENTION TO HOW MANY GRAMS YOU HAVE. YOUR BODY ONLY USES SO MUCH. AND IF YOU’RE TAKING, YOU KNOW, EXTRA AND EXTRA, YOUR KIDNEYS, YOUR LIVER, YOUR ORGANS ARE HAVING TO TRY TO PROCESS THAT, WHICH CAN BE DAMAGING. BUT IF YOU TAKE IT PROPERLY, YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THOSE GOOD EFFECTS WITH YOUR ATHLETICS AND WITH YOUR PERFORMANCE. WHY DO YOU THINK MORE TEENS ARE TAKING THIS SUPPLEMENT? YOU KNOW, I THINK A LOT OF THE REASON IS THERE’S MORE SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION OUT THERE. IT’S CONSIDERED TO BE HEALTHIER. IT’S SOMETHING THAT YOUR BODY MAKES NATURALLY. SO IT’S TAKING US AWAY FROM SOME OF THE MORE CHEMICAL BASED THINGS THAT WE KNOW ARE DANGEROUS FROM YEARS PAST. AND SO I THINK THERE’S JUST MORE INFORMATION OUT THERE AND IT’S EASY TO GET. YOU DON’T NEED A PRESCRIPTION. YOU KNOW, KIDS CAN GET IT ONLINE. THEY CAN GET IT IN, YOU KNOW, JUST REGULAR STORES. AND SO I THINK THAT ALSO, WHILE IT’S MORE ACCESSIBLE, PARENTS NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEIR KIDS ARE PUTTING IN THEIR BODY AND MAKING SURE THAT THEIR CHILDREN AREN’T ONE OF THOSE AT RISK KIDS, THAT THEY NEED THEIR DOCTOR’S INVOLVEMENT. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BRIEFLY, BUT WHICH TEENS, IF ANY, SHOULD REALLY AVOID CREATINE? SO IF THEY HAVE THEIR OWN KIDNEY PROBLEMS, IF THERE’S A STRONG FAMILY HISTORY OF KIDNEY ISSUES, IF THEY HAVE DIABETES OR IF THEY’RE PRONE TO DEHYDRATION BECAUSE IT CAN, TAKING TOO MUCH CREATINE CAN ACTUALLY INCREASE DEHYDRATION. SO IF YOU’RE DOING A SPORT WHERE DEHYDRATION IS ALREADY A RISK TAKING CREATINE, DOING THAT SPORT CAN PUT YOU AT MORE RISK, WHICH CAN THEN LEAD TO ORGAN DAMAGE AND SUCH. WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU HAVE FOR PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN MAY BE TAKING CREATINE, AND JUST SO THAT THEY CAN BE MORE INFORMED AND AWARE OF WHAT THE SUPPLEMENT ACTUALLY IS? THE BIG THING IS JUST MAKING SURE THAT THE COACH KNOWS THAT THEIR CHILD IS ON IT, AND MAKING SURE THAT THEIR PEDIATRICIAN KNOWS AS WELL. IT DOESN’T HAVE A STIGMA. IT’S NOT SOMETHING ILLEGAL OR BAD. SO IT’S SOMETHING IT’S A SO HAVE A VERY OPEN CONVERSATION BECAUSE THEN AS YOUR CHILD’S BODY IS GROWING A
Teen creatine trend: Orlando doctor explains potential effects, safety advice
A new study reveals that nearly one in six teenage boys are using creatine supplements, raising questions about its safety and the influence of social media on fitness trends
Updated: 9:33 AM EDT Jul 6, 2026
A May 2026 study has found that nearly one in six teenage boys is taking creatine, a popular supplement, with usage increasing compared to five years ago. The supplement, known as creatine, has gained popularity as social media and fitness trends continue to grow. Dr. Jenna Wheeler, a pediatric critical care medicine specialist at Orlando Health, joined WESH 2 to explain what creatine is and its safety for adolescents. Wheeler also highlighted which teens should avoid creatine. For parents considering whether to allow their child to take creatine, Wheeler advised that parents consult with their child’s doctor to ensure it’s appropriate and safe. They should also educate themselves about proper dosages and potential side effects.Click here to learn more about Orlando Health.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
A May 2026 study has found that nearly one in six teenage boys is taking creatine, a popular supplement, with usage increasing compared to five years ago.
The supplement, known as creatine, has gained popularity as social media and fitness trends continue to grow.
Dr. Jenna Wheeler, a pediatric critical care medicine specialist at Orlando Health, joined WESH 2 to explain what creatine is and its safety for adolescents.
Wheeler also highlighted which teens should avoid creatine.
For parents considering whether to allow their child to take creatine, Wheeler advised that parents consult with their child’s doctor to ensure it’s appropriate and safe.
They should also educate themselves about proper dosages and potential side effects.
Click here to learn more about Orlando Health.