Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
81 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the health effects on young athletes of the use of creatine and food supplements, due to possible contamination in these substances; the action he intends to take to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18487/04]
View answerCreatine is an amino acid made in the body by the liver and kidneys, and is derived from the diet through meat and animal products. Creatine is categorised as a food supplement in Ireland and in the European Union, and is available over the counter in health food and sports shops. It is also available over the Internet. Studies have shown that creatine can increase the performance of athletes in activities that require quick bursts of energy, such as sprinting, and can help athletes to recover faster after expending bursts of energy. It is also used by people with neuromuscular disorders under medical supervision.
All food supplements, including creatine, must comply with general food labelling regulations which are enforced by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI. I am advised by the FSAI that short-term exercise studies have not reported any adverse effects associated with creatine supplementation. While no long-term studies have been done to evaluate the safety of prolonged administration, a recent report from the French food safety authority said that adverse events involving the digestive, muscular and cardiovascular systems of people taking high dosages of creatine have occurred. It also warned that impurities could exist in creatine that is marketed to consumers. However, no published investigation has been conducted on creatine to determine what impurities might be present in creatine supplements, and what their long-term effect might be. The Department of Health and Children recommends a balanced diet and advises that the health effects of supplementation with high levels of creatine over extended periods have not been investigated. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, the consumption of high doses of creatine over a long period should be avoided.
The European Commission recently published a draft directive on foods intended to meet the expenditure of intense muscular effort, especially for sports people. This draft incorporates the Scientific Committee on Food's, review of the safety aspects of creatine supplementation. The SCF noted that certain intakes of creatine are effective in increasing total muscle and improving performance of short-term, high-intensity exercise. However, high doses of creatine should be avoided. On the basis of this opinion, the draft directive states that it is appropriate that products containing creatine should have detailed instructions for use, including details on intake levels per day.
Officials of my Department and of the FSAI are actively involved in the discussions on this draft directive which will be implemented into Irish law once adopted by the European Commission.
