We spent all month covering the ins and outs of hair loss from how it happens, and what is normal. Hair loss occurs from a variety of factors outside of our control like genetics, immune deficiencies, and stress. Research shows that there are certain drugs and treatments that can directly contribute to our hair loss. Creatine is a controversial supplement in the hair community because it has not been scientifically proven to cause hair loss. You’ve probably heard of creatine as it’s a common muscle-building supplement to improve your body composition. Fitness is an important function of our daily lives so we decided to explore if creatine correlates with hair loss.
What is Creatine?
Creatine is a popular supplement amongst athletes and fitness enthusiasts for its ability to improve muscle mass, performance, and recovery. It can be consumed in a powder form as a dietary supplement or through meat and is an amino-acid derivative. Creatine naturally occurs in our body from our kidneys and liver after eating protein. Taking creatine helps elevate your body’s energy levels and build your muscles without bulking up. Many people who consume creatine can have an older age range because it helps to slow age-related muscle loss. Other people take it to help improve neurological functions like memory and related diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
How Creatine Affects Hair
The conversation regarding creatine and hair loss happened when in 2009 scientists monitoring rugby players consuming creatine over a week-long period saw an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a metabolite of testosterone which for males can shrink hair follicles and lead to hair loss, which can also lead to baldness but this has been determined more of a myth than a hard fact. The rugby study showed an increase in testosterone no definitive proof that consuming creatine led to any hair loss or baldness in their subjects. The short-term effects of creatine usually include weight gain since it focuses on targeting muscle growth and helping achieve greater gains.
The Verdict
At this point, creatine is not proven to negatively impact hair health or result in hair loss, but you should always do your research before incorporating any new supplements into your routine. Everybody reacts to supplements and vitamins differently, so if you’re concerned how this could affect your curls or coils, we always recommend seeking out the expertise of a medical professional. You can easily purchase creatine at any vitamin or supplement store in a powder form, energy bar, tablet, or drink mix. Since creatine is a naturally occurring substance that our body already produces, some dieticians recommend that it’s best for vegetarians who don’t consume creatine as part of their regular diet.
What are your thoughts on creatine? Have you ever taken it and seen a change in your curls? If you’re experiencing hair loss, read our latest article on Why is Hair Loss More Common for Women with Curly Hair?
