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The Merck Manual--Second Home Edition logo
 
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Chapter 19. Medicinal Herbs and Nutraceuticals
Topics: Introduction | Chamomile | Chromium Picolinate | Cranberry | Creatine | Dehydroepiandrosterone | Echinacea | Feverfew | Garlic | Ginger | Ginkgo | Ginseng | Goldenseal | Licorice | Melatonin | Milk Thistle | Saw Palmetto | St. John's Wort | Valerian
 
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Creatine

Background: Creatine is an amino acid made in the liver and stored in muscles. It is a readily available source of energy in the body. In the diet, creatine is found in milk, red meat, and some fish.

Medicinal Claims: Creatine is used to improve physical or athletic performance and to decrease fatigue. A few studies indicate that creatine can increase the amount of work performed with a short maximal effort (for example, in sprinting). However, a few others indicate no improvement in this type of activity.

Possible Side Effects: Creatine can cause dehydration and may cause kidney dysfunction.

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