Side Effects of Creatine Ethyl Ester

Since we have already discussed what creatine ethyl ester is, whether or not it really works, and why you should use it, it is time for us to address another popular question: What are the side effects of CEE?

Side Effects of Creatine Monohydrate

Since creatine ethyl ester is essentially a derivative of creatine monohydrate, we will first look at the side effects associated with the monohydrate form. First and foremost, creatine has been shown by numerous studies to be safe for long term use.

The most commonly described side effect of creatine use is the so-called "creatine bloat." This occurs more or less due to the increased water retention in the muscles brought on by creatine use. The bloating accounts for some of the muscle mass gains associated with creatine, but certainly not all. Some people complain of muscles feeling "softer" due to the increased water retention.

Another big concern while using creatine is dehydration and cramping. Because creatine increases the amount of water retained by muscles, it is important to increase your water intake to ensure you are adequately hydrated.

Kidney damage is another concern many people have about long term creatine use. Creatine, along with protein, is processed in the kidneys. However, if you have healthy kidneys, ensuring that you drink adequate amounts of water should prevent any kidney damage.

Side Effects of CEE

Creatine ethyl ester basically has the same side effects associated with creatine monohydrate. However, because creatine ethyl ester generally requires smaller doses, and less of the creatine remains unabsorbed into the body's cells, it is thought that users of CEE may experience less adverse effects than users of creatine monohydrate.