Taking creatine supplements the right way is probably safe and might help older people and kids stay healthy, without hurting their liver, kidneys, or metabolism, based on studies done so far.

Taking creatine supplements might cause some unwanted side effects or might not even be made properly, so what’s in the bottle isn’t always what it claims to be.

Taking creatine monohydrate every day for up to five years, even at high doses, doesn’t seem to harm your kidneys, liver, or blood in healthy people or those with brain-related diseases like Parkinson’s or ALS.

Taking creatine supplements at the normal dose won’t hurt your kidneys if you’re healthy — lots of studies over many years have shown no consistent sign of kidney problems.

People have tried giving creatine, a supplement often used by athletes, to patients with several serious muscle and brain diseases, and some studies say it helped them feel better.

Taking creatine supplements along with weight training can help older adults build more muscle and get stronger, which might help them stay more active and independent as they age.