The Root Cause Medicine Podcast Is Creatine Safe for Kids? What Parents and Practitioners Should Know
Feb 12, 2026
Jeff Gladd, MD, an integrative physician and Fullscript CMO who turns nutrition research into practical clinical guidance. He discusses how creatine works in growing bodies. They cover who might benefit, links to lean mass and bone health, safety data in healthy youth, monitoring for kidney concerns, and tips for choosing high-quality creatine products.
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Regulation Fears Drive Concern More Than Physiology
- Concern around youth creatine use stems from sales restrictions and 'gateway' fears, not physiology.
- Creatine is a naturally produced molecule, not an exotic performance drug.
Daily Creatine Production And Dietary Gaps
- The body makes 1–2 g of creatine daily and relies on meat and fish to meet the rest of needs.
- Supplemental creatine helps when dietary intake or synthesis doesn't match growth and activity demands.
Consider Supplementation For Low-Meat Diets
- Consider creatine for vegetarians or picky eaters who likely consume little dietary creatine.
- Evaluate protein quality and digestive capacity when assessing need.