Creatine supplements are increasingly common in Spanish gyms, where athletes use them to build muscle and improve performance. Their use extends beyond professional sports: people with low natural creatine levels, including those following vegetarian or vegan diets, and people recovering from injuries may also benefit. Medical professionals in Spain stress that creatine should be used only under proper supervision.
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound made up of three amino acids and found in the muscles and brain. It can come from foods such as seafood and red meat, although dietary intake is typically much lower than the amounts provided by supplements. The body also produces creatine in the liver, pancreas and kidneys, then stores it in muscles for energy. That energy boost is one reason athletes, including high-profile figures such as Djokovic during the ATP Cincinnati final, rely on creatine to support demanding physical activity.
Creatine is also used outside sports. Information from Clínica Mayo says it is used to treat certain neurological disorders, neuromuscular conditions and heart failure. Some research points to potential benefits in preventing degenerative brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s, but these uses require further study and medical oversight.
Despite its benefits, creatine is not suitable for everyone. Spanish nutritionists, including Pablo Ojeda, describe it as one of the most extensively studied supplements, but emphasize that people should consult a healthcare provider before taking it. The risk of adverse interactions with medications or health conditions is impressive, especially with excessive intake or when creatine is combined with other supplements, such as fat-soluble vitamins.
Creatine is not recommended for people with kidney or liver diseases, says Mónica Herrero, vice president of the Colegio Profesional de Dietistas-Nutricionistas de Aragón. The Science Media Centre España also advises against its use by people whose physical activity does not reach competitive levels, and during pregnancy or breastfeeding, because safety data are insufficient.
In Spain, the Ministry of Health regulates dietary supplements, including creatine. Products must comply with European Union standards, and unauthorized health claims are prohibited. Creatine is legal and widely available in pharmacies and specialized stores, while the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) regularly issues guidance on safe use and potential risks. Consumers are urged to check product labels and consult healthcare professionals before starting a supplement regimen.
Spain’s approach reflects a broader European trend of caution about sports supplements, with an emphasis on balanced nutrition and individualized medical advice. Spanish health authorities’ current consensus is that creatine can be effective for certain groups, but its use must be tailored to individual health profiles and monitored by qualified professionals.
