The belief that creatine causes hair loss stems from a single 2009 study that has never been replicated, and the current body of evidence does not support this claim.

It's more likely that creatine is blamed for hair loss when the actual cause is the resistance exercise people start simultaneously, which raises testosterone levels.

Contrary to old concerns that creatine could increase uric acid and cause gout, it actually appears to do the opposite and decrease uric acid levels.

The most studied and recommended form is creatine monohydrate, taken at a 5-gram daily dose, which avoids the potential stomach upset of a traditional loading phase.

A meta-analysis of ten studies showed that creatine supplementation improves memory performance, with the effect being particularly strong in older adults.

Creatine increases blood creatinine levels, which can make kidney function appear worse on a test, but multiple long-term studies show it does not affect actual kidney function in healthy individuals.