BULKING UP FOR BETTER OR WORSE

Hundreds of local high school athletes, inspired by the dramatic
results their peers and sports heroes have achieved, are using the
nutritional supplement creatine to improve in the weight room and on
the playing field.

But neither physicians nor coaches know whether teenagers will suffer
harmful effects later in life from taking creatine today.

``It is a free-for-all with the supplements,'' said Helen DeMarco, a
registered dietitian who lectures at San Jose State and counsels
Stanford athletes. ``And we are a science-fair project for them.''

The lab is chaotic. In the absence of carefully controlled clinical
trials, doctors rely on each other for guidelines. The Internet is
loaded with Web sites that sell creatine, touting it as safe and
effective. Many coaches admit ignorance, waiting for better evidence.
Some coaches say that, used properly, creatine is fine. The state high
school board discourages it. All the athletes know is that it's a
legal, over-the-counter product that usually works.

Creatine, a crystalline substance that is produced naturally by the
body, helps provide energy for muscle contraction. Proponents of
creatine say it allows athletes to work out longer and harder, recover
faster and gain weight. Teenagers who take it -- largely boys in
sports that put a premium on strength -- often see dramatic changes,
some gaining as much as 30 pounds in a few months while increasing
strength.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry