by lloyd grove
Is chrome-domed British actor Patrick Stewart trying to bulk up with a designer dietary supplement?
Lowdown hears that the 65-year-old Stewart, best known for "X-Men" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation," has been seeing a personal trainer and consulting his doctor about taking creatine.
That's the flavorless, white-powdered steroid alternative, made synthetically from amino acids, that's supposed to boost energy and build muscle.
But be very careful, Capt. Jean-Luc Picard: Creatine's potential side effects include kidney disorders, muscle tears, dehydration, diarrhea and cramping. Plus, although legal, the supplement remains controversial, as when St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire had to defend his use of it when he shattered Roger Maris' single-season home run record in 1998.
"We in the medical world are averse to recommending medical supplements when we don't have hard evidence saying there are no ill effects," says Robert Gotlin, director of orthopedic and sports rehabilitation at Beth Israel Medical Center. "The issue of kidney stones, we think, is related to it. People who use it get stomach complaints. My advice is, don't take it."
Yesterday, Stewart's spokeswoman insisted from London: "I spoke to Patrick. He is categorically not taking creatine or any other supplements."
Fine and dandy, Capt. Picard, but please, don't even consider it.
Is chrome-domed British actor Patrick Stewart trying to bulk up with a designer dietary supplement?
Lowdown hears that the 65-year-old Stewart, best known for "X-Men" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation," has been seeing a personal trainer and consulting his doctor about taking creatine.
That's the flavorless, white-powdered steroid alternative, made synthetically from amino acids, that's supposed to boost energy and build muscle.
But be very careful, Capt. Jean-Luc Picard: Creatine's potential side effects include kidney disorders, muscle tears, dehydration, diarrhea and cramping. Plus, although legal, the supplement remains controversial, as when St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire had to defend his use of it when he shattered Roger Maris' single-season home run record in 1998.
"We in the medical world are averse to recommending medical supplements when we don't have hard evidence saying there are no ill effects," says Robert Gotlin, director of orthopedic and sports rehabilitation at Beth Israel Medical Center. "The issue of kidney stones, we think, is related to it. People who use it get stomach complaints. My advice is, don't take it."
Yesterday, Stewart's spokeswoman insisted from London: "I spoke to Patrick. He is categorically not taking creatine or any other supplements."
Fine and dandy, Capt. Picard, but please, don't even consider it.