Creatine is popular, they say, because it's easy to get and safe, allegedly.

But is it safe? Richter says yes, so far. Short-term studies done on creatine have found muscle cramps to be the only serious side effect. Colucci says maybe not, that some case reports have linked creatine with liver and kidney damage if a user doesn't drink plenty of water. Bartels calls it "one of the safer" ergogenics, which isn't the same as saying it's safe.

Does it work? Yes and no. No for runners and swimmers, Colucci says, because it may cause weight gain, which negates the extra strength creatine may have helped build. Bartels says maybe yes, but only for weight-lifters by increasing the weight they can lift, the repetitions they an do and the frequency of their workout sessions. But she says not to rule out a placebo effect.

"What happens when you're a weight lifter and you're continuing to work out?" she asks. "You're going to be doing better, and so how do you differentiate between whether creatine really is improving your ability or whether your physical ability is improving because you're continuing to work out?"

DHEA. This product also is popular, Bartels says. Magazines that cater to athletes are rife with ads claiming this dietary supplement burns fat and builds muscle. So far no studies confirm that. On the other hand, Bartels says, as a hormonal product DHEA is potentially dangerous, particularly for people at risk of developing certain hormonal cancers such as breast, uterine, cervical and testicular cancer. Furthermore, Colucci says, hormonal products are metabolized mostly by the liver, so they can cause liver damage.

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Clinton Community College, a member school of the State University of New York, and is located at Bluff Point, about four miles south of Plattsburgh, on forested heights overlooking Lake Champlain.

Carl Albert State College  has formed strong partnerships across the nation to bring bachelors and masters level programs to students in the area.  Mid America Christian University (MACU) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio offer a number of bachelors degrees through ITV on the Poteau campus and/or the internet. 

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