Warning on Super 12's booster

By PHIL TAYLOR

The world's top sports anti-doping agency is warning athletes against a performance-enhancing supplement which has been popular among New Zealand rugby players.

The World Anti-Doping Agency is giving the warning because of potential health risks, in particular to the kidneys and liver.

Joeli Vidiri is among Super 12 players who took creatine. In 2001, he was diagnosed as having nephrotic syndrome, a condition which has led to his kidneys failing. He receives dialysis three times a week.

Vidiri began taking creatine, which he told the Weekend Herald was provided by the Blues, in 1997.

Graham Henry was co-coach and Graham Paterson was the team doctor. They are now the All Black coach and doctor.

But the New Zealand Rugby Union says it is not concerned about widespread use of the supplement today.

Medical director Dr Steve Targett said he believed creatine was a passing fad that peaked a few years ago, so he did not think it necessary to issue a warning.

Jonah Lomu, who also has nephrotic syndrome and requires dialysis, was in the Blues at the same time as Vidiri.

But Lomu told the Weekend Herald he did not take the supplement, which many sports people used as a legal way of adding bulk and providing explosive energy.

World Anti-Doping Agency director general David Howman said reports suggested kidney and liver failures might be related to high consumption of creatine.

He said the agency decided there should be an educational message sent to athletes on the limited effect of the substance, and the possible risks associated with it.

Taking small amounts of creatine was unlikely to be damaging, but longer-term research was needed.

Meanwhile, Ireland is to join France in banning creatine. The Irish Sports Council and Ireland's Minister of Sport, James McDaid, a doctor, oppose creatine use and the Irish Rugby Union is understood to be moving to ban it.

Reports in scientific journals say proper long-term studies have yet to be done to evaluate side-effects and safety. Many warn people with kidney problems not to take it.

Creatine was in demand because it was seen as a legal alternative to anabolic steroids and an aid to building bulk and strength. It was particularly popular in New Zealand and was used by players in rugby's Super 12 and NPC competitions.

Vidiri said he stopped taking it because it made him too bulky.

"I put on heaps of weight."

Lomu said he knew of his kidney problems when creatine became popular and he discussed the supplement with John Mayhew, who is Lomu's GP and was the All Black doctor at the time.

"I felt my kidneys did not need any loading - they were under enough stress as it was."

Nephrotic syndrome is not a disease but a number of symptoms characterised by the leakage of protein, mainly through the urine. It can result from damage to tiny blood vessels in the kidneys.

It can arise from diabetic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis (inflammation of kidney filters) and a few other rare disorders.

Neither Lomu nor Vidiri are diabetic. Both receive dialysis and Lomu is seeking a kidney donor.

Doctors spoken to by the Weekend Herald regarded the warnings for people with kidney problems not to take creatine as a sensible precaution, but also said there was no solid evidence to link creatine to renal problems such as nephritis.

Otago University nephrologist Professor Rob Walker said creatine would not cause nephrotic syndrome but could make an existing kidney condition worse.

Professor Ian Simpson, a nephrologist involved in the care of Lomu and Vidiri, said someone could have a reaction to creatine but that would be rare.

"There are about 10 different types of nephritis and Jonah had one kind and Joeli had a different kind. I think it is bad luck, and nothing to do with anything."