Creatine is made up of the amino acids arginine, glycine and L-methionine, which are synthesized in the liver and kidneys. Some creatine is obtained naturally from meat and fish in the diet, particularly those containing high levels such as beef, tuna and herring though some is destroyed when meat is cooked. An average human has approximately 120 grams of creatine in the body at any one time and this is broken down into creatinine at the rate of 2 grams a day and excreted by the kidneys.
Creatine is stored in the muscles of the body and is used to produce energy for muscle contraction. During exercise the muscle contraction and relaxation requires energy. This is obtained when adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is broken down into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in a process called dephosphorylation. The free energy that is released can then be used by the muscles.
The phosphastes in creatine are then used to rebuild ATP from ADP, so theoretically the more creatine in your muscles, the quicker ATP can be restored, resulting in more energy available in the muscles. Creatine is used for both strength gains and muscle gains, and is often associated with increased stamina over a short period of time.
In 1832 a French scientist identified a substance he called kreas (Greek for flesh.) A German scientist, Justus von Liebig, later helped promote a meat extract to give the body added strength, the key ingredient being creatine.
The use of creatine was the subject of investigation following the 1992 Olympics where it was claimed that it was used as a supplement by some of the athletes. Bodybuilding supplements that contain creatine have been available since the 1920s to build muscle bulk.
Athletes and body builders use creatine as a dietary supplement when they are trying to bulk up and gain body mass. It can be taken either in tablet form or as a powder. There are many different formulations such as creatine monohydrate, creatine citrate, creatine ester ethyl hydrochloride and creatine ester ethyl, amongst others.
When deciding which product is most suitable, consult the consumer reviews. You will find reviews on creatine products are published at Consumer Lab . There have been reports of contaminated creatine supplements. Be sure to buy products made by established companies with good reputations.
Typically, users tend to choose a powdered creatine such as creatine monohydrate, although recently creatine users are reporting excellent results from a product called Kre-Alkalyn. There are very few reports, if any, that promote the use of liquid creatine, effervescence, or any other form of creatine aside from monohydrate and Kre-Alkalyn.
Creatine monohydrate is a tried and true creatine supplement that has withstood the athletes’ test of time. It works, it works best, and it will work for you. We recommended to use front loading with creatine monohydrate, as mentioned below under Loading Doses.
Each gram of Kre-Alkalyn is equivalent to 10 grams of creatine powder.
Creatine uptake into the muscle has been reported to be sodium dependent and mediated by insulin. The general recommendation is that creatine is best taken with carbohydrates or simple sugars such as fruit juices to maximise its benefit. Taking creatine with 80-100 grams of glucose, or a carbohydrate/protein mix of 50-80 grams of carbs and 30-50 grams of protein, may be the most effective way to enhance creatine uptake.
Creatine is usually taken in 8-10 week cycles with an initial loading phase of 5 days, and dropping down to the lower maintenance dose for the rest of the cycle. However, there is no evidence to suggest that cycling on and off creatine is more effective than loading and maintaining creatine use. The greatest reported benefit of creatine supplementation occurs with highly intense training. Therefore, if an athlete wants to cycle creatine, it will be more effective when they are involved in their heaviest training period.
As reported by Men’s Health, there is evidence that injesting creatine with D-pinitol may also help creatine uptake into muscle.
If discomfort, diarrhea or any other physical condition occurs whilst taking creatine, consult a physician immediately. Always read the label on the product of your choice and follow the guidelines.
During the loading period 20 grams of creatine protein powder is taken daily and this amount is broken down into several smaller doses that are taken at regular intervals throughout the day. Users typically take 5 grams, 4 times a day, for 5-7 days when front loading. Studies have shown very little benefit to exercise performance when front loading is not used, even when the athlete supplements with creating for a prolonged period of time.
After the loading period, only one dose of 3-5 grams is taken daily. The maintenance dose is often taken two to three hours before working out.
A newer form of creatine, called Kre-Alkalyn, discussed above, does not require any front loading. Currently Kre-Alkalyn is growing more popular, however it will take several more years of athletic supplementation to determine whether Kre-Alkalyn will be considered a equivalent or supperior supplement to creatine monohydrate.
Although creatine is not generally considered a dangerous supplements, because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider. It is not advised to begin supplementing with creatine until you have first consulted with your doctor.
- Creatine is not recommended for individuals under 18 years of age.
- Consult a doctor before taking the product if you have an existing gastro-intestinal or renal condition.
- Creatine is not recommended for women when they are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- People with kidney disease, high blood pressure, or liver disease should avoid creatine.
There are no studies indicated specifically that creatine supplementation may be harmful for children or adolescent athletes. Long-term creatine supplementation has been used as therapy for a number of deficiencies and neuromuscular disorders in children. It should be noted that much less is known about the effects of creatine supplementation in younger individuals.
Although there are situations where adolescents would benefit from using creatine, such usage should be cleared and monitored by a physician. Creatine clearly is a much safer alternative to using steroids, especially for a teenager or young adult.
Bodybuilding supplements such as creatine add fat free mass to the body. When using creatine, fat free mass gains are achieved through increased hydration within the muscle tissue and increased energy via the ATP-ADP cycle. Maintaining the body’s store of creatine allows the body to maintain higher energy levels and longer workouts.
The “PUMPS” are also significantly better, as the intra-muscular fluids are much greater than normal within the muscle(s) currently being trained. Using creatine definitely makes one appear much more Swole, at least during exercise. =)
Creatine users have reported the following benefits:
- Increased strength
- Increased energy
- Increased speed
- Increased power
- Increased stamina
- Increased muscle size
- Faster recovery times
- Less DOMs (soreness)
Creatine does not appear to cause many of the negative side effects normally associated with steroids such as aggression, higher blood pressure and pulse rate, and acne. Creatine also costs way less than most illegal sports supplements like steroids, insulin, and growth hormone.
Most studies have found no significant side effects at normal doses used for up to six months. In fact, there are currently no recorded adverse medical side effects other than water retention while taking creatine, and a reduction in energy levels and muscle turgidity and size, when the creatine supplementation is stopped.
However, some athletes have reported the following side effects when using creatine: weight gain, muscle cramps, muscle strains and pulls, stomach upset, diarrhea, dizziness, high blood pressure, liver dysfunction, and kidney damage. These side effects are most often reported when creatine usage is higher than the recommended daily intake, when fluid consumption is low, or when exercise conditions are extreme.
Taking creatine supplements may prevent the body from making its own natural stores, although the long-term effects are not known. The Food & Drug Administration recommends talking to your doctor before starting to take creatine.
Research is currently underway on the potential benefits of creatine for patients with neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson’s, arthritis muscular dystrophy and others, where it has been found to have an effect on muscular strength. Consult the common medical journals to read more about these studies.
The best creatine product with proven customer satisfaction is creatine monohydrate. There are no questions asked about creatine monohydrate, it just works.
Want to try a potentially superior creatine product? Try a bottle of Kre-Alkalyn, which in theory does not need to be front loaded and will cause less gastrointestinal stress, for those whose digestive systems do not process creatine monohydrate very well.
Resources:
Creatine Overview at UMM
Creatine and Creatinine Metabolism
Creatine Journal
The Facts About Creatine
LOSE FAT FAST with the Project Swole
Three Step Full Body Weight Loss Plan . Combine the supplement plan with a full body fat loss exercise routine for record breaking fat loss results!
BUILD MUSCLE FAST with the Project Swole
Three Step Muscle Gain Plan . Max out your muscle gain potential with two great supplements and the ground-breaking Werewolf Training routines!
Creatine is made up of the amino acids arginine, glycine and L-methionine, which are synthesized in the liver and kidneys. Some creatine is obtained naturally from meat and fish in the diet, particularly those containing high levels such as beef, tuna and herring though some is destroyed when meat is cooked. An average human has approximately 120 grams of creatine in the body at any one time and this is broken down into creatinine at the rate of 2 grams a day and excreted by the kidneys.
Creatine is stored in the muscles of the body and is used to produce energy for muscle contraction. During exercise the muscle contraction and relaxation requires energy. This is obtained when adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is broken down into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in a process called dephosphorylation. The free energy that is released can then be used by the muscles.
The phosphastes in creatine are then used to rebuild ATP from ADP, so theoretically the more creatine in your muscles, the quicker ATP can be restored, resulting in more energy available in the muscles. Creatine is used for both strength gains and muscle gains, and is often associated with increased stamina over a short period of time.
In 1832 a French scientist identified a substance he called kreas (Greek for flesh.) A German scientist, Justus von Liebig, later helped promote a meat extract to give the body added strength, the key ingredient being creatine.
The use of creatine was the subject of investigation following the 1992 Olympics where it was claimed that it was used as a supplement by some of the athletes. Bodybuilding supplements that contain creatine have been available since the 1920s to build muscle bulk.
Athletes and body builders use creatine as a dietary supplement when they are trying to bulk up and gain body mass. It can be taken either in tablet form or as a powder. There are many different formulations such as creatine monohydrate, creatine citrate, creatine ester ethyl hydrochloride and creatine ester ethyl, amongst others.
When deciding which product is most suitable, consult the consumer reviews. You will find reviews on creatine products are published at Consumer Lab . There have been reports of contaminated creatine supplements. Be sure to buy products made by established companies with good reputations.
Typically, users tend to choose a powdered creatine such as creatine monohydrate, although recently creatine users are reporting excellent results from a product called Kre-Alkalyn. There are very few reports, if any, that promote the use of liquid creatine, effervescence, or any other form of creatine aside from monohydrate and Kre-Alkalyn.
Creatine monohydrate is a tried and true creatine supplement that has withstood the athletes’ test of time. It works, it works best, and it will work for you. We recommended to use front loading with creatine monohydrate, as mentioned below under Loading Doses.
Each gram of Kre-Alkalyn is equivalent to 10 grams of creatine powder.
Creatine uptake into the muscle has been reported to be sodium dependent and mediated by insulin. The general recommendation is that creatine is best taken with carbohydrates or simple sugars such as fruit juices to maximise its benefit. Taking creatine with 80-100 grams of glucose, or a carbohydrate/protein mix of 50-80 grams of carbs and 30-50 grams of protein, may be the most effective way to enhance creatine uptake.
Creatine is usually taken in 8-10 week cycles with an initial loading phase of 5 days, and dropping down to the lower maintenance dose for the rest of the cycle. However, there is no evidence to suggest that cycling on and off creatine is more effective than loading and maintaining creatine use. The greatest reported benefit of creatine supplementation occurs with highly intense training. Therefore, if an athlete wants to cycle creatine, it will be more effective when they are involved in their heaviest training period.
As reported by Men’s Health, there is evidence that injesting creatine with D-pinitol may also help creatine uptake into muscle.
If discomfort, diarrhea or any other physical condition occurs whilst taking creatine, consult a physician immediately. Always read the label on the product of your choice and follow the guidelines.
During the loading period 20 grams of creatine protein powder is taken daily and this amount is broken down into several smaller doses that are taken at regular intervals throughout the day. Users typically take 5 grams, 4 times a day, for 5-7 days when front loading. Studies have shown very little benefit to exercise performance when front loading is not used, even when the athlete supplements with creating for a prolonged period of time.
After the loading period, only one dose of 3-5 grams is taken daily. The maintenance dose is often taken two to three hours before working out.
A newer form of creatine, called Kre-Alkalyn, discussed above, does not require any front loading. Currently Kre-Alkalyn is growing more popular, however it will take several more years of athletic supplementation to determine whether Kre-Alkalyn will be considered a equivalent or supperior supplement to creatine monohydrate.
Although creatine is not generally considered a dangerous supplements, because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider. It is not advised to begin supplementing with creatine until you have first consulted with your doctor.
There are no studies indicated specifically that creatine supplementation may be harmful for children or adolescent athletes. Long-term creatine supplementation has been used as therapy for a number of deficiencies and neuromuscular disorders in children. It should be noted that much less is known about the effects of creatine supplementation in younger individuals.
Although there are situations where adolescents would benefit from using creatine, such usage should be cleared and monitored by a physician. Creatine clearly is a much safer alternative to using steroids, especially for a teenager or young adult.
Bodybuilding supplements such as creatine add fat free mass to the body. When using creatine, fat free mass gains are achieved through increased hydration within the muscle tissue and increased energy via the ATP-ADP cycle. Maintaining the body’s store of creatine allows the body to maintain higher energy levels and longer workouts.
The “PUMPS” are also significantly better, as the intra-muscular fluids are much greater than normal within the muscle(s) currently being trained. Using creatine definitely makes one appear much more Swole, at least during exercise. =)
Creatine users have reported the following benefits:
Creatine does not appear to cause many of the negative side effects normally associated with steroids such as aggression, higher blood pressure and pulse rate, and acne. Creatine also costs way less than most illegal sports supplements like steroids, insulin, and growth hormone.
Most studies have found no significant side effects at normal doses used for up to six months. In fact, there are currently no recorded adverse medical side effects other than water retention while taking creatine, and a reduction in energy levels and muscle turgidity and size, when the creatine supplementation is stopped.
However, some athletes have reported the following side effects when using creatine: weight gain, muscle cramps, muscle strains and pulls, stomach upset, diarrhea, dizziness, high blood pressure, liver dysfunction, and kidney damage. These side effects are most often reported when creatine usage is higher than the recommended daily intake, when fluid consumption is low, or when exercise conditions are extreme.
Taking creatine supplements may prevent the body from making its own natural stores, although the long-term effects are not known. The Food & Drug Administration recommends talking to your doctor before starting to take creatine.
Research is currently underway on the potential benefits of creatine for patients with neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson’s, arthritis muscular dystrophy and others, where it has been found to have an effect on muscular strength. Consult the common medical journals to read more about these studies.
The best creatine product with proven customer satisfaction is creatine monohydrate. There are no questions asked about creatine monohydrate, it just works.
Want to try a potentially superior creatine product? Try a bottle of Kre-Alkalyn, which in theory does not need to be front loaded and will cause less gastrointestinal stress, for those whose digestive systems do not process creatine monohydrate very well.
Resources:
Creatine Overview at UMM
Creatine and Creatinine Metabolism
Creatine Journal
The Facts About Creatine
BUILD MUSCLE FAST with the Project Swole Three Step Muscle Gain Plan . Max out your muscle gain potential with two great supplements and the ground-breaking Werewolf Training routines!