What is Creatine?
Creatine is one of the most widely used sports supplements. It is a naturally occurring compound that is found in vertebrates and helps supply energy to all cells in the body, primarily muscle cells.
How Creatine Works
About 95% of the human body's creatine is stored in skeletal muscle. The remaining 5% is stored in the brain, liver, kidney, and testes.
During exercise, creatine gets converted into phosphocreatine and helps regenerate ATP, which provides immediate energy for cells. This can improve strength, power and high-intensity exercise performance.
Food Sources of Creatine
You can get creatine through food sources like beef, pork, fish and chicken. However, a person would have to eat pounds of meat every day to approach the 510 gram doses that are used in supplements.
Benefits of Creatine Supplements
Supplementing with creatine can provide several health and performance benefits:
Boosts High-Intensity Exercise
Numerous studies show that creatine supplementation increases strength gains from weight lifting compared to placebo groups not taking creatine (1).
It also improves performance in sports requiring short bursts of energy like sprinting and high-intensity interval training (2).
Increases Lean Muscle Mass
Research indicates that adding creatine supplements to resistance training leads to significantly greater increases in lean body mass compared to strength training alone (3).
Enhances Brain Function
Creatine plays essential roles in brain energy metabolism. Supplements may improve working memory and intelligence test scores (4).
It may also reduce mental fatigue and boost brain health by protecting against neurological disease (5).
May Reduce Injuries and Rehabilitation Time
Early research indicates that creatine supplements may help prevent muscle injuries. It can also accelerate rehabilitation after an injury (6).
Is Creatine Safe?
When used appropriately, creatine is considered safe and effective with very few side effects reported in research (7). Here are some tips for safe use:
Proper Dosing Guidelines
The recommended dosage is 0.3 grams per kg of body weight per day, or about 20 grams per day for a 200-pound person. This dosage can help saturate your cells with creatine quickly.
Cycling Creatine Supplements
Most supplement protocols advise
FAQs
Is creatine safe?
Yes, numerous studies have found creatine supplements to be generally safe when taken at recommended dosages. Side effects are rare but can include weight gain, muscle cramps, stomach upset and increased risk of injury if proper hydration is not maintained.
When is the best time to take creatine?
Research shows that taking creatine supplements after your workout may help speed muscle recovery and maximize absorption. Taking it with a protein and carbohydrate meal/shake is also recommended.
How much creatine should I take per day?
The recommended dosage is about 0.3 grams per kg of body weight per day, or around 5 grams per day. But many athletes take larger doses of 5-10 grams per day by “loading” with 20 grams per day for 5-7 days to saturate muscles faster.
Does creatine cause hair loss?
There is no evidence that creatine supplements cause hair loss or thinning for most people. High testosterone levels from excess supplements combined with genetics for hair loss could accelerate thinning for some.
Can I stay on creatine forever?
It's recommended to supplement with creatine continuously for 8-12 weeks, followed by 4 weeks off before repeating. Cycling on and off helps maximize performance gains long-term without risking side effects.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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