Creatine – What and Why
May 20, 2009 4:47 am SupplementsCreatine is a substance which is formed naturally in our bodies. This substance is an amino acid-based compound. It is able to store energy from amino acids that already exist and foods that are found in the body. Some foods that are rich in creatine are fish and red meat. This substance is stored in the human body by the name of phosphocreatine which is another compound. Phosphocreatine stores energy in muscles and provides the energy for muscular contractions. Phosphate has the job of regenerating adenosine triphosphate or ATP molecules.
What is the ATP regeneration process? You may remember this from your biology classes in high school. When a muscle contracts, ATP loses a phosphate molecule and converts it to energy, turning it into ADP (adenosine diphosphate). In order to replenish the body sources of ATP, that ADP molecule needs to be turned back into an energy rich ATP molecule. This is where creatine can help. What does, in a nutshell, is convert ADP to ATP. So the more creatine in your body, the faster your body can turn ADP into ATP. The benefit of this is that your muscles contract much more rapidly and effectively when your body is able to quickly convert ADP back into ATP. As a result, when exercise enthusiasts know they need extra energy, for example they are doing something like bodybuilding or sprinting and they need to have short bursts of energy for exercise, they take creatine.
As an additional benefit, adding creatine also reduces fatigue, and it helps with protein synthesis. Both of these things promote muscle growth and development.
What’s even more exciting about creatine is you don’t have to wait any significant time after taking it for your body to be able to have access to this extra energy. For weightlifters and sprinters, as well as other fitness enthusiasts, creatine is a supplement that is essential for their fitness toolbox. Not only does it allow for an easier time doing exercise that requires frequent or sudden burst of energy, but it also improves energy overall and helps your muscles recover after doing exercise.
Chances are if you are someone who bodybuilds, runs, or participates in other related exercise programs, you may have heard of creatine already. If you haven’t, you need to try it out! Not only is creatine and excellent supplement for bodybuilders, it’s also good for anyone who wants to increase their muscle efficiency as it helps maintain hydration in the muscles. Creatine is derived naturally from an amino acid of the liver, pancreas, and kidney, from glycine, arginine, and methione. Water is well retained in the muscles when a person takes creatine. Not only does this help build strength, but also increases your muscular endurance.
Once you know all of the wonderful benefits of creatine in helping with muscle growth and endurance, you’re guaranteed to be happy you tried it out. And it is proven by research to be safe and effective for those who want to improve their performance and muscle mass provided their exercise requires short explosive energy bursts. That does not mean that creatine is a magic wand you can wave to achieve the physique you want without hard work. It will help you if you are exercising, but you can’t just take a creatine supplement, sit on the couch, only exercise your thumb by turning the channels, and still expect to have a great body.
It takes hard work and effort to grow muscle. When used with a regular exercise plan, creatine is quite effective.
You should begin taking Creatine and work out with weights regularly and even with a trainer. As time goes on, you will see that your muscles are growing and you shouldnt see any loss of definition due to having retained water in your muscles. Creatine travels via the bloodstream to muscle tissue. Taking a creatine supplement will also hydrate the muscle cells. This will create a fuller and bigger appearance to the muscle. Over 90% of the creatine in the body is stored in muscle tissue. Minor amounts may also be present in the brain, heart and the testes in males. Approximately 120 grams are stored in the typical adult. The average persons daily requirement of creatine is approximately 2 grams. There is one fact that you must keep in mind. If you have been taking creatine for a few months and suddenly stop taking it, the cell expansion effects will be lost as well as the water gain. However, you will not lose the muscle that you have gotten through hard work. Do not be confused about this substance building big muscles. It helps your muscles build themselves better and stronger when you put in some effort and hard work.










