Creatine is the most sought after supplement used for increasing strength and energy by a number of bodybuilders and athletes since it was first marketed as a legitimate ‘body builder’ in the 1990s. Creatine is found in the skeletal muscles of vertebrates in its natural form and is responsible for increasing performance and strength. It enhances efficiency during brief, high intensity sports such as weight lifting, sprints etc.
The significance in bodybuilding is on acquiring muscular mass and shedding excess body fats. Creatine supplements help to increase the total creatine content in the skeletal muscles. This varies in individuals depending on the intake of carbohydrates, level of physical activity, training and development of muscle fiber. But, before consuming any kind of products one must have complete
creatine information regarding its intake, quantity, how it works, side effects and mechanism.
Creatine is the favorite supplement consumed by a number of athletes the world over, ranging from body builders and sprint participants to basketball and football players. A number of wrestlers, hockey players and weight lifting champions also consume it in order to boost their performance. Creatine supplements increase the creatine storage in the inter-muscular cells resulting in their expansion.
Useful Creatine Information for Athletes: Creatine aids in optimizing energy during intense training workouts and helps reach the highest levels of performance. It is produced by the liver, pancreas and kidneys and is used by the muscles as an energy supply they require to develop. On reaching the muscle cells it is converted into creatine phosphate which is used to regenerate the muscular energy source. It enables you to derive maximum strength and muscle mass. The absence of creatine results in muscular fatigue that can be harmful for the body’s growth and development.
Forms of creatine: Supplementation is available in the form of chews, powders and capsules in the market. Creatine powders are the most popular products because of their capability to absorb more efficiently into the blood stream enabling you to take a lesser quantity than in the capsule form.
Creatine can also be derived from food products such as cod, pork, beef, herring, salmon or tune. It is absorbed from the intestines into the blood stream and can also be synthesized from the body storage of amino acids glycine, arginine and methionine. The functions of the kidneys and liver make creatine which is then stored in the muscle cells. The body can store a maximum of 0.3 gram per kilogram of bodyweight of creatine. It is advisable for athletes using creatine supplements to avoid consuming caffeine as it tends to reduce the strength gains brought about by supplementation.
Health Hazards resulting form excessive intake: Your
creatine information guide would be incomplete without appropriate information on the hazards caused by regular intake of the supplement. If creatine helps enhance strength and energy, it also causes a number of side effects such as weight gain as it is an osmotically active substance that can result in the osmotic influx of water in the muscle cells thereby resulting in inflation. This can further result in dehydration, muscle cramps and intolerance to heat. An overdose of the product may even result in anxiety related disorders, seizures, stroke, pulmonary embolism, nausea, cardiac arrhythmia, deep vein thrombosis and even death.
It is essential for bodybuilders and athletes to follow a strict exercise regime combined with a well balanced diet and adequate amount of rest. This, along with a good supplementation plan is a must. But before deciding on what supplements you need, you must consult a doctor or fitness expert in order to know your body weight, body type and present medical condition. A note of any diseases you might be suffering from such as depression, asthma, liver infection, heart disease, diabetes must be made in order to help form the most suitable plan for you.
Creatine might be a great supplement but complete and advanced
creatine information must be available in order to avail maximum benefits and avoid the risk of any side effects.