Supplementing Creatine: Benefits and Health Risks

Creatine is the most popular workout supplement in circulation today. It is primarily used to increase muscles mass, strength, and exercise performance. But it has also been associated with the ability to protect your mind against the onset of neurological diseases. There are some aspects of creatine that are considered to be controversial, but this is not backed by any scientific research. This article will explore the ins and outs of creatine, and all of its health benefits.

What is Creatine?

Creatine is a naturally occurring substance that is found in the cells; your body produces it all on its own. Bodybuilders use creatine to build muscles, improve their exercise performance, and enhance their strength. It is chemically similar to many different amino acids. Your body actually produces it by breaking down the amino acids, glycine and arginine.

Your body’s creatine stores are affected by several factors that include, the amount of meat you’re consuming, exercise, muscle mass, and your hormone levels (specifically the levels of testosterone and IGF-1). Approximately 95% of your body’s creatine is stored in your muscles as phosphocreatine. The remaining 5% is located in your brain, liver, and kidneys.

How Creatine Works

Creatine improves your athletic health and performance in a variety of ways. During high intensity exercise, creatine increases your phosphocreatine stores in your body. The additional phosphocreatine stores produce excess ATP, the main energy source for high intensity exercise and heavy lifting. Creatine supplements also increase the phosphocreatine stores

In your brain which can improve your brain health and prevent the onset of neurological diseases such as:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Huntington’s disease
• Ischemic stroke
• Epilepsy
• Brain or spinal cord injuries
• Motor neuron disease
• Memory and brain functionality in older adults