Creatine is one of the most popular sports supplements available today. Yet, people still have questions about this supplement. Does creatine really work? What are its benefits? What about its side effects. Who can benefit the most from using it? Hundreds of studies have proven the benefits of creatine supplementation. This product has emerged as a staple for athletes, bodybuilders, and guys looking to build muscle.
What Is Creatine?
This compound was discovered by a French chemist in 1832. It’s actually a nitrogenous organic acid produced in the liver. Creatine can also be obtained from food and supplements. Its main components are the three amino acids L-methionine, L-arginine, and glycine.
This naturally occurring substance stimulates ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production in your body and helps supply energy to your muscles. About 95 percent gets stored in the skeletal muscles. The remaining five percent go to your heart, brain, and testes.
How Do Creatine Supplements Work?
Creatine is also available as a dietary supplement. Fitness enthusiasts and athletes use this product to gain size and strength, recover faster after strenuous training, and lift heavier weights. Creatine is not a steroid – it’s a natural compound that can boost your performance and stimulate muscle growth.
When used as a dietary supplement, creatine reduces muscle fatigue, increases your energy levels, and reduces catabolism. Researchers have found that the best results are seen when this product is combined with strength training. Keep in mind that creatine won’t help you build muscle without working out. If you want to get bigger and stronger, you need to train hard. This supplement will help you get faster results, increase your strength and endurance, and make your muscles look fuller.
Be aware that creatine pulls water into your muscles, causing weight gain. However, it’s only water, not fat, so there’s nothing to worry about. Your muscles will look bigger and more pumped. It’s recommended to take creatine when bulking up.
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Great article but what is not addressed here is the fact that proteins and amino acids need a pretty neutral pH to survive, the problem with oral supplements is that they go through your stomach acid which has a very acidic pH which causes these to denature (or die), so how effective canx they be if they have been killed off by your stomach acid?
What if you take those supplement with milk which is basic and it will definitely lower the ph of stomach acid while proteins are being absorbe.d
You can take creatine with milk, but you’ll rip greater benefits if you take it with faster carbs