Creatine
Benefits
By Jennifer Bailey
Creatine is a naturally formed nutrient in the human body. It is
an amino acid-based compound that is produced in the body from existing
amino acids and food. Creatine content is found in foods like fish
and red meat. The Creatine produced in the body is converted into
a molecule known as “phosphocreatine”. Phosphocreatine
stores energy in muscular tissues, especially in voluntary muscles
and in the nervous system as these require large bouts of energy
suddenly. There are also other benefits from Creatine such as promoting
lean-muscle mass and reducing muscle wasting in post-surgical patients.
It is also believed to help heart patients by increasing their exercise
capacity, reducing heart spasms and thus increasing heart function.
Some studies have also indicated its usefulness in treating neuromuscular
disorders, though tests are still being conducted. Creatine is categorized
as a food supplement by the FDA.
Creatine is said to be
the “most legitimate sports supplement” today. Creatine
is essentially used by sportspersons who participate in heavy sports
like weightlifting, wrestling and sprinting. This is because these
sports require sudden bursts of energy for a short period of time.
Creatine also helps the athlete to recover sooner even after using
up all the energy. Taking too much Creatine is also not very harmful
as the body can absorb only a certain quantity and the rest is expelled
from the body through the kidneys.
Creatine is also found
to be useful for people suffering from neuromuscular disorders like
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease), a
degenerative neural disease, when tested in mice. It was found to
be twice as effective in extending the life of mice as compared
to the existing prescription drug – riluzole. This may be
due to the increase in the availability of energy to damaged nerve
cells. Or it can be because of a blocking to a chemical pathway
that causes cell death.
The best thing
about Creatine is its almost negligible side effects. Creatine supplements
are available in the form of capsules, chewable tablets as well
as powder. There are several manufacturers of Creatine supplements.
There are also several websites on the Internet that provide information
about Creatine supplements.
Creatine provides detailed
information about creatine, creatine benefits, creatine monohydrate,
and more. Creatine is affiliated with Body Mass Index Chart.
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