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| Posted 2/17/2008 6:03:15 PM |
| | How important is to take creatine? what is it and how can I get it? help on this please.. Thanx
Ariel Lopez - Search & Learn
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|  Posted 2/17/2008 11:04:45 PM |
| | Hello Ariel, here is something that may help you learn about this interesting topic. Creatine (creatine monohydrate) is a colorless, crystalline substance used in muscle tissue for the production of phosphocreatine, an important factor in the formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the source of energy for muscle contraction and many other functions in the body.
Creatine monohydrate supplementation increases phosphocreatine levels in muscle in most people, especially when accompanied by exercise or carbohydrate intake. However, about 30% of people who take creatine supplements fail to retain significant quantities in the muscle, which may explain the inconsistent results reported in studies of the effects of creatine on athletic performance.
Creatine may increase exercise-related gains in lean body mass,though how much of these gains represents more muscle and how much is simply water retention is unclear. Most, though not all, controlled studies have shown that 20 grams per day of creatine monohydrate taken for five to six days by sedentary or moderately active people, improves performance and delays muscle fatigue during short-duration, high-intensity exercise such as sprinting or weight lifting. However, elderly people appear to gain only minimal, if any, exercise performance benefits from creatine supplementation, and performance outcomes for trained athletes using creatine supplements in competitive situations have not been consistent. Creatine supplementation does not appear to increase endurance performance and may impair it by contributing to weight gain.
Very little research has been done to investigate the exercise performance effects of long-term (over one month) creatine supplementation. Two controlled long-term trials using untrained women20 or trained men found that creatine improved gains made in strength and lean body mass from weight-training programs. However, a third preliminary trial found only insignificant gains from creatine supplementation in weight-training football players.
The amount of creatine within cells may be deficient in people with muscular dystrophy. This deficiency may contribute to the weakness and degeneration of muscle tissue seen in this condition. A case report described a 9-year old boy with muscular dystrophy who experienced improved muscle performance after creatine supplementation. A double-blind trial found that creatine supplementation (10 grams per day for adults, 5 grams per day for children) slightly but significantly improved muscle strength and performance of daily activities in people with varying types of muscular dystrophy. Creatine supplementation has also been reported to improve strength in certain rare diseases of muscle and energy metabolism.
For people with congestive heart failure, intravenous creatine has been found to improve heart function, but oral supplementation has not been effective, though skeletal muscle function does improve.
A double-blind, study found that 20 grams per day of creatine taken for five days followed by 10 grams per day for 51 days significantly lowered serum total cholesterol and triglycerides, but did not change either LDL or HDL cholesterol, in both men and women. However, another double-blind trial found no change in any of these blood levels in trained athletes using creatine during a 12-week strength training program. Creatine supplementation in this negative trial was lower—only 5 grams per day was taken for the last 11 weeks of the study.
Where is creatine monohydrate found?
Creatine is produced naturally in the human liver, pancreas, and kidneys. It is concentrated primarily in muscle tissues, including the heart. Animal proteins, including fish, are the main source of the 1–2 grams per day of dietary creatine most people consume. Supplements in the form of creatine monohydrate are well absorbed and tolerated by the stomach.
Who is likely to be deficient of creatine monohydrate?
People involved in intense physical activity, especially those limiting their intake of red meat, may have low muscle stores of creatine. Several muscle diseases, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic circulatory and respiratory diseases, are associated with lowered creatine levels.
How much creatine monohydrate is usually taken?
Two methods are used for supplementing with creatine. In the loading method, 20 grams of creatine per day (in four divided amounts mixed well in warm liquid) are taken for five to six days. Muscle creatine levels increase rapidly, which is beneficial if a short-term rise in force is needed, such as during a weight-lifting competition, football game, or sprinting. To maintain muscle creatine levels after this loading period, 2–10 grams per day may be effective.
In another method, 3 grams of creatine monohydrate per day are taken over an extended training period of at least four weeks, during which muscle creatine levels rise more slowly, eventually reaching levels similar to those achieved with the loading method. However, no trials testing exercise performance changes have been done using this method. Taking creatine with sugar appears to maximize muscle uptake.
Caffeine intake should not be excessive, as large amounts may counteract the benefits of creatine supplementation.
Are there any side effects or interactions with creatine monohydrate?
Little is known about long-term side effects of creatine, but no consistent toxicity has been reported in studies of creatine supplementation. In a study of side effects of creatine, diarrhea was the most commonly reported adverse effect of creatine supplementation, followed by muscle cramping. Some reports showed that kidney, liver, and blood functions were not affected by short-term higher amounts or long-term lower amounts of creatine supplementation in healthy young adults. In a small study of people taking 5–30 grams per day, no change in kidney function appeared after up to five years of supplementation. However, interstitial nephritis, a serious kidney condition, developed in an otherwise healthy young man, supplementing with 20 grams of creatine per day. Improvement in kidney function followed avoidance of creatine. Details of this case strongly suggest that creatine supplementation triggered this case of kidney disease. Creatine supplementation may also be dangerous for people with existing kidney disease. In one report, a patient with nephrotic syndrome (a kidney disorder) developed glomerulosclerosis (another serious kidney condition) while taking creatine. when the creatine was discontinued, the glomerulosclerosis resolved.
Muscle cramping after creatine supplementation has been anecdotally reported in three studies
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with creatine monohydrate.
Places to buy Creatine online are www.TheCatalog.com, www.Amazon.com & www.VitalityNexus.com
the hosst @
www.theinternetmostwanted.com
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| | Posted 10/7/2008 10:41:19 PM |
| | Excellent answer, the one before mine, all I can *** is this, I buy my sports supplements in vitanex.com always with good prices and service. I hope this helps. 
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