Creatine is an amino-acid based compound that is produced naturally in the human body. The body produces half the required creatine endogenously from internal amino acids and the rest is produced from the food we take. Creatine is found largely in fish and red meat. Creatine is produced by the liver, pancreas and kidneys and is sent to the muscle tissues through the blood. It is converted into phosphocreatine molecules that store energy in muscular tissues. This allows the body to release large bouts of energy when the body is exerted.
Creatine is taken as a food supplement like vitamins and minerals. This is to create additional phosphocreatine in the body for generating more energy. Creatine supplements are generally taken by people participating in sports like weightlifting, wrestling and sprinting as these sports require sudden bursts of energy for short periods. Creatine supplements are approved by the FDA and under the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Creatine also has other benefits like 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.
Use of creatine as a food supplement is on the rise. Despite its usefulness, creatine is found to have some side effects albeit few. The most common side effect is weight gain due to more water in the muscle and increase in the lean-muscle tissue. Other side effects observed were dehydration, muscle cramps, nausea, diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress and seizures. For persons with existing kidney or renal disorders, creatine was found to cause renal stress because of more stress on the kidneys.
The long-term effects of taking creatine over a long period of time haven’t been established yet. Its side effects when used along with other medications or supplements also haven’t been determined yet. Hence it is better to be well informed about the likely side effects of creatine before using it, especially in the “loading” method. Most creatine supplement products sold over-the-counter have the precautions and the likely side effects listed on the label. Manufacturers also provide information when requested. There are several websites over the Internet that provides useful information about creatine supplements and their side effects.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Creatine Benefits
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
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...
-
Creatine Supplements
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Creatine is a naturally formed amino acid in the human body. It is a nutrient like proteins vitamins. Creatine is produced by the human body from existing amino acids as well as from the food we take. The main food sources of Creatine are fish...
-
Creatine Monohydrate
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Creatine is an amino acid that acts as an energy booster. Athletes who need sudden bursts of energy in sports like weightlifting, wrestling and sprinting use Creatine as an energy supplement. Creatine is believed to aid the chemical reaction in the body, which occurs when...
-
Creatine
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Creatine is a naturally formed amino acid that is found in the human body, especially around the skeletal muscle. The human body generates Creatine naturally, partly from the diet we take and partly on its own. A healthy person has about 120g of Creatine, most...
-
Discount Creatine
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Creatine is a non-protein amino acid that is produced by the human body. It is produced by the liver, kidneys and pancreas from existing amino acids and from the food we take. Creatine helps in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is a major...
-
Creatine Tablets
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Creatine is a naturally formed amino acid that is found in the human body, especially around the skeletal muscle. The human body generates Creatine naturally partly from the diet we take and partly on its own. A healthy person has about 120g of Creatine, most...
-
Creatine Reviews
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Creatine is very widely used by athletes as it offers many benefits with the least number of side effects compared to other drugs. Creatine provides instant energy to the body and is used when an individual is into high intensity sports like bodybuilding or weightlifting....
-
Side Effects of HGH
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
There has been a major buzz recently about Human Growth Hormone (HGH). This hormone is naturally produced by the pituitary gland in the brain and it is responsible for the growth and maintenance of healthy cells in practically every part of the body. As we...
-
Side Effects Of Steroids
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Steroids are widely used in health care and for enhancing athletic performances. Unfortunately, they can cause severe health problems due to various negative side effects. Side effects of steroids can take place both within and outside the body and possibly will not be noticed until...
-
Vitamin E Side Effects
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
The medical dictionary defines a side effect as a peripheral or secondary effect, especially an undesirable side effect of a drug or therapy. Vitamin E, taken from food sources alone, doesn’t have any documented evidence of any side effects. But vitamin E as a supplement...