by Ricardo d Argence
Creatine isn’t really a drug, in fact it is a substance that is produced by our bodies naturally. It is actually a combination of three amino acids which are glycine, arginine, and methionine. Usually creatine is derived from our diets, and for the most part from animal products such as meat or even fish. The creatine that is stored is normally kept within our muscles.
It helps the body do so-called “explosive” high intensity and repetitive exercise. This means that you can get a better workout when you take creatine, and you’ll feel better after your workout too, since your muscles can cover much more quickly from fatigue. It helps reduce the accumulation of lactic acid after your workout, which will help you avoid muscle soreness after your workout.
Even though you can get creatine from your diet, taking supplements of creatine will give you larger amounts of it; taken within reason, this can help you exercise longer with less fatigue and soreness, and with faster recovery times so that you’ll recuperate for less time between workout sessions. This is especially helpful for bodybuilders or other athletes who wish to build muscle mass quickly by working out longer and harder.
So let’s explore how all this actually works. In essence, there is this composition called adenosine triphosphate, which is also known as ATP. ATP is kept within your muscles until you need it, generally during a workout, at which time it’s instantly released. This is where the term explosive workout comes from.
Creatine works because once it’s ingested, it becomes creatine phosphate. That creatine phosphate replenishes the ATP in the muscles by replacing the phosphate molecule that was used up by the muscles during the intensive phase of your workout. When that intensive physical activity happens, the ATP becomes ADP, adenosine diphosphate.
This is what creatine does for you. It replenishes that lost the phosphate molecule so that you have a ready supply of ATP once again. Used correctly, creatine can increase your workout times and give you better muscle mass.
One caveat to taking creatine is that it makes you retain water in your muscles; this means that you have to drink a lot more water to compensate for the water you’re storing in your muscles instead of other organs. In short, be sure you drink enough when you’re taking creatine.
Creatine will give you the ability to exercise to your full potential and will help you to develop your muscles at an increased rate. You won’t be as sore after your workouts, and this means that you can get back to is sooner than normal.
However, it has some drawbacks. You will gain weight because you will be retaining water in your muscles. It’s not really a bad thing, just be prepared for higher numbers on the scale. In addition, if you’re not careful, you can experience dehydration and related side effects like nausea, vomiting or even seizures. Also, if you have kidney problems, you shouldn’t take creatine; it can place greater stress on your kidneys.
Diet is very important, and this is just as true when you’re taking creatine. Regardless of the supplements that you take, you’re still going to require a decent diet and your body won’t function quite as well without it.
You can take all the creatine in the world, but if you sit there and eat junk food instead of concentrating on lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, you’re not going to be helping your workout.
Muscles require some sort of building blocks, therefore make sure your diet is healthy, and make sure it has lots of lean proteins such as lean meats, fish, complex carbohydrates, among other things.
These tips will allow you to get the most possible out of your workouts, and increase your muscle mass.