Informative Essay On Creatine

Creatine
Did you know that over 80% of the athletes who participated in the Olympic Games held in Atlanta in 1996 said they had used creatine to improve their performance during their events? That is pretty startling. These athletes were attempting to use creatine to help restore lost energy and build muscle. Creatine supplements have some benefits that have been documented in various research studies, however there are some risks as well. Different governing bodies and health professionals have written position statements on creatine supplementation. It is important not only to know the risks and benefits but to seek professional guidance before starting creatine supplementation.
Creatine, a natural substance that is made in the human
One can obtain about five grams per kilogram from fish and about two grams per kilogram of creatine from beef. Naturally, herbivores have lower levels of creatine due to the fact that they do not eat meat. Recommendations for the amount of creatine that is in supplements varies greatly.
The main reason people supplement with creatine according to most sources it is to get larger muscles. The theory is that creatine helps regenerate ATP that is lost while working out. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is “the primary carrier of energy in cells.”(Brittanica). Cellular respiration creates energy from food molecules and ATP carries that energy throughout the body where it is needed. So, if we can aid in regenerating ATP then less energy will be lost during the workout. However, just because a supplement works one way for someone does not mean it works the same way for everyone. A question that is often asked is, “What effect does creatine have on muscle?” The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition says that creatine “seems to produce positive effects on strength,
Myopathy is a disease that affects the muscle tissue of an individual. The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition states that “Myopathy patients have demonstrated reduced levels of total creatine…” (JISSN). Therefore, creatine supplementation might help myopathy patients along with other medications. As one can see, there are many positive effects of creatine supplementation; however, there are also some negative effects. A large portion of the creatine supplement market is with adolescents or teenagers; however, there is not much data supporting the use of creatine for people younger than 18. This is because high school athletes and younger athletes are still working through the effects of puberty and their bodies are still developing. The best option for teenagers for creatine supplementation is to obtain it through a healthy diet and proper exercise.
Another side effect has to do with the way creatine leaves the body. Many vitamins and other chemicals leave the body through renal filtration. This can lead to kidney problems later because of the extra work that the kidney has to do due to the added chemicals of the creatine