Creatine: Hazardous or Healthy

CREATINE: Hazardous or Healthy?

In sports today, everyone is looking for that extra advantage to enhance their performance, and to compete harder and stronger than their opponent. Creatine has become a major part of many athletes weight training and conditioning programs in the past few years. Many people have different opinions as to whether or not this substance should be used. After researching the topic of Creatine, I have concluded that there is nothing wrong with taking the supplement called Creatine.

The supplement, known as Creatine or “Nature’s Steroid”, is the latest craze of the movement, and is selling over 100 million dollars in profit each year. “Creatine is a natural substance that was first discovered by a French Chemist named Chevreul” (Higher Power Creatine Web page). It is found in its highest form in lean red muscle tissue of animals and humans in the form of Creatine Phosphate. “Creatine must be combined with exercise to get an effect. When muscles are used to lift a weight, or perform any type of work, ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is quickly broken down to ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) and energy is released. The amount of ATP stored in the muscle must rely on Creatine to restock its supply of ATP. This cycle is repeated throughout the training period. Therefore, the addition of supplementary creatine allows the duration of the body’s maximum effort to increase. Which basically means you can lift more weight for a longer period of time”(Applegate 25). Muscles will only increase in size when stimulated by a greater workload. For example, before one was using a Creatine supplement, he or she was bench-pressing 170 pounds, for 3 sets with 8 repetitions each set. With use of Creatine one is able to bench press 180 pounds, for 3 sets with ten repetitions per set. Thus, enhancing performance, and gradually increasing overall strength and muscle mass.

The one major concern about Creatine is if it is harmful, and the type of side affects that may occur from its use. “Creatine is a natural, safe substance that already exists in the human body. Its function is to provide the body with energy reserves. Reports have also shown that it is not an addictive substance, like tobacco. Creatine is safe for both sexes. Common side eff...

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...efore exercise”(Fitness Pros Bodybuilding Web page). This gives the Creatine time to get to the muscle.

There are two periods in which one takes Creatine. “The Loading period, in which he or she takes 2 to 4 full teaspoons per day spaced throughout the day, for a weeks time. The purpose of the Loading phase is to overdose the body with the supplement, which allows maximum absorption. After Loading is done one has to maintain or regulate the amount of Creatine in their system. The recommended Maintenance period includes taking 1 to 2 full teaspoons daily, for as long as one continues using the supplement”(Fitness Pros Bodybuilding Web page). Through my research, I found that these periods varied, but this program was the most consistent.

To conclude, Creatine or “Nature’s Steroid”, is an over the counter dietary supplement that helps build lean muscle mass, and shortens recovery time between workouts. Its side effects are nowhere near life threatening, and the supplement is natural and already in our muscles. Creatine is a legal, healthy way to enhance muscular strength and endurance in the striving athletes of the world.