The first thing your fitness trainer might point to when you decide to take body building supplements is Creatine. Even if you are relatively new to body building, you might as well have heard about its use from other fitness enthusiasts.
So what exactly is Creatine?
Technically speaking, Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid (amino acid) that occurs naturally in vertebrates. Its main function is to recycle adenosine triphosphate which is responsible for providing energy primarily to the muscles and brain tissue. Simply put, it provides extra stamina and replenishes your body effectively so that you can lift heavy sets of dumbbells and plates with every repetition.
How does it work?
Adenosine triphosphate which is already present in the muscle is required to be broken into adenosine diphosphate. The body cannot use adenosine diphosphate for energy. Thus, ADP takes a phosphate from Creatine in order to form ATP (adenosine triphosphate). As a result, you get more energy and can accomplish more work before fatigue sets in.
Creatine has been branded as one of the most used supplements by weight lifters and have been also dubbed as a harmful substance by others. Here are some things that you should know about the most talked-about body building supplement:
- Creatine has been in bad light because it can actually damage organs such as kidneys and liver. Although there are concerns about the safety of Creatine supplementation and the fact how well kidneys can filter the blood with traces of Creatine in it, it is however advisable that people who have weak liver or kidneys refrain from heavy lifting.
- A common notion about Creatine consumption is that it causes dehydration of the body which leads to muscle cramps. It is a known fact that consuming water or energy drinks at proper intervals of workout keeps the body hydrated which eliminates the possibility of cramps unless and until you have overworked that particular muscle. Hence even when consuming Creatine to increase stamina, do not forget to keep yourself hydrated.
One of the most common myths about consuming Creatine is that it increases body weight. Creatine helps in retaining water content of the muscles. If a person consuming Creatine does not exhaust the energy provided by it, the energy will be converted and remain in some other form in the body which will lead to weight gain.
To sum it up, it is important that you understand consuming anything in excess is harmful anyway. So consult your trainer or physician before you start taking Creatine in order to lift heavy weights and look bulkier.