There’s been an explosion of interest in creatine in recent years. Athletes have begun considering or are already using creatine monohydrate supplements. What’s up with creatine monohydrate anyway? Why is it becoming so popular? What is it exactly and how does it work?
Creatine is actually a naturally occurring organic acid that helps give energy to our cells. It is primarily found in skeletal muscles, but can also be found in the food we eat. Meat and fish are particularly rich sources of creatine. Creatine monohydrate is the form most frequently used in supplements. Supplementation with creatine gained popularity when research revealed that it could enhance physical performance. Athletes all over the world then started using creatine supplements and pretty soon, there was a whole new market for these supplements. They were being patronized not only by athletes, but also by bodybuilders, wrestlers, and basically any person who wanted to improve his physical performance. Creatine works by increasing the amount of energy that is available to our muscles. Our cells’ energy is stored in ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules. Creatine does not increase the actual amount of ATP available in our muscles. Instead, it increases the number of times the ATP molecules can be reused during physical activity.
So, are there any creatine side effects? Yes, and it would be prudent to always keep these in mind if you ever decide to take creatine supplements. It can cause dehydration (so better be sure you’re well-hydrated), gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or flatulence, kidney problems for people with existing kidney disease, and possible exacerbation of asthma.
I guess the take home message is that if you do decide to start taking creatine supplements, you better understand everything about it so that you will be jumping on the creatine bandwagon with your eyes wide open.
As we grow older, the body decreases in hormone production such as testosterone and estrogen. You physician may prescribe hormone alternative