Creatine
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27 Servings
10G Creatine‡
5G Aminos‡
Faster Muscle Growth
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30 Servings
3G Creapure® Creatine‡
Boost Strength
90 Chewable Tablets
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80 Servings
5G Creatine‡
Increase muscle power
Ultra-pure
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50 Servings
2.5G Creapure® Creatine Monohydrate‡
Ultra-Pure
100 Veggie Capsules
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120 Servings
750MG Con-cret® Creatine HCI‡
750MG Free-Acid Creatine‡
Enhanced size & strength
‡Per Serving
FAQS
Frequently asked questions about creatine
What is creatine?
Creatine is a natural compound synthesized in your body to energize muscles. It forms from amino acids in the liver, pancreas, and kidneys and is vital for muscle function. Once created, it travels through the bloodstream to muscles, which store about 95% of it.
Creatine fuels high-intensity exercises like weightlifting or sprinting by converting into phosphocreatine. This transformation aids in recycling ATP in muscle tissue with the help of creatine kinase.
How does creatine work?
Once creatine enters the body or is produced within, it binds with a phosphate molecule to become creatine phosphate. ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) is the body's primary energy source, driving various bodily processes. During the breakdown of carbs, proteins, or fats, ATP is generated. It functions by hydrolyzing a phosphate group, releasing energy used for processes like muscle contraction. This transforms ATP into ADP (adenosine di-phosphate), and is onverted back into ATP.
Creatine plays a crucial role in this process by donating its phosphate group to ADP, replenishing ATP stores. Ultimately, creatine enhances ATP availability, facilitating longer and more intense training.
What does Creatine do?
Creatine, from food or supplements, boosts phosphocreatine (PCr) in muscles, aiding ATP production. PCr donates phosphate to create more ATP, keeping muscles energized during intense workouts. This ATP-creatine-phosphocreatine system is crucial for high-intensity exercises like weightlifting and sprinting. Creatine enhances ATP levels, helping muscles perform at their best, making it a valuable fitness supplement.
How much creatine should you take?
For effective creatine loading, take about 5g four times a day (20g split into 4 even dosages) for 5-7 days.. This helps saturate muscle stores quickly. While it may seem like a marketing ploy, this loading method is scientifically grounded. Creatine serves as a rapid energy source for short bursts of activity, like weightlifting. Supplementing with creatine increases the duration of this energy system by saturating muscle stores. Research from the 1990s and subsequent studies support loading for performance benefits. After loading, maintain stores via 2-3 grams per day.
When to take creatine?
Whether it is pre-exercise (several hours before or immediately prior to training sessions) or post-exercise (immediately following or several hours after training sessions) creatine ingestion is shown to produce similar muscle benefits in young and older adults. That means muscle saturation will take place regardless of when you take it, so choose the time that suits you best. Creatine during rest days is also beneficial but consume it with carbohydrates to enhance its effectiveness as a muscle cell transporter, especially after a week of high-intensity activities.
Read more on When to Take Creatine?
How to load Creatine?
Creatine "loading" involves a short-term, high-dose regimen, like 5g taken four times daily for five-7days. Although opinions vary, this practice has scientific backing. Creatine serves as a rapid energy source for the phosphagen energy system during brief, intense activities like weightlifting, lasting about 8-10 seconds. Loading saturates muscle creatine stores, enhancing training benefits.
Research dating back to the 1990s, shows a 1020-40% muscle creatine increase after six days at 20g/day (Greenhaff, P.L., Bodin, K., Soderlund, K., & Hultman, E. (1994). Effect of oral creatine supplementation on skeletal muscle phosphocreatine resynthesis. American Journal of Physiology—Endocrinology and Metabolism, 266(5), E725–E730.). Subsequent studies aimed to shorten loading periods, with a 2009 study revealing significant performance improvements after a 5-day creatine loading phase. Most researchers agree that creatine loading is an effective strategy to maximize its benefits. Following loading, a daily 3-5g dose maintains full muscle cell capacity.
Read More on Loading Creatine
How to take creatine?
Creatine supplements are known to enhance energy supply for muscles during exercise. An effective daily dose is recommended at 3-5 grams of creatine. Creatine monohydrate is the widely studied form and can be incorporated into various products like energy bars, capsules, or tablets. Ensure adequate fluid intake when consuming creatine; for instance, mix 3 grams of creatine monohydrate in a glass of water to maximize its benefits.
How does Creatine enhance muscle performance?
Creatine phosphate donates its phosphate to ADP, regenerating ATP, which fuels muscle contractions and increases the capacity to do work. This improves training intensity and recovery, backed by research.
What is Creatine Phosphate?
Creatine Phosphate is an organic compound in muscle fibers that enzymatically breaks down to produce ATP, the energy source for muscle contraction.
What is Adenosine TriPhosphate (ATP)?
ATP is an organic compound in muscles that, when enzymatically broken down, yields energy for muscle contraction. Creatine enhances the body's ability to produce ATP within muscle fibers.
Can Creatine Make Me Lift More?
Yes! Creatine allows you to train at a higher intensity and recover faster, which can lead to strength improvements over time.
Is Creatine Safe?
Yes, creatine is a natural amino acid present in the human body. Research suggests it has no negative side effects at recommended levels of supplementation and when used as directed on the label by healthy adults.
Can Creatine Become Toxic with Long-Term Use?
There's no conclusive evidence to suggest that creatine becomes toxic with long-term use. Most healthy individuals can safely consume 5 or more grams per day. There is no compelling scientific evidence that the short- or long-term use of creatine monohydrate (up to 30 g/day for 5 years) has any detrimental effects on otherwise healthy individuals or among clinical populations who may benefit from creatine supplementation.
Where Is Creatine Found Naturally?
While creatine is naturally occurring in the body, the typical daily intake from food sources is minimal. Vegetarians may benefit from supplementation, as they usually avoid rich sources like beef.
When Is the Best Time to Take Creatine?
For best results, take creatine after your workout on training days to replenish depleted stores. You can also split the dose between pre- and post-workout for higher intensity workouts.
Read more on When to take Creatine?
Does Creatine Cause Water Retention?
Creatine causes cell volumization, not water retention. This means more water is stored within muscle cells, making them appear bigger and firmer, rather than causing the bloating associated with sodium ingestion.
How Does Creatine Help Muscle Grow?
Creatine enhances muscle growth by promoting intense lifting through the recycling of ATP, as well as buffering lactic acid build-up, which leads to longer, more effective workouts. This ensures a sustained energy supply during intense workouts. Moreover, creatine accelerates muscle recovery by activating satellite cells, aiding in the healing of micro-tears formed during exercise. It also enhances anabolic hormones that contribute to tissue repair and growth. Furthermore, creatine boosts water content in muscle cells, potentially promoting muscle growth.
What does creatine do for women?
While creatine has been traditionally associated with male athletes, women can also benefit significantly from its inclusion in their daily regimen. In fact, research suggests that creatine when combined with exercise is beneficial for recovery and performance.
Read more on creatine for women
What is creatine monohydrate?
Creatine monohydrate stands as the most effective performance enhancement supplement, particularly for those aiming to enhance high-intensity exercise capacity and increase exercise-induced lean body mass. Creatine's purpose is to provide sustained improvements in exercise quality and performance, vital for both training sessions and actual game or competition days. This supplement fosters better workouts, leading to ongoing muscular enhancements. Additionally, creatine monohydrate's safety is well-established and offers recovery advantages for individuals across various age groups. It's a reliable aid for those seeking continuous progress in their physical performance and body composition.
How long does creatine take to work?
Unlike immediate workout results, creatine's impact is not instant. Achieving the advantages of supplemental creatine demands consistency and commitment. The timeline for experiencing creatine's effects on saturating levels in your muscle typically spans seven to 28 days. {20g saturates quickly within 5-7 days or can do 3g a day which gets you to the same level at 28 days. Supported by Hultman, E., Söderlund, K., Timmons, J.A., Cederblad, G., & Greenhaff, P.L. (1996). Muscle creatine loading in men. Journal of Applied Physiology, 81(1), 232–237.}
This duration hinges on your initial creatine levels and daily dosaging. The more unwavering your routine, the greater the likelihood of attaining your desired results. Patience and steadfastness are essential as creatine steadily enhances your energy and performance over time.
Incorporating creatine into your training and supplementation regimen can have a positive impact on your fitness journey by enhancing performance and supporting muscle growth. Remember to stay hydrated when using creatine to maximize its benefits.
