Creatine

Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is found in the body, primarily in the muscles. It is also found in foods such as meat and fish, and can be made in the laboratory. Creatine is most commonly used for improving exercise performance and increasing muscle mass in athletes and older adults.

Overview

Creatine is involved in making the energy that muscles need to work. Supplements are used by athletes to increase energy production in the muscles, enhance athletic performance, and to allow a faster recovery. Creatine is also used for treating congestive heart failure, depression, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, diseases of the muscles and nerves, and many other conditions.

Usage

Creatine is likely effective for improving the athletic performance of young, healthy people during brief, high-intensity exercise such as sprinting. Because of this, creatine is often used as a dietary supplement to improve muscle strength and athletic performance. In the U.S., a majority of sports nutrition supplements, which total $2.7 billion in annual sales, contain creatine.

Safety and Side Effects

Creatine is likely safe when used long term. Creatine can cause stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle cramping. Creatine causes muscles to draw water from the rest of your body. Be sure to drink extra water to make up for this. Also, creatine is not very effective in improving strength or building muscle in people over 60 years old.

Interactions

Creatine might increase the risk of irregular heartbeat in some people. Since creatine might affect the heart, there is concern that it could worsen heart disease in people with heart disease. Creatine might also harm the kidney, liver, or heart function in people with kidney disease or liver disease.

See Also

• Amino Acid
• Muscle
• Meat
• Fish
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• Parkinson's Disease

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