Creatine monohydrate increases phosphocreatine stores in muscles, providing rapid energy for high-intensity activities.
Creatine monohydrate is a well-researched and effective supplement used to enhance muscle strength, power, and growth. It primarily works by increasing phosphocreatine stores in muscles, which aids in rapid ATP regeneration during high-intensity activities. While generally safe, it may cause water retention and mild gastrointestinal distress in some individuals.
Key Information
Inside Body Harmful Score
Common Dosage
3-5g daily
Source Type
hybrid
Production Process
Creatine monohydrate is primarily synthesized in a laboratory setting through a chemical reaction between sarcosine and cyanamide. The resulting crystal is then purified, dried, and milled into a fine powder.
Use Type
Inside BodyPotential Benefits
Enhances mental processes involved in thinking, learning, and remembering, including memory, attention, focus, and processing speed. Benefits range from improved mental clarity to significant enhancements in cognitive abilities, especially in those with cognitive decline.
Muscle growth (hypertrophy) is primarily driven by resistance training, adequate protein intake, and sufficient caloric surplus, leading to increased muscle size and strength. Hormonal factors, rest, and genetics influence the rate and extent of this process.
Strength increase refers to the enhanced ability of muscles to exert force, resulting from muscle adaptations through resistance training, proper nutrition, and adequate rest. This improvement benefits daily activities, athletic performance, and overall physical health.
Anaerobic performance enhancement improves the body's ability to generate energy rapidly without oxygen, leading to increased power, endurance, and faster recovery during high-intensity activities. This results in enhanced speed, strength, and athletic capability.
Enhanced cognitive function improves mental processes like memory, focus, and processing speed by protecting brain cells and balancing neurotransmitters. This leads to improvements in recall, concentration, mental clarity, and problem-solving abilities.
Creatine increases muscle strength by boosting phosphocreatine stores, leading to faster ATP regeneration during high-intensity exercise. This allows for greater power output and promotes muscle growth over time.
Increased muscle mass (hypertrophy) occurs through resistance training, hormonal response, and dietary protein intake, especially when combined with creatine, which enhances protein synthesis and cell volumization.
Creatine supplementation boosts exercise performance by increasing phosphocreatine, improving ATP regeneration for enhanced power, reduced fatigue, and better endurance during high-intensity activities. This benefit is especially helpful during short bursts of repeated high-intensity exercise.
Increased strength is the enhanced ability of muscles to exert force, leading to improved lifting capacity, increased repetitions, and greater power output. This results from muscle growth, improved neural drive, and efficient muscle activation.
Enhances athletic performance in high-intensity exercise by boosting power output, reducing fatigue, and increasing muscle endurance through improved oxygen utilization, lactic acid buffering, and neuromuscular efficiency.
Possible Side Effects
Digestive issues include a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, stemming from causes such as medication, food, or underlying conditions. Persistent symptoms require medical evaluation.
Water retention, or edema, is the buildup of excess fluid in the body, causing swelling, bloating, and potential discomfort. It can be triggered by various factors including hormonal changes, medication, or underlying health conditions.
Gastrointestinal distress involves digestive discomfort like bloating, diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Severity varies based on individual factors and can be triggered by irritation or inflammation of the digestive tract.
Creatine supplementation is sometimes associated with muscle cramps, likely due to electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, or increased exercise intensity. The link is not definitively proven, and individual susceptibility varies.
Stomach cramps involve painful abdominal muscle contractions causing discomfort or severe pain, often with bloating and altered bowel habits. Causes range from diet and stress to infections or underlying conditions, typically resolving on their own.
Scientific Evidence
Buford TW, Kreider RB, Stout JR, Greenwood M, Campbell B, Spano M, Ziegenfuss T, Lopez H, Landis J, Antonio J. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: creatine supplementation and exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2007 Aug 3;4:6. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-4-6. PMID: 17908288; PMCID: PMC2048496. Rawson ES, Volek JS. Effects of creatine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and weightlifting performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2003 Nov;17(4):822-31. PMID: 14638305. Lanhers C, Pereira B, Naughton G, Trousselard M, Lesage FX, Dutheil F. Creatine Supplementation and Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2015 Dec;45(12):1763-78. doi: 10.1007/s40279-015-0386-5. PMID: 26400292.
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