Creatine: general health benefits, nutritional supplements and the correct dose


If you look at the accessory corridor in the local pharmacy, you will likely find different forms of creatine such as dyes, powders, capsules and even beverage mixtures. That is because creatine is Popular fitness supplement For those who want to get muscles, strength and strength while improving performance. It is also made naturally in our bodies and helps our muscles with energy production when we practice them.

Although creatine can be found in smaller quantities in foods such as salmon, chicken, beef and pork, many people take supplements to get the benefits of fitness. However, did you know that creatine can also have other effects on both your mental and physical health? To find out more, we talked to experts about the benefits of creatine, weight effects, results, and how to choose the correct accessory.

Creatine benefits for your general health

Although creatine is popular in fitness space, it has other benefits that the average person can also benefit from. For example, creatine can help recover infection, improve structural muscles and has proven to have a positive effect on the brain.

Healthy tips

Gina Stangland, a Registered dietitian“The last in research, it has been proven that a daily dose of creatine can increase creatine levels in the brain by 6 %,” says a specialist in mathematical nutrition and a massive consultant. Part of this can be attributed to Increase phosphorous In the brain when taking creatine, which can help reduce cognitive neurological diseases. Phosphukritin is a substance created by the muscles of the skeleton Supporting a temporary store To maintain the form of energy created by cells called Edinosin Trippervas (ATP).

Stangland adds that creatine may even have it A positive effect on your mental health. She said: “It turns out that when there are smaller quantities of creatine and phosphorous in the brain, more severe depression rings occur,” she said. Therefore, taking creatine can increase this white matter, and as a result, improve your mental state.

Creatine has also been proven to have an effect on the mood, according to Strangland, by strengthening brain energy levels, especially for women. “They have themselves Lower creatine stores inside the brain – About 70 % to 80 %- compared to males, especially in the frontal lobe, so it is an area where females benefit in particular from taking creatine daily, “it is known that the frontal lobe of the brain controls the mood, perception, memory and emotion. The complement of creatine can positively affect this part of the brain.

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How to choose creatine supplement

As you can imagine, the supplement market has been overwhelmed with different products, many of which are doubtful in nature. This is because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Do not organize nutritional supplements For effectiveness or safety. You will meet three different types of creatine in your supplement store: mono -hydrate creatine, ethylester and Creatorine and hydrochloride creatine. Among the three, creatine monohydrate is the most popular version and has proven to help people achieve their fitness goals.

Although creatine is a common and well -known supplement, it is still important to be careful when choosing one. Chrissy Arsenaut, Nutritionist Adviser Registered in Trainer AcademyIt is advised, “I recommend that consumers search for a possible brand and test the third party when choosing creatine.”

Stangland says that the ingredients section should only read the monochidine creatine, and there should be no mention of preservatives, additives, folders, etc. that include other forms of creatine glue and beverage mixture.

How do you take creatine to support your fitness goals

Another thing to search for the creatine container is that one service is equal to 5 grams. “In the volume of serving, you want to see that one share is a 5 -gram scoop so that you can attract the recommended dose enough,” said Stangland.

The amount you should also take on your own goals. For example, if your goal is to build strength or muscle earning, Arsenaut recommends taking at least 3 to 5 grams of creatine IDsin daily. “For optimum absorption, it aims to 20 grams divided into four daily sockets of 5 grams with carbohydrates and protein.”

If weight loss is your main focus, you can follow the above -mentioned instructions. “Creatine can help maintain muscle mass while restricting calories, but listen to your body as you know better and adjust it as needed,” said Arsenol. For example, some people may face bloating and want to reduce the dose. On the other hand, if you don’t notice a difference in the “pump”, you may want to increase the dose.

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Increase creatine weight

In some cases, the common side effect is weight gain. However, weight gain is caused by temporary water retention that eventually aims.

“In the early stages of creatine supplements, there is a slight increase in the total body of the body when creatine is stored in increasing muscles,” said Stangland.

The good news is that it appeared only in the short term or in the first few days of the phase of loading creatine at 20 grams per day. Stangland said that after those early days, the total body water returns to its normal state and did not show any total weight increase due to creatine supplements.

Be careful to drink the recommended daily water when completing creatine.

Who should avoid creatine?

Although creatine is well -used and generally safe if you do not have any basic conditions, some people should be careful before adding them to their diet.

Artenaut recommends that people with liver or edema first speak to their doctor before taking creatine. “This is because creatine is made naturally in the kidneys and liver,” she said. In addition, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should also consult your doctor before completing with her.

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How much time to take creatine before you see the results

As with any supplement, creatine will not work overnight. Stangland recommends taking it for at least four weeks to see any actual changes. She said: “This time frame shows increases in creatine levels in the brain and/or increases in creatine levels in the muscles to improve strength and strength.”

Keep in mind that you may actually get some creatine in your diet because it is a natural substance in animal protein such as red meat, chicken and seafood. However, Stangland notes that to get enough creatine from food, one needs to eat two pounds of a slice or pounds of salmon every day.

If you don’t see any changes by taking creatine, it may be the so -called: not responding. Stangland said: “One may be unwilling because of his biological file if they have high levels of creatine before starting supplements, less than average fat -free mass and less than type 2 muscle fibers,” said Stangland. Other conditions in which you may not respond to include whether you use creatine for a long time or the levels of creatine in your muscles are no longer increasing as it was at the beginning.

Other conditions in which they may be non -respondent are if your diet is already heavy in animal protein. “This means that they are already getting enough creatine for optimal performance and have a high basic level.”

The bottom line

At the end of the day, creatine is attached and should not be the only thing that you focus on when working on fitness goals. Instead, deal with it like a tool that can help you achieve. In the end, a healthy diet, a balanced lifestyle, adequate sleep and exercise regularly will help you achieve long -term success, regardless of your goals.



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