What does it do You may have heard of creatine. It’s recommended by sports scientists as one of the top three supplements for workouts.
The Mayo Clinic states that creatine can be found in your muscles and brain. Creatine can be used to produce energy for intense activities like sprinting and lifting heavy objects. Creatine is used by many athletes to increase strength and muscle.
Experts and researchers agree on this: A small study published in Nutrients in June 2020 found that young, physically active adults who took creatine supplementation during resistance training for six weeks significantly increased their leg and chest press as well as total strength, compared to the placebo group.
A second study published in November 2018 Nutrients found that creatine supplementation increased muscle strength and reduced muscle damage after just four weeks of training.
Creatine is well tolerated by most athletes. Dr. Spillane emphasizes that creatine has a high safety profile and is one of the most researched sports supplements. “This is something we will typically give to anyone.”
Although research is still lacking on creatine’s effectiveness, Spillane has found that about 70% of people use it.
If you are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), caffeine or diuretics (Tagamet), drugs that affect your kidneys, or probenecid (which treats gout), consult your doctor before you take creatine. Although it is generally safe to use, side effects include weight gain, muscle strains, cramps, upset stomach, and liver dysfunction.
This post was written by Darryl Johnson, Co-Owner of Apex performance. At Apex performance we are a community of highly trained experts looking to provide performance enhancement and a permanent lifestyle change for our clients in a fun and interactive environment. Members can take advantage of one of the best gym in Tampa, small group classes, and specialized courses for a wide variety of athletics, sports training, and body goals!
