As new advancements are being made in the field of bodybuilding supplements, one particular supplement has continually maintained it's position as an excellent addition to any form of training, and that's Creatine. Creatine, not to be confused with Creatinine, is capable of increasing cellular volume, strength, muscle mass, prolonged endurance, as well as shortening recovery time
Considering there are lots of different supplements out there on the market today that utilize a variety of substances, lets look at some of the components and see how they relate to creatine.
Creatine and the 3 Amino Acids
When it comes to increasing muscle mass, lots of people turn to increasing their protein through whole foods such as soy or a protein supplement, such as Whey protein. Whey protein is good at supplementing the intensive athletes body with extra protein that is essential in muscle synthesis. But it is just that, raw protein. Protein is then converted into amino acids in the body for muscular synthesis. Creatine itself is made up of three amino acids, both essential and non essential: Arginine, Glycine and Methionine.
These three amino acids are created in the body for fuel for the muscles. Methionine, like Lysine, is an essential amino acid that are bodies absolutely need but do not create on there own. Therefor we have to turn to outside sources to find it. Other amino acids like, Glutamine, is considered to be non essential, like Arginine and Glycine. It is not to say that these amino acids do not play as important of role as the essential ones. It only means that they are produced in our body. It's the essential ones that we must get from outside sources. Because amino acids play such a vital role in our intramuscular structure, it makes sense that in order to increase fuel to your muscles, you would want to supplement with something such as Creatine.
Give Your Body Enough Fuel
From the studies of enzymes, to probiotics, to different lactates, dipeptides, and glucosomines, there is a chemical component to everything that is going on when we are working out, and finding the right way to make sure our body's are getting the necessary fuel is essential to proper muscular development. If our body's don't get enough fuel, then we start to pull off of our reserve. This reserve comes from the very muscles that we are trying to develop when working out. Every bit of protein, fat, and carbohydrate that we consume has hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen in it. It's how we process it, as well as the different photons and neutrons composed in each nucleus that matters. Supplements like Creatine work phenomenally at helping us make the most of every thing we consume.
Essential Amino Acids
During the process of conversion of Energy the body also produces lactic acid. Lactic acid, which was once thought to be a byproduct of over exertion, has now been learned that it is actually a fuel for the body and it is how we keep different elements such as nitrogen in check. Our bodies produce many different acids, lactic acid, glutamic acid, aspartic acid ( n. acetylaspartate is synthesized from this particular acid), just to name a few. But it is the essential amino acids that we really need to boost our drive. Creatine works by giving us three of the most effective amino acids in the promotion of muscle growth and strength.
Advance Cellular Growth
Other products have been made on the market which have also worked to grow body mass, such as HgH, (human growth hormone), dhea, and pro hormonal / testosterone boosters. Other products, such as the amino acid glutamine, have been utilized for it's ability to provide energy. Coenzymes, like nadh and Co q10, which help produce energy in the mitochondria of the cell have led to the advancement of our introspection into cellular growth and new pathways for metabolic optimization. But no product has shown such extreme biological markers in the advancement of cell size and muscle growth as what occurs through the supplementation of Creatine.
Many in the industry believe that all athletes, will eventually be on some form of creatine supplement to enhance their game. Because it is in nearly all animal products that we consume, similar to biotin, it is not something that has been considered a drug, or detrimental to an athlete's adherence to performance enhancing drug regulations.
Thankfully, for everybody's health, there has been a strong upward motion toward the tendency to find more natural healthy ways to supplement our bodies, as opposed to using highly chemically engineered products. Now we have supplements that are easier on the body's physical and mental state of being. Where once there were horrible stimulants we now have a healthy alternative. For example, we now have supplements like relora, a natural aid in weight loss.
Throughout time people have turned to things that occur naturally in our world to find some of the best supplements around, and many others that have raised eyebrows. Royal Jelly, is produced by honey bees to feed their larvae and has been found to have many beneficial qualities for us ranging from anti-inflammatory attributes to fertility enhancing elements in both men and women.
Other examples of products that are we have found in nature to be beneficial to us on a supplemental nature include: Flax seed, which has been shown to be very beneficial for its quality fiber, is a wonderful at assisting the cardiovascular system, and spirulina, which has exhibited high amounts of antioxidant qualities and is continually being studied for new health benefits.
Even melatonin, a chemical that is found in the brain, when supplemented helps tell the brain that it's time for sleep. Others supplements like shark cartilage, was circulated with lots of hype that it could fight off cancer, and most of this hype came from a book that was released that alluded to sharks not getting cancer. It doesn't take much for a lot of hype to surround a product, especially when the results that are being hypothesized are potentially life saving.
Stable, Reliable Supplementation
Occasionally, as is the case with Creatine, a supplement comes along that really does greatly enhance our lives. It's not a crazy whacked out stimulant, like ephedra, that proved to be detrimental to blood pressure levels and the heart. Creatine is a naturally synthesized chemical that our body produces and utilizes. Another similar chemical that we produce is phosphocreatine which is released in the brain and is like Creatine's cousin acting as brain food similar to inositol. Scientific developments have paved the way for the supplement market, making muscle building and lean bodies a study that is much more than just simply consuming lots of protein and working out a lot.
The face of supplements has definitely been changing as new advancements are made. Scientific research has proven the health benefits of many things. B-vitamin complexes including nutrients like Choline can now be found in supplements along with Omega 3 fatty acids. Antioxidants have become common language. We have discovered that foods rich in leutine, found in Green leafy vegetables, extremely long lists of beneficial qualities. As our research continues we have found other plants like the French maritime pine tree, that gives us pycnogenol, an antioxidant that is now available in over 600 different dietary supplements. The great thing is when you find a substance, especially one that is naturally occurring, the benefits that supplements all different aspects of our overall being are astonishing. By looking outside of our selves, and studying what different things are in the world around us, some of the best scientific discoveries have been made.
Our awareness of the different benefits of creatine are continually growing. Studies are being done that are examining Creatine's role on collagen, which could be beneficial to many diabetics. It's not to say that creatine is some sort of hand's down miracle supplement, but it has shown many benefits even outside of the field of bodybuilding and competitive athletes while providing little to no side effects.
This is the definitive supplement that you should incorporate into any workout routine if you haven't already. Creatine hasn't risen to it's fame based on hype, it's been based on results.
Many different versions of the product are available on the market today. Traditionally it was viewed that the powder format was the best means, but now with new technological advancements in the processing and quality of the creatine, it is now possible to get the same, if not better, results from the capsule.
One thing is for certain, no matter which format you decide to take, get Creatine in you and you are going to see results. Increase lean muscle mass, improve your overall performance at the gym, and shorten the recovery time after intense training, with this supplement.