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Whats New 2003
The
benefits of Creatine
In the previous segment I discussed the ways in which
you could enhance your exercise experience by taking
certain nutrients.
Recently I was asked about the benefits of
creatine and whether this supplement is dangerous.
I’m aware that this nutrient is used quite
extensively by those who workout regularly but there is
a concern about the possible dangers of taking creatine.
Firstly lets find out what creatine is and how
this substance works.
Creatine is a non-protein form of amino acid and
can be made from the amino acids L-arginine, glycine and
L-methionine. It
is found in skeletal muscle, the heart and the brain
where it is stored in the form of phosphocreatine, which
is a major energy source in the body.
In other words creatine can provide you with
extra energy and there is also evidence that this
nutrient helps to build muscle tissue.
There is an article in the February 2003 edition
of the Journal of Applied Physiology indicating that of
all the supplements used to improve strength and build
muscle only creatine and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate
were shown to make a difference.
Creatine works best for short-term, high
intensity exercise such as weight lifting or cycle
sprints but doesn’t appear to augment performance in
swimming or jogging.
Creatine can also cause some weight gain due to
water retention, which is over and above the weight gain
that may be derived from the building of muscle.
As
far as adverse consequences are concerned the deaths of
three American college wrestlers had been linked to the
use of creatine however it was subsequently discovered
that their deaths were due to severe dehydration and
renal failure and not creatine.
In fact long-term studies show that creatine does
not impair kidney function in healthy athletes. There
are suggestions that creatine can lead to nausea,
diarrhoea, muscle cramps and indigestion although a
study done at the Appalachian State University in the
USA and reported in 2001 found no increased incidence of
muscle cramps or other side effects with this nutrient.
For those who wish to improve their performance
and muscle mass even further, combining creatine with a
protein powder together with colostrum and whey protein
will provide you with added benefits as far as building
lean tissue and muscle strength are concerned.
What’s
even more fascinating is the evidence that creatine can
be used to treat a host of medical conditions.
Experimental work indicates that creatine may
help with the management of muscular dystrophies,
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease,
Parkinson’s disease, heart failure and Alzheimer’s
dementia. Herpes
infections can also be treated with creatine.
see
archives
Spa
Chakra Wellness Centre
The
Wharf
Woolloomooloo
Sydney
2011
02
93680888
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