Creatine - what it does, effects, side effects, dosage, opinions

The name creatine comes from the Greek word kreos, meaning 'meat'. It is often associated as the favourite supplement of muscular gym-goers with necks like Canadian sequoias. Wrongly so! Creatine is also a great supplement for training women and... seniors.

With experienced experts, I will introduce you to what creatine is and is not, and why it is worth supplementing - not just for muscle and strength gains. 

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See also:

• L-carnitine
• Caffeine
• White protein isolate (WPI)
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• Protein Concentrate (WPC)
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• Protein hydrolysate (WPH)
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• Protein nutrient
• BCAA - does it work or not?
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Creatine - what is it?

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Creatine is an amino acid found mainly in skeletal muscle (about 95%) and in the brain and testesand. It is produced in the kidney, liver and pancreas. It consists of three amino acids: methionine, glycine and arginineand.

How does creatine work?

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Creatine is a natural substance that is converted into phosphocreatine in the body . It helps to produce a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP provides energy to your muscles . Creatine is used as an anabolic supplement to promote muscle growth and post-workout recovery.

Creatine is mainly obtained from animal products such as beef, chicken, pork and fish. An average diet provides 1-2 g of creatine per dayand. The body produces approximately 1-2 g of creatine per day .

Is creatine a steroid?

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No, creatine is not a steroid or any illegal doping. The physiological and performance effects of anabolic steroids and creatine may be similar, but their mechanisms of action and legal classification are differentand. Steroids cause a number of dangerous side effectsand.

Creatine - what does it do?

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Creatine supports the development of muscle tissue and increases strength (up to 5-15%), aids post-workout recovery and reduces DOMS (aka soreness), giving you extra motivation for further exercise, body shape and strength developmentand. It also supports brain function, improves performance and has antidepressant potential.

It is one of the best studied dietary supplements in the world and has an excellent safety profile.

What creatine is for and what creatine does without or with training:

Promotes muscle development

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Does creatine build muscle? Yes, creatine supplementation with strength training contributes to the growth of muscle tissue. As well as affecting ATP energy production, creatine can improve muscle cell function in other waysand.

It increases the water content of muscle cells and the concentration of IGF-1, a key hormone for muscle growth. This, in turn, triggers several processes that lead to protein formation, creating new muscle mass .

Interesting research

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• In a 12-week study involving strength-trained men, creatine increased muscle fibre growth 2-3 times more than training alone. In addition, the men performed better in bench pressing and squats (bench presses)and.
• A study involving people over 65 years of age found that creatine caused a significant increase in strength and muscle fibre area .
• A review of several hundred studies found that creatine supplementation for a minimum of three weeks combined with twice-weekly strength training increased muscle tissue growth .

Promotes muscle strength development

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Research suggests that creatine can increase muscle power and strength by up to 5-15%. It enables you to do more work per training session, which is a key factor in long-term muscle growthand.

Interesting research

• In one study, creatine supplementation improved the performance of men strength training five times a week for four weeks. They increased repetitions and weights in bench press and squatsand.
• The study also found that creatine supplementation increased the number of repetitions and weights in bench press and squats.
• In another study, a group of men improved their weightlifting score in forearm bending after six weeks of creatine supplementation. The subjects lifted 15% more than before the period of creatine intakeand.
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• A study involving young women showed that creatine supplementation (20 g/day for four days followed by 5 g/day) during 10 weeks of resistance training significantly increased muscle mass and strength concentrations compared to placebo .
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The review of 250 studies compared the most popular supplements to support muscle building and strength. The analysis included organic compounds such as HMB, chromium, DHEA and androstenedione. Creatine showed the greatest benefits of alland.

Promotes brain function

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The brain is said to be the most important 'muscle' and we should 'train' it to function properly. Creatine increases phosphocreatine stores in the brain, which may promote its 'fitness' and reduce symptoms of neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and ischaemic stroke. In addition, research suggests that it supports cognitive function in older peopleand.

Interesting research

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Despite the many potential benefits of creatine supplementation in supporting the treatment of neurological diseases, the majority of studies to date have been conducted on animals. 

There are, however, several promising human studies that suggest a positive effect of creatine on the neurological system:

• A study in healthy, adult humans suggests that creatine supplementation can improve short-term memory and cognitive function (e.g. reasoning, reaction time)and.
• A study involving children with brain injury showed a 70% reduction in fatigue and a 50% reduction in dizziness .
• A study involving vegetarians showed a 50% improvement in memory test scores and a 20% improvement in intelligence test scores .

Improves body performance

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Research suggests that creatine may improve performance in high-intensity training (e.g. Sprint or HIIT exercises). An extensive review of the work in this area found that up to 70% of the studies conducted showed a positive effect of creatine supplementationand.

Interesting research

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• A group of handball players took part in a test that involved eight 40-metre maximal sprints with a 25-second rest period in between. After five days of creatine supplementation at 15g per day, their performance improvedand.
• A study involving sprinters showed that creatine supplementation improved their performance in 100m and 6 x 60m interval running. The improved performance suggests increased availability of energy substrates to perform the effort, possibly as a result of an increase in creatine phosphate in skeletal muscleand.
• In a study involving swimmers, creatine supplementation at 25g per day for four days showed improved performance in maximal interval sessions .
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Aids recovery

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Active people who supplement creatine during training experience fewer musculoskeletal injuries. In addition, creatine has an effect on speeding up recovery time after injury and less muscle atrophy after immobilisation (e.g. after an injury)and.

Influences on blood sugar levels

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Research suggests that creatine supplementation has the potential to alter glucose metabolism. This promotes a healthier metabolic profile. This is because this supplement increases the function ofand:

• GLUT - a glucose transporter responsible for insulin-regulated glucose uptake into fat and muscle cells).
• AMPK - an enzyme involved in the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism.
• AMPK - an enzyme involved in the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism.

Shows antidepressant potential

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Many scientific evidence shows that depressive disorders affect brain structure, function and even volume. Clinical studies suggest that creatine may have an antidepressant effect by affecting hormones and neurotransmittersand. In what way?"

Chicken, rice and creatine. Is creatine only for athletes?

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No, creatine can support more than just muscle tissue growth. Research suggests its potential to support the nervous system, which is important especially in the context of older people at risk of various neurodegenerative diseases, among othersand.

Sarcopenia (loss of skeletal muscle and its function) is also a problem for older people. Creatine supplementation, combined with exercise, helps to maintain muscle function, adds the nutritionist.

Creatine supplementation can help to maintain muscle function.

Creatine - product overview

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Creatine can be purchased in various forms and formulations. You can choose between powder or capsules. Here is a brief overview of creatine supplements.

Trec CM3 powder

• Type: creatine malate
• Form: powder
• Package: 250 g
• Amount of creatine per serving: 3.5 g
• Method of use: 2 servings daily
• Price: PLN 138.27

See price

Product description

A well-soluble form of malate that does not cause water retention in the body. Available in four flavors.

Olimp Creatine 1250 Mega Caps

• Type: creatine monohydrate
• Form: capsules
• Package: 120 capsules
• Amount of creatine per serving: 1.25 mg
• Use: 8 servings daily
• Price: 73 PLN

See price

Product description

The capsules are precise in dosage and convenient - you can put them in a container. Enough for 50 days of supplementation.

BioTech USA Creatine Monohydrate

• Type: creatine monohydrate
• Form: powder
• Package: 300 g
• Amount of creatine per serving: 3.4 g
• Method of use: 1 portion per day
• Price: 92,65 zł

See price - AmazonSee price - Muscle Power

Product description

The capsules are precise in dosage and convenient - you can put them in a container. Enough for 50 days of supplementation.

Important: In August 2023, mercury was detected in SFD's creatine. Independent research carried out on the initiative of Bartłomiej Szkutnik of Fit Reviews found that the mercury standard in creatine products was exceeded by 1300%. If you have lower products, please contact the manufacturer for a refund.

• SFD Creatine 200 cap    1E3.T00    07/2024
• SFD Creatine 200 cap    4E2.T00    07/2024
• ALLNUTRITION Creatine muscle max 500 g natural    1E5.T24    09/2024
• ALLNUTRITION Creatine muscle max 500 g natural    4E2.T24    07/2024
• ALLNUTRITION Creatine muscle max 500 g natural    3E4.T24    08/2024
• SFD Creatine 250 g natural    2E3.T24    07/2024
• SFD Creatine 200 cap    PE1.T00    06/2024

Creatine types

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Creatine comes in several different forms. Which are they and which one is best absorbed?

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Creatine monohydrate

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This is a combination of creatine and water molecules. This form is the best studied and is more stable, faster digested and more effective at increasing creatine levels in the muscles than some of the more modern varietiesand. In addition, it is the cheapest form of this supplement, increasing its advantage over other types.

Creatine malate

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This form is also known as TCM (tri creatine malate). It is a compound made from creatine monohydrate and malic acid. The addition of malic acid makes this form better tolerated by people with sensitive stomachs. Malate does not cause water retention (stagnation) as monohydrate does.

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Creatine citrate

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This form (tri-creatine citrate) is a combination of one creatine molecule and three citric acid molecules. This form also provides an effective increase in lean muscle mass, but deprives the retention that can occur after the consumption of creatine monohydrate.

Creatine citrate is a form of creatine monohydrate.

Other types of creatine

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Other forms of creatine include, for exampleand.:

• ethyl ester, 
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• nitrate, 
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• hydrochloride, 
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• gluconate, 
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• α-ketoglutarate, 
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• orotate, 
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These forms are not used as often in scientific studies and are not as well validated. Most studies suggest that ingestion of these forms has less physiological impact on intramuscular creatine stores and performance than monohydrate.

Creatine for the body.

Creatine for women - does such a thing even exist?

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There is no dedicated form of this supplement for women. Many of them worry that creatine supplementation will affect them negatively, causing too much muscle growth or the appearance of male characteristics. Nothing could be further from the truth. Creatine is a good supplement for women of all ages.

Interestingly, women may have higher intramuscular creatine concentrations probably due to lower skeletal muscle massand. This may explain women's greater exercise endurance and faster post-workout recovery .

Creatine - how to use?

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To achieve full muscle saturation it is recommended to use: 3-5 g of creatine per day or 0.3 g of creatine per kg of body weight for one week, followed by 0.03 g per kg of body weight for 4-6 weeks (known as the loading phase).

The body's requirement for creatine

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Our body needs to supplement approximately 1-3 g of creatine per day to maintain normal (non-supplemented) creatine stores depending on the amount of muscle massand. About half of the daily creatine requirement is obtained from diet. The remaining amount of creatine is mainly synthesised in the liver, kidneys from arginine and glycine .

Recommended dosage

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It is usually recommended to take 3-5 g of creatine once a day, regardless of the time of day. Such supplementation will increase creatine stores in the muscles in 3-4 weeks. Creatine can be taken daily, no need to take breaks in supplementationand.

Research has shown many health benefits in athletes who took creatine daily, over a long period of time. There is no evidence to support detrimental side effects in people who consume high doses of creatine (as much as 30 grams/day) for up to 5 years.

Creatine has been shown to have many health benefits.

See also: Protein before or after training? 'Boar' advises

Cycle - loading phase. Does it make sense?"

The so-called loading cycle consists of several days of higher creatine intake to saturate the muscles with it more quicklyand. For 5-7 days, 0.3g of creatine per kg of body weight is consumed. This is followed by a maintenance dose of 0.03 g per 1 kg body weight for 4-6 weeks.

Scientific evidence shows that it is not necessary to 'load up' with creatine. Daily doses of creatine (i.e. 3-5g/day) are effective in increasing intramuscular creatine stores and muscle performanceand.

Does creatine have side effects?

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In some people, taking creatine on an empty stomach can cause gastrointestinal upset such as nausea and diarrhoeaand. This can be avoided by consuming creatine with a meal or by choosing a form other than monohydrate - such as malate. The only clinically relevant side effect reported in the scientific literature is weight gain . 

Does creatine make you fat?

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Weight gain during supplementation is related to the 'hydration' of muscle tissue. Creatine is taken up into the muscles by the creatine transporter, which is sodium-dependent. Because of the presence of this mineral, water will also be taken into the muscle. Therefore, weight gain should not be a concern - it is not associated with fat gainand.

Does creatine harm the liver and kidneys, for example?

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Creatine supplementation has no significant side effects in healthy people who take  a dose tailored to their needs, body weight and the manufacturer's guidelines. Individuals with kidney or liver conditions should consult a healthcare practitioner before starting supplementation.

Creatine contraindications

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Creatine should not be usedand:

• Pregnant and lactating women, due to insufficient evidence on the safety of creatine use during this period of a woman's life.
• Pregnant and lactating women.
• Persons with diagnosed bipolar disorder, as creatine may exacerbate mania (increased mood, hyperactivity, increased mental activity).
• Persons with diagnosed bipolar disorder, as creatine may exacerbate mania (increased mood, hyperactivity, increased mental activity).
• People with diagnosed kidney or liver disease should consult a doctor before starting supplementation.
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Creatine in food

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Creatine is found in many foods. Where is most of itand?

Natural sources of creatine

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• herring: 6.6-9.5 g/kg
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• pork: 5.1 g/kg
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• beef: 4.4 g/kg
• beef: 4.4 g/kg
• tuna: 4 g/kg
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• chicken: 3.4 g/kg
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• rabbit: 3.4 g/kg
• liver: 0.2 g/kg

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Expert opinions - is it worth taking creatine?

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What do experienced experts think about creatine supplementation?

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See also:

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• Citrulline, the pump for your muscles
• Collagen for athletes - does it work?
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• Omega-3 in an athlete's diet: benefits
• Vegetable protein
• Casein - a bedtime protein
• Adaptogens
• Berberine
• Piperine
• Ashwagandha
• Ashwagandha dosage
• Curcuma
• Curcuma tablets

I have been supplementing with creatine for three years. I have noticed gains in both strength and muscle volume. As well as breaking records at the gym, I can also carry more shopping nets.

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