| To the fine folks at NutritionalSupplements.com:
Many a report has been filed in the ranks of this web site concerning the pros and cons of supplementing with creatine. What I hope to offer is a biologically and physiologically factual and unbiased look at what creatine actually does in the human body.
We all know that muscle gain comes from the repairing of muscle fibers after overload has been reached. Now in doing so your muscles fatigue due to a lack of oxygen and a surplus of lactic acid (a.k.a. the Lactic Acid Cycle). A storage of lactic acid that can't be replaced by oxygen fast enough will result in a cramp. This, however, rarely happens due to presence of phosphagens.
The phosphagen in all vertebrates (that's us) is CREATINE PHOSPAHTE. What nature's creatine does is temporarily give up its phosphate to ADP (adenosine diphosphate) to form ATP (adenosine phosphate). This ATP is the energy package stored in the muscles for use in contraction. Essentially, creatine allows for more endurance in the form of muscular contraction permitting a higher number of reps before fatigue sets in.
Having said that, it is now important to analyze the nature of creatine. Creatine seems to be a substance exclusive to the muscles of the body, not present or taken in with your diet, and so seemingly illogical to add to your naturally balanced body. In addition, the homeostasis of which I speak is maintained by creatine phosphate, not monohydrate or citrate.
The experimentation, in terms of the long-term effects of creatine in the body, is inconclusive. Therefore, it is in my opinion that any use, if at all, of creatine should be done sparingly.
Sincerely,
Brandon L.
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