Creatine & Creatine Supplements for Energy & Endurance
Creatine is a dietary supplement that has been studied for many years but is often "misunderstood" due to the benefits it provides. Many people mistakenly believe it is an anabolic substance, but this is not true.
Around 1830, French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul was the first to study creatine and animal fats. His research laid the foundation for all subsequent studies on the subject. Chevreul discovered that animals with higher creatine levels in their muscles had more energy compared to others.
Now, let’s take a closer look at what creatine is and what it offers to the body.
Creatine (or methylguanidine) does not belong to the category of amino acids. It is a compound that the body can synthesize on its own, producing it daily in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas by combining three different amino acids: arginine, methionine, and glycine. However, you can also obtain creatine through your diet.
Creatine is found in the muscle tissue of fresh meats and fish in small amounts, which can be further reduced depending on the cooking method. The highest creatine content is found in beef. As you can imagine, to get enough creatine, you would have to consume large quantities of meat, which is not always feasible. For this reason, creatine intake is recommended through creatine supplements available on the market. Additionally, creatine products are an ideal solution for those who do not want or cannot consume meat.
The benefits of creatine supplements are numerous. First and foremost, they serve as a source of energy, endurance, and strength.
More specifically:
- Enhances muscle growth and definition in athletes who follow proper training and nutrition
- Improves endurance
- Helps sprinters achieve a better start
- Aids in faster muscle recovery after exercise, meaning it supports better post-workout recovery
- During exercise, creatine levels decrease proportionally to the intensity and type of training since they are used as an energy source
- Supports faster replenishment of carbohydrate and glycogen stores
- Helps reduce body fat when combined with an appropriate diet, as it stores water intracellularly
As you can see, creatine offers advantages for both long-distance runners and athletes who lift weights or engage in bodybuilding.
That being said, creatine supplements, like all other dietary supplements, should always be combined with a proper diet depending on each individual’s goals. After all, they are called supplements because they are meant to complement nutrition.
