Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in vertebrates and helps to supply energy to muscle.Creatine was identified in 1832 when Michel Eugène Chevreul discovered it as a component of skeletal muscle,which he later named creatine after the Greek word for flesh, Kreas.

Creatine is naturally produced in the human body from amino acids primarily in the kidney and liver. It is transported in the blood for use by muscles. Approximately 95% of the human body’s total creatine is located in skeletal muscle.The rest is located in the brain or heart.

Creatine is not an essential nutrient as it is manufactured in the human body from L-arginine, glycine, and L-methionine.

Potential Side Effects?

Creatine may cause muscle cramps or muscle breakdown, leading to muscle tears or discomfort. Strains and sprains have been reported due to enthusiastic increases in workout regimens once starting creatine. Weight gain and increased body mass may occur. Heat intolerance, fever, dehydration, reduced blood volume, or electrolyte imbalances (and resulting seizures) may occur.

Potential Benefits of Creatine?

Creatine use may help if you are trying to get bulk and gain some weight. It is also useful for those not receiving adaquate amounts of Creatine in their daily diet, such as vegetarians.

Can you get Creatine from your diet?

In humans and animals, approximately half of stored creatine originates from food (mainly from fresh meat). Since vegetables do not contain creatine, vegetarians show lower levels of muscle creatine. **With the help of creatine supplementation vegetarians can compensate for this loss.

With a proper diet Creatine levels are something that you don’t need to concentrate on! Focus on other supplements such as a multi-vitamin or protein shakes, you will see much better results.

To Take or Not TakeCreatine Supplement?? That is the Question..

In my 15+ years experience as a personal trainer I have found no real benefitto using Creatine supplements. When using the pro’s and con’s method for creatine, I personally came up with many more con’s then pro’s.  Add up all the potential side effects plus the water retention and sugar intake, not to mention the $40 to $50 price tag for a months supply.  It just doesn’t equal out to something you should add to your workout routine!

Take CellTech for example: #1 Selling Creatine in the U.S.

Marketed very well , sponsored by some of the best bodybuilders! Of course it is going to sell! However, if you look at the ingredients you will see 75g of sugar!  75 grams of sugar is way too much, Whey protein is way more important right after a workout then creatine byfar. In my experiences I have never seen greater results from the use of creatine before or after workouts Believe me when I say that unless your only goal is to get bigger and look bigger, SAVE YOUR MONEY!