Creatine, an amino acid, is not one of the 20 amino acids that make up all proteins. It can be made from arginine, glycine, and methionine. Creatine supplements, such as creatine monohydrate, can change the amount of phosphocreatine and creatine in muscles, helping them produce more. Creatine supplements are safe for most individuals and offer various benefits, including increasing muscle growth, promoting energy production for high-intensity exercise, and decreasing the risk of kidney and liver damage.
Emerging research suggests that creatine could have cognitive benefits, potentially enhancing memory and attenuating symptoms of concussions or traumatic brain injuries. Humans naturally create creatine in their liver and kidneys, which is then stored in muscles. Creatine supplementation safely increases the stores of creatine, which may improve cognitive processing, especially in conditions characterized by brain creatine deficits.
Creatine supplementation appears safe and potentially beneficial for children and adolescents, particularly in vegetarians. Previous studies have shown that supplementation increases brain creatine levels, which might increase cognitive performance. Creatine supplementation has been shown to significantly improve cognitive function and decision-making, particularly in vegetarians.
In conclusion, creatine supplementation appears safe and potentially beneficial for most individuals, especially those with kidney and liver damage. It is important to note that creatine is a nutrient, not a drug, and does not alter or suppress any endogenous biochemical function.
📹 The BEST Way To Use Creatine For Muscle Growth (4 STEPS)
Creatine is an effective and safe supplement to help you build stronger and bigger muscles. But science also reveals that, when it …
Does creatine affect thinking?
The research team observed that a single dose of creatine administered three hours after the initial dose resulted in favorable alterations in brain metabolism and enhanced cognitive performance. The optimal effect was observed at four hours and persisted for up to nine hours. Notably, the enhancement was most evident in the domains of processing capacity and short-term memory.
Does creatine affect visual?
Creatine dosage and duration play a significant role in the development of blurred vision. Lower dosages are generally associated with a decreased risk of visual disturbances, while higher doses may increase the likelihood of experiencing blurred vision due to weakness and various factors. The duration of creatine use also plays a role, with short-term supplementation often resulting in fewer instances of visual issues as the body adapts, while long-term, especially at higher dosages, may heighten the risk.
Creatine has no direct impact on blurred vision, but it can help deal with eye problems. Proper dosage, water intake, and individual factors can help yield better results from creatine. “Create” is a beacon of excellence in creatine gummies, inviting users to explore the profound connection between creatine and vision, forging a path towards clearer perception and vibrant well-being.
Is creatine safe for brain?
Creatine is crucial for brain health and function, as it requires ATP for difficult tasks. Supplements can increase phosphocreatine stores in the brain, aiding in ATP production and increasing dopamine levels and mitochondrial function. Vegetarians often have low creatine levels, but studies show a 20-50 improvement in memory and intelligence test scores. For older individuals, creatine supplementation for 2 weeks significantly improves memory and recall ability.
Can creatine cause brain fog?
Creatine, a natural supplement, has been found to help reduce brain fog, a condition characterized by mental fatigue, forgetfulness, and lack of focus. It boosts ATP production, improves neurotransmitter function, and protects brain cells. Brain fog can result from stress, poor diet, and lack of sleep, and creatine has shown promise in enhancing cognitive performance. Creatine’s potential nootropic effects may improve overall brain health and cognitive function. It is essential to use creatine safely and effectively to optimize mental performance.
Will creatine make me look less defined?
The ingestion of creatine has been observed to result in the appearance of fuller muscles in some individuals. Furthermore, the introduction of this supplement has been linked to observable improvements in muscle mass.
Does creatine affect personality?
Creatine supplementation has been shown to have negative effects on mood and anxiety in two human trials and one animal experiment. In a clinical trial, two patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder exhibited hypomania or mania following daily creatine supplementation. In another study, two subjects reported feeling more aggressive and nervous after 1 week of creatine supplementation (25 g/day). In rodents, Allen et al. observed increased depression-like behavior in male rats supplemented with 4 creatine for five weeks.
In healthy adults, creatine monohydrate has been found to improve muscle strength and physical endurance in athletes. Systematic reviews of studies assessing the ergogenic effects of creatine have found consistent beneficial effects in sporting activities that involve repeated, short bouts of intense exercise, including football and soccer. The favorable effects of creatine supplementation on muscle energy metabolism and function increase the plausibility of creatine having a positive effect on brain energy metabolism, cognitive processes, and/or mood states. This is particularly interesting because metabolic dysfunction is hypothesized to be a contributing factor for thought and mood disturbances.
Virtually no human or animal studies have directly examined the association of brain creatine metabolism to mood or cognition in healthy adults. However, converging evidence is bringing to light the importance of endogenous creatine for normal brain development and cognitive function. The expression of most creatine kinase iosenzymes in the hippocampus and frontal cortex provides one clue that creatine metabolism participates in higher mental functioning. Additionally, low phosphocreatine levels were associated with better performance on a specific frontal lobe task in healthy volunteers.
Does creatine lower dopamine?
Creatine, a key neurotransmitter, has been shown to respond better to dopaminergic therapy in humans and animals. It may also be neuroprotective by preventing the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Creatine supplements have been found to protect against cell damage induced by dopaminergic neurotoxins. A clinical trial study found that creatine supplementation increased plasma dopamine levels and improved mood. The antidepressant-like activity of creatine is mediated by activating dopamine D 1 and D 2 receptors and modulating dopamine reuptake.
Chronic stress has been linked to dendritic atrophy and decreased spine density in neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Neuropeptides and neurotransmitters in the central nervous system can affect animal food intake and pain sensation. Wingless (Wnt) signaling is a key pathway that regulates glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) activity, which plays a pivotal role in learning and memory regulation.
Is creatine good for studying?
Creatine, a key component of the body’s energy system, has been found to induce changes in various physiological and metabolic processes, including PCr/Pi, ATP, tCr/tNAA, pH levels, and cognitive performance. These effects suggest that a high single dose of creatine can partially reverse metabolic alterations and fatigue-related cognitive deterioration.
Sleep deprivation (SD) is a common issue due to modern lifestyles and work pressure, leading to accidents, reduced performance, and chronic diseases. To mitigate these negative consequences, psychoactive substances like caffeine have gained popularity. The sports community also appreciates creatine for its ergogenic properties, enhancing physical peak performance.
Creatine supplementation has been studied in neurodegenerative diseases and sleep disorders, with changes in creatine-related metabolites observed in humans and animals. Studies have shown that prolonged oral creatine supplementation over a minimum period of one week can increase neural total CR (tCr) and PCr, decrease ATP and glutamate (Glu), and improve cognitive performance.
Creatine is of low water solubility, poor bioavailability, and does not diffuse passively through cell membranes. Its uptake into the central nervous system is assured and limited by the creatine transporter CreatT (SLC6A8), which operates near saturation and is expressed in the endothelial cell layer of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The synthetic pathway comprises the arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) followed by guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT), which are detected in all brain cell types but rarely co-expressed in the same cell.
In conclusion, creatine supplementation may have potential benefits in compensating for metabolic changes and cognitive impairment during sleep deprivation.
Is creatine good for ADHD?
Creatine supplementation has been shown to improve cognitive functions, such as working memory and executive function, potentially helping individuals with ADHD improve focus, organization, and task management. Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in muscle tissue and is commonly used as a dietary supplement for enhancing physical performance. It plays a crucial role in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy carrier in cells.
Creatine increases the availability of ATP, improving muscle strength, endurance, and recovery. Recent research suggests that creatine may offer potential cognitive benefits, leading to growing interest in its possible applications for managing neurological and psychiatric conditions, including ADHD. Tulsi Wellness Club in San Diego is committed to exploring innovative approaches to managing various health conditions, including ADHD.
Does creatine affect face shape?
Creatine increases water content in muscle cells, leading to “cell volumization” and muscle growth, but can also cause puffiness or bloating. This effect is temporary and may subside over time. Sodium intake is crucial for maintaining fluid balance, but excessive intake can cause fluid retention, causing puffiness and bloating. It’s essential to monitor sodium intake and ensure a balanced diet to maintain proper fluid levels. Individual responses to creatine supplementation may vary, and it’s crucial to monitor your body’s response to the supplement and adjust your dosage or stop taking it if necessary.
What are the negatives of creatine?
It is possible that creatine may induce adverse effects, including but not limited to weight gain, muscle cramps, muscle strains, and sprains.
📹 Can you take creatine when dieting to get lean?
In this video I clear up the common confusion over whether or not you can take creatine while trying to get lean.
Supplements can be a great addition to a muscle-building routine. However, they’re not a substitute for a proper diet and exercise.Look for supplements that contain ingredients like creatine, protein, and beta-alanine, which have been shown to aid in muscle growth and recovery.Remember, supplements should complement your training and diet, not replace them entirely:youtu.be/1nonDxjIMPM
I subscribed just to support you on YouTube because you are so well spoken! It’s so easy to listen to you. Your points are very concise, and I love how you summarize. I’m 77 years old and at the beginning of January I started working out with consistency. Grandma needs some muscle! I did buy creatine because my son gave me a punchcard for nine visits to a CrossFit gym. That has been a bit of a shock to my system! But I’m proud that I’ve been able to do workouts at a 😮modified level.
I was always bullied for having man boobs(im 14) i have worked out alot and im kinda fine rn.. i want a good body now and am setting good habits to follow everyday like working out 1 hour and then a cold shower.. i started taking creatine today. Day 1 – it felt good.. kinda didnt taste good. But it gave me a energizedish feeling tho.. but the taste is rly bad.. ( will update tmrw) Day 2- i worked out and felt abit stronger and then i took creatine Day 3- felt lazy to get out of bed but completed the workout.. Day 4- i see minimum changes
What SO many websites leave out when touting its benign properties is that it is NOT recommended by any credible medical source for anyone with Fatty-Liver disease in particular, and any kidney/liver impairment in general. Some websites I consider border-line deceptive as they tout creatine’s benefits, but don’t clarify the difference between its natural production and usage versus usage via supplementation – which is NOT a natural aquisition. Another way some websites are border-line deceptive (or just ignorant) is that they cite studies which say taking creatine does not CREATE harm, but do not also add that taking creatine supps if you ALREADY have liver-disease is not reccomended. The devil is in the details!
Science here seems contradictory. You said 2g per day for 6 months showed no benefit in female swimmers, but later said 0.03g/kg of bw is a sufficient dose to get benefits. Now I’m assuming here but those female swimmers couldn’t have been more than 60kg, which is equivalent to 1.8g of creatine per day. Shouldn’t have they seen benefits?
A couple of questions if that’s ok: 1. so drinking a cup of coffee a day won’t affect creatine’s effect, if not taken at the same time, correct? 2. how long shall we take creatine for hypertrophy? Should it be like protein, where it’s basically forever? Or is it advisable to stop every 3 months or something like that?
Severe muscle cramping. For what it’s worth, I’ve taken creatine monohydrate three times from different major suppliers. The first two times, I took 5g (no loading), but I had severe muscle cramps after a month or so. I researched more and could find very little info about creatine creating muscle cramping, only that it didn’t cause it. I also found that lower doses were often as effective, so I took 3g/day on my third try with another supplier. Same result. Severe muscle cramping, mostly in my legs, and I mean severe. Since creatine was supposed to be the most researched and “safe” supplement, I think that I’m done with supplements, especially since, if one was actually effective without negative side effects, you never know what’s going to be in the container next time.
I tried creatine, took it for a month, didn´t get any effects from it. But i´m also a heavy coffee drinker, 4-5 cups per day. It never occurred to me that it could actually be why. Creatine binds water, while coffee is a diuretic. Makes sense that they would cancel each other out. Maybe i´ll try creatine again, but reduce the coffee this time.
I’ve been working out almost a year now. Through my year I’ve seen impressive results only extreme will power and a healty lifestyle. But I want more gains, because I can’t stop the grind. That’s why I bought my first bag of Creatin Monohydrate (5000 mg). I’m really excited and I just wanna thank you for all the tips from this article. Lift safe, gym brazz.
Personally I’d recommend gradually introducing creatine and not loading bc creatine makes me throw up (even just 5 grams of it) if I haven’t taken it for a while. When I first started taking it, it made me super sick for the first week even though I was only taking about 5 grams a day. I can’t imagine how bad it’d be if I was taking 20g 🥴
I did not understand it very clearly. Should we take creatine before workout or before workout? If before workout then how man minutes bevor would we eat it. Thanks and sorry for my bad English 😊 hope u understand me what I mean. And after workout then should I take creatine and protein together????
So, saw some questions(like mine would be) in the comments, but no answers to them. Is it okey if I mix my creatine dose with protein dose in the shaker? And as much as I understood- it doesn’t matter when, but most of the people here say after the workout was a better feel than pre. Thank you in advance!
Creatine makes your muscles look bigger, while actually making them bigger as well. First, creatine causes your muscle cells to store more water which causes your muscles to appear fuller and larger. You may notice the size increase a few days or weeks after starting creatine supplementation. No it’s not a pro hormone and no it’s not a steroid.
Good article. I have heard that taking creatine along with coffee has some benefits. However, you indicated that doing so could potentially cancel the affects of coffee and the affects of creatine out to the point that neither benefits would be felt. I have also noticed that sometimes protein powder is mixed with creatine would this be beneficial in any noticeable ways? Or would taking protein powder separately from creatine powder ve more helpful?I’m just starting to lift weights and don’t really know which way to go to achieve the most benefits. Thanks for any advice or insight.
You should definitely mention that you should take each 5-gram dose of creatine with at least 8 ounces of water. As for total daily water intake, you should aim for 3 to 4 liters, or 12 to 16 cups, per day. Remember: 1 L equals 1000 ml of water and 1 cup equals 8 ounces of fluid. Otherwise your kidneys can fail 👍🏻 that is literally the most important direction when it comes to creatine 💀
Bro! I only have one to thank for this article! I tried this very method, and it helped me realize how fast I hydrate… I’ve had bad days which led to more optimal hydrating methods! I’ve had side effects such as inflammation in the salivary glands which I investigated it to a normal symptom as dehydration… total conclusion: this method works!! …but stay way up on your water if you plan to take up to maximum amount (loading phase). 😅😁
It’s weird listening to a guy that has a body of a highschooler that looks like they just started working out, he looks like he weighs 150lbs so idk if I can trust him, it’s like the old saying don’t trust a chef that isn’t fat, like are we really gonna trust a skinny guy talking about muscle building ? Idk guys, not trying to disrespect him at all it’s just strange
Hello my name is Leo, I’m skinny and considering buying creatine online. Since it’s my first time I rather buy a more cheaper brand. I saw some brands online, please can you tell me if any of these are good for bulking? Your best 3 if you thought about getting bigger. I’ll also appreciate any input by the comment section. Thanks. 1. Muscle Milk pro series Creatine 2. Nutrex Research Creatine Monohydrate 3. Nutrex Research Creatine Drive 4. Finaflex Micronized Pure Creatine 5. Six Star 100% Creatine Monohydrate 6. PHAT Muscle Premium Creatine Monohydrate 7. Myogenix Creatine Monohydrate 8. Earth’s Creation Creatine Monohydrate 9. Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate
I started taking creatine monohydrate nearly a month ago, & just this morning I realized that it’s the culprit behind my substantial water retention. I’m going to stop taking creatine as it’s messing with me mentally…I’m within 10lbs of my weight loss/strength gain journey, I’m down 61lbs thus far, & while I’ve been kicking ace with kettlebell & some medium-ish cardio while eating pretty well, I’ve been retaining water to the point of feeling mildly bloated, & I literally just an hour ago realized that it’s the freaking creatine! I’m not going to now try the other form of creatine Jim here suggests, I’m just going to get off it & get back to my journey…perhaps I’ll take the other type of creatine when I’ve shed the rest of my excess fat, but until then, it’s just say no for me.
Appreciate your experience / input! What is a bit concerning though, since there seems to be a serious lack of hard science on this subject, still ‘everyone’ parroting the consensus of creatine ‘not affecting ketosis’. It is encouraging, however, the tests I’ve seen on YT with people in ketosis supplementing with creatine and NO change in ketone levels. But at the end of the day, so far, noone seems to really know if and how it may affect fat adaptation, weight loss etc… relative to no sup with creatine!?
HI Jim; names Mike and my question is. whats best in your opinion to lose the body fat and put on muscle at same time. . just started intermittent fasting last week. I fast from 8pm to 8pm next day. around 5-6pm I either go to gym and workout or just use treadmill at home doing intervals for 40 min. 40-60 seconds till fall then 2-3 min walking. trying to boost that hgh. and is it true next day cant work out or do inervals cause body is still in fat burning mode… cause I would rather work out next day as well; and during the day could I take bcaa for muscles vitamins or biotin for hair. etc. cause I hear hair thins on fasting. .or do I need to take all things at my meal; what’s your take and also what do you prefer on that 8pm meal ..that’s best under 500 cal or doesn’t really matter as much and could have my normal meal . thank you in advance. .. more question to ask. but too much to write. 😃
German creatine creapure is the gold standard when it comes to purity. Other creatines that do not have the creapure label on it are made in China, which would be considered low quality. Would you buy a German car or a Chinese car? So My question is that let’s say If I order a micronized creatine from a top brand company that does NOT have a creapure label on it, do you believe that it would be considered a very low quality creatine to put into my body because it was made in China having possible toxicities in it? Thank you