Creatine is a supplement that was first used in the sports field many years ago. It is still widely used today to improve muscle strength, mobility and even muscle gain. A lot of bodybuilders, athletes and people who practice sport use it to make muscle growth possible. But what are the advantages, what are the inconveniences, pros and cons of creatine? In this article you will find answers to these questions.
Creatine can improve strength and endurance
Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid in the body that supplies energy to muscle cells. It can improve strength and endurance during intense workouts, which makes it popular among athletes.
Creatine can help you increase your muscle size
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in muscle tissue. It supplies energy to all cells in the body, and it’s also used for quick bursts of energy by muscle fibers.
Creatine can help you increase your muscle size, strength and endurance during strength training sessions. It has been studied extensively in scientific research trials and is considered safe for use by most people. However, there are some side effects associated with creatine use that you should be aware of before taking it.
Creatine can help you to recover quicker from exercise
Creatine can help you to recover quicker from exercise, which is one of the main reasons why it’s so popular with athletes. It is also thought that creatine may improve strength and performance in high-intensity, short-duration exercises like sprinting and weight lifting.
But there are some downsides to creatine use. For example, it can cause weight gain and make you feel bloated. It can also damage the kidneys if taken in large amounts for a long time, although this would only occur if you have underlying kidney disease or if you take more than 20 grams a day for many years.
Creatine may also interact with certain medications. It’s important to talk to your doctor before taking creatine if you’re on any other prescribed drugs or supplements.
Creatine may be harmful to your kidneys
Creatine is a naturally occurring substance in the body that supplies energy to help you perform high-intensity workouts. The supplement is often used by athletes and bodybuilders.
Creatine may be harmful to your kidneys, according to a study published in the journal Nutrition Reviews. The researchers found that people who took creatine supplements had higher levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, which are markers of kidney damage. They also had lower levels of albumin, which helps prevent proteins from leaking into the urine.
Creatine may harm your liver when taken in excess
Many people take creatine supplements to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance. The supplement is generally considered safe for most people, but there are some potential risks associated with taking it. A few reports have linked creatine supplementation with liver damage.
The Mayo Clinic lists side effects of creatine as nausea, diarrhea and weight gain. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that there have been no reports of serious side effects caused by taking creatine in research studies. This doesn’t mean that taking high doses of creatine won’t cause any problems — it just means that no one has reported any serious problems yet.
Creatine may cause stomach issues
One of the most common side effects of creatine is stomach upset — especially diarrhea and bloating. This happens because creatine causes your body to retain more water, which can cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some people. If you have any issues with your digestive system (like irritable bowel syndrome or GERD), then you should probably avoid taking creatine.
It can lower your testosterone levels
Creatine has been shown to lower your body’s natural production of testosterone, which is a hormone that helps build muscle mass. This might make you feel less manly in the gym, but it won’t have any adverse effects on your body composition or performance. In fact, it may even help you gain more muscle mass by helping you recover faster from intense exercise sessions.
Creatine may cause muscle cramps and dehydration
If you’re new to using creatine or haven’t been using it long enough to see results, then you may experience muscle cramps or dehydration while using it. This is because creatine pulls water into your muscles cells to help them grow bigger and stronger. However, if your body isn’t accustomed to this extra fluid, then you may feel some side effects such as headaches, muscle cramps and dehydration (1).
But does creatine actually work? And are there any side effects?
The Truth About Creatine
The answer to both questions is yes. There’s strong evidence that creatine can help build muscle mass and improve athletic performance, but this doesn’t mean it’s safe for everyone. In fact, there are some risks involved with taking creatine supplements — especially if you have kidney problems or other health issues.
