Creatine is basically a nutrient which occurs in our bodies naturally. It comprises of 3 amino acids namely glycine, methonine and arginine. The basic purpose of this nutrient is to supply energy to our muscles particularly it provides bundles of energy when we require it during heavy workouts.

Using creatine supplements is very important because it provides you energy to perform your workouts. All of us are aware of the fact that we need huge amounts of energy to make sure that we continue to perform exercises and heavy workouts. Creatine provides us desired energy by increasing the amount of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) in our body. The energy of our body is physically measured by the amount of ATP in our body and creatine is the source of increasing it. Another big benefit of using creatine is that it helps body to restore and regenerate muscles after heavy workouts. Creatine does so by releasing phosphates in our body which combine with ADP to form ATP. So when you take this supplement, you start feeling yourself stronger and more powerful which is a by benefit.

Another benefit of using creatine supplement is that it helps us to gain weight. Average weight gain for those who take creatine supplements is around 15 pounds a month. However, a minor setback is that when you will take creatine supplement, you will feel water retention in your body. So some weight gain as a result of using this supplement would be because of water. Also, bodybuilders when using this supplement may feel bloated or sometimes may have puffy eyes. But if we compare the advantages of this supplement, which gives our bodies tremendous amounts of energy and help body to regenerate muscles as well, we will find that these side effects are very minor in nature.

In short, you can take supplements having creatine to get good results in your bodybuilding. Side effects as mentioned above are very minor in nature and can be over looked.

What is Creatine?
Creatine is an amino acid (amino acids are hollow blocks of protein) that is made in the body by the liver and kidneys, and is derived from the diet through meat and animal products. Creatine (Creatine monohydrate) is a faded, crystal used in the muscle tissue to produce fosfocreatina an important factor in the formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy source for muscle contraction and many other functions in the body.

What creatine normally do in the body?
In the body, creatine is changed into a molecule called the phosphocreatine which serves as a storage reservoir for quick energy. The phosphocreatine is especially important in tissues such as the voluntary muscles and the nervous system which periodically require grand amounts of energy.

Why do athletes take creatine?
Studies have shown that creatine can increase the performance of athletes in activities that require quick blast of energy, such as Sprinting, and can help athletes recover faster after explosions expend energy. Creatine is best for the serious bodybuilder. Help to increase muscle mass, muscle strength of something, so it is not suitable for athletes involved in resistance. However, the increase in muscle mass may be due to water retention rather than an increase in muscle tissue.

Why have I been hearing so much about creatine and neuromuscular disorders?
Two scientific studies have indicated that creatine may be beneficial for neuromuscular disorders. First, a study by Flint Beal of MDA-funded researcher M. Medical Center of Cornell University showed that creatine was twice more effective than Riluzole of medicine to extend the lives of mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from degenerative nerve disease (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Secondly, a study by Canadian researchers mark Tarnopolsky and John Martin of the Medical Center of McMaster University in Ontario found that creatine can cause modest increases in strength in people with a variety of neuromuscular disorders. Beal the’s work were published in the March 1999 implementation of neurology and the nature of the second paper was published in the March 1999 implementation of neurology.

I want to start taking creatine - is it safe?
In general, the asylum of athletes’t experienced adverse side effects of taking creatine, although recently there have been some reports of kidney damage linked to creatine use. Has not been reported any toxicity studies in constant creatine supplementation. Dehydration has also been reported to be a problem while taking creatine.

Athletes take a dose Attack 20 grams of creatine a day for five or six days, then continue normally with a maintenance dose of 2 to 5 grams of creatine a day after that.

What are the side effects?
Little is known about long term side effects of creatine, but no toxicity has been reported consistently in studies of creatine supplementation. In a study of side effects of creatine, diarrhea was the most harmful effect commonly reported from creatine supplementation, followed by some reports of muscle cramping.18 showed that the kidney, liver, and functions of the blood were not affected by higher amounts of short-term or lower amount of long-term creatine supplementation in healthy young adults. In a small study of people taking 5-30 grams per day, change in kidney function appeared after up to five years of supplementation. That hinders muscle after the creatine supplementation has been anecdotally reported in some studies.

Advantages
enhances athletic performance
muscle mass increases
beneficial to muscle disorders