September 16, 2009

The Dynamic Role Of Creatine In Muscle Building

Creatine intake boosts the energy level to the muscle cells with creatine phosphate replenishing ATP. It reduces the recovery time after a tiring workout, and increases energy and muscle mass. Creatine does not create bloating or stress on kidneys as were earlier believed. It is sold in a variety of forms such as creatine ester and creatine monohydrate. Their dosage and price varies.

Creatine supplements increase the high intensity athletic performance. It provides energy to skeletal muscles. The increase in the content of creatine in skeletal muscles was discovered by researchers of Harvard University in 1912. The scientists discovered later in the 1920s that higher intake of creatine increased the intramuscular storage of creatine, creatine had a critical role in metabolism of skeletal muscles, and vertebrates formed creatine naturally. They also discovered creatine phosphate. Investigations further revealed that creatine did boost the physical performance. Athletes and sportspersons began to use creatine.

Creatine supplements began to be commercialized only from 1993 and became available in the market. Experimental and Applied Sciences (EAS) of Britain introduced Phosphagen, the first creatine product to be launched. It was discovered that creatine muscle performance as well as stores increased with the consumption of high glycemic carbohydrates with creatine. Cell-Tech was the first creatine-carbohydrate-alpha lipoic acid supplement to be launched. It was introduced by MuscleTech Research and Development. Intake of Alpha lipoic acid increased the levels of muscle phosphocreatine as well as total muscle creatine concentrations. Creatine ethyl ester supplements were introduced first in 2004. The most popular forms of creatine are the creatine monohydrate and creatine ethyl ester-based supplements. These are offered as separate products or in combined form. It has been reported by researchers that creatine monohydrate provides more creatine than creatine ethyl ester. These are consumed in the form of powder that is mixed into a drink or as caplet or capsule. There are many products in the market such as the BSN CellMass.

There was an increase of 20 percent in the level of phosphocreatine in the muscles when creatine was ingested. Creatine increases the activity of satellite cells that makes possible the muscle hypertrophy. Most governing sport authorities do not list creatine in their banned list as its consumption is not equated with doping. Considered to be safe both in short and long term use, creatine is suggested not to be consumed by those ailing from renal diseases.

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