Now that you know a bit more about creatine and how it works- as well as some of the benefits and side effects, it’s time to look at the 9 best creatine supplements. This can improve brain health and may help with prevention of neurological conditions. In addition to all of the above, creatine supplementation has also been shown to increase the phosphocreatine stores in your brain. Myostatin is a chemical that may prevent new muscle growth. Decreases myostatin levels: creatine reduces the levels of myostatin in the muscles.
The stored phosphocreatine can then be used to produce more ATP- which is the energy source needed for HIIT workouts and heavy lifting.Ĭreatine also helps build muscle through: During HIIT, the primary role of creatine is to increase phosphocreatine stores in the muscles. There are several ways that creatine can improve your athletic performance as well as your overall health. In addition, creatine is known to alter a few of the cellular processes that result in increased strength, recovery, and muscle mass. The more you have, the better your body can perform during a workout. ATP is often referred to as the energy currency of the body. It is an energy source stored in your cells and it helps your body produce ATP, which is a high-energy molecule. By supplementing, you increase your phosphocreatine stores. The remaining 5% is stored in your liver, kidneys, and brain. Hormone levels, such as IGF-1 and testosteroneĪpproximately 95% of the creatine in your body is stored in the muscles as phosphocreatine.There are several factors that can have an effect on the creatine stores in your body: It’s a tripeptide, produced from the amino acids arginine. Though it’s often referred to as an amino acid, it’s actually not. Athletes and bodybuilders who are trying to improve their workout performance, gain muscle, and enhance strength often take creatine supplements. What is Creatine?Ĭreatine is an amino acid found in the cells of your muscles that helps with energy production during HIIT workouts or heavy lifting. Hopefully this will help you decide if creatine is right for you and if so, which one. First though, we’re going to explain more about what creatine is, what it does, the 6 types of creatine, and a few of the benefits and risks/side effects of using creatine. In this article, we’re going to review what we believe to be the 9 best creatine supplements on the market today. There are several health benefits for those who wish to use creatine to augment their physical fitness. When it comes to the benefits of creatine, some of the claims may be wishful thinking- but others have been proven true. In addition, there’s some indication that it may help muscle recovery during workouts.Ĭreatine also seems to boost energy and performance in HIIT workouts such as weightlifting or sprinting. Research indicates that it can improve strength and help build lean muscle mass. As a supplement, it is quickly gaining popularity. There are many supplements on the market that are supported by a few studies- but creatine has hundreds of studies that indicate it’s influence on workout performance and body composition.Ĭreatine is found naturally in your body and is obtained through sources such as red meat and seafood. If you were to take a look into a bodybuilder’s pantry, you’re likely to see two things: whey protein powder and a creatine supplement.