Creatine has been around for quite some time. Regardless of the existing scientific evidence that shows creatine is a safe supplement, people still have many questions about creatine. This post will attempt to answer some of the most common questions...
Creatine has been around for quite some time. Regardless of the existing scientific evidence that shows creatine is a safe supplement, people still have many questions about creatine. This post will attempt to answer some of the most common questions about creatine.
What Is Creatine? According to Wikipedia: Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in vertebrates and helps to supply energy to all cells in the body, primarily muscle.
Who Should/Can Use Creatine? Anyone looking to increase their strength, athletic performance or to gain muscle can use creatine.
Does Creatine Help You Burn Fat? Creatine is an indirect-fat burner. We know muscle aids in fat loss by increasing our metabolism. Since creatine promotes lean muscle gains, it indirectly will help us lose fat by helping gain muscle.
How Much Creatine Should I Take? Generally the average person should take 3-6 grams of creatine monohydrate daily for maintenance.
What Is Creatine Loading? To speed up the benefits of creatine, you can "Load" it which basically builds up your creatine stores in your body to maximum capacity in a short time. To properly load creatine, you should take 10-to-20 grams of creatine monohydrate daily for 7-to-14 days. After your loading phase, you will want to go back to the maintenance phase of 3-6 grams per day.
Do I need to cycle creatine? Most people don't have to worry about cycling creatine. In the past it was preached that creatine could have adverse effects on kidneys and other body functions, however, there has been no scientific evidence to support this and the mainstream concensus today says that it is fine to employ a continual use of creatine for sustained performance benefits.
How Much Water Should You Drink While Using Creatine? According to Bodybuilding.com you should drink 4 ounces of water for every 3 g of creatine.
What Is The Best Type Of Creatine? There are many different types of creatine available - some in pre-workout supplements, post-workout supplements and some creatine blends that are flavored. However, you don't necessarily need these engineered products. Creatine monohydrate is definitely suitable for your creatine source. Not only is it less expensive than other forms, but it's actually been shown to have better bioavailability.
Is Creatine Safe For Women? Yes. If you are woman looking to add lean body mass, tone up or get stronger, it is safe to consume creatine.