Creatine is a popular supplement for athletes. It’s thought to improve performance by providing energy for muscles. Some studies have shown that it can help people exercise for longer periods of time and increase muscle mass. There are also other ways creatine is good for you that you may not have known about.
In fact, when I did my own research after having taken this supplement myself, I was quite surprised at some of the benefits of creatine, both physically and mentally, that I wasn’t aware of.
This naturally occurring substance plays an important role in the function of muscles, and it can help you to achieve better results from your workouts. It can also help prevent certain health conditions.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 5 ways that creatine can benefit your health and performance.
1 – Creatine Is A Naturally Occurring Substance
Creatine is a naturally occurring substance in the body that plays an important role in energy metabolism and muscle function.
It provides benefits by being present in the body, can be found in meat and fish, and can also be synthesized in the liver.
By taking creatine supplements, you can increase your levels of this important nutrient and reap a wide range of benefits, including increased strength, faster recovery times between workouts, and improved performance during high-intensity exercise.
2 – Creatine Helps Improve Strength & Power
Creatine is an effective way to improve strength and power. In a recent study, athletes who were supplemented with creatine for six weeks increased their maximal force production by 5–20% (1).
This means that they were able to lift more weight or produce more power during exercise.
It’s no wonder creatine is so popular among people who engage in resistance training, as it has been shown to improve strength and power.
3 – Creatine Improves Exercise Performance
Creatine can also improve performance during high-intensity exercises, such as running or cycling. Studies have shown that creatine supplementation can help to increase speed, power, and endurance during intense training sessions (3). This means you can push yourself harder during your workouts and perform at a higher level.
In a study of athletes, those who were supplemented with creatine for eight weeks were able to run 5% further in a timed test than they were able to before supplementation (2).
This equates to approximately 50-60 meters in an athlete that can typically cover 400 meters in about 60 seconds.
Creatine also enhances recovery from intense exercise. In a recent study, researchers found that creatine supplementation helped to reduce the amount of muscle damage and inflammation in athletes who participated in a high-intensity cycling exercise (2). This can help you to recover more quickly from intense workouts and get back to training sooner.
4 – Creatine Reduces Fatigue
Creatine helps to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the main energy source for cellular functions. But when levels of creatine are low, cells can become low on energy and may experience fatigue.
So, when you take supplements or foods that contain creatine, this can help to increase cellular levels of this critical substance, reducing the feeling of fatigue and helping us to stay energized throughout the day.
Since research has shown that creatine can increase athletic performance, it a powerful tool for anyone looking to reduce feelings of tiredness or lack of energy.
5 – Creatine May Help Prevent Certain Health Conditions & Diseases
Research has also shown that creatine may be beneficial for preventing or treating certain health conditions and diseases, such as depression, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Creatine & Depression
In recent years, researchers have discovered that taking supplemental creatine can help to treat depression by reducing feelings of fatigue and boosting mood.
This effect is thought to be caused by the fact that creatine helps to increase available levels of dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter that is closely linked with feelings of reward and pleasure.
In addition to boosting mood, studies also suggest that creatine can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, making it an effective treatment option for people struggling with depression.
- Creatine & Heart Disease
Creatine is an amino acid that is essential for proper heart function. It helps to maintain cell membrane integrity, prevent arrhythmias, and protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Creatine has been shown to improve exercise tolerance in patients with heart disease.
- Creatine & Diabetes
Many people living with diabetes might be wondering how creatine could potentially help to treat this chronic condition. In short, creatine is a compound found naturally in the body that plays an important role in how muscles produce energy.
Research has shown that individuals with type 2 diabetes often have reduced levels of this compound in their bodies, which can result in muscle fatigue and other symptoms.
By taking supplements or increasing the amount of creatine in their diets, people with diabetes may be able to reduce some of these symptoms and better manage the condition overall.
Creatine Benefits In Summary
Overall, more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of this supplement, but the current evidence is promising and suggests that creatine may be a valuable nutrient for overall health and well-being.
Creatine can play an important role in helping you to achieve your fitness goals by improving strength, endurance, and recovery times between workouts. If you’re looking for a way to boost your performance and get the most out of your workouts, creatine supplementation may be right for you.
So, there you have it. Five ways creatine is good for you, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally.
If you’re not currently taking this supplement, now might be the time to consider adding it to your routine.
Here’s a list of top-selling creatine on Amazon.
If you are already a fan of creatine, keep up the good work – you’re definitely doing something right!
I hope you found this article to be helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below and I’ll be more than happy to get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks so much for reading.
References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16379931