Many people think of creatine as just a supplement that is used to build muscle. This is true, but that is not all that it does to benefit the body.
What is Creatine?
Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid made naturally in the body, but it can also be found in meat and fish or taken in higher doses as a supplement. It’s available on its own, but you’ll also sometimes see it in meal-replacement shakes and other supplements.
So, how can Creatine benefit you?
Improves Glucose Tolerance
Throughout several studies, it has been found that oral creatine supplementation can offset the decline of muscle GLUT4 protein content in skeletal musculature during disuse atrophy and also, increases GLUT4 content during subsequent rehabilitation training. Based on the present findings, it is warranted to evaluate the potential of long-term creatine supplementation as a strategy to prevent or treat disease conditions characterized by peripheral insulin resistance.
Congestive heart failure (chronic)
Research supports the use of creatine supplementation in people with chronic heart failure. Several studies have reported a positive outcome of improved muscle strength and endurance.
How Creatine Affects Older Adults
With aging and inactivity, muscle wasting or atrophy most often occurs in fast-twitch muscle fiber. These fibers, which are recruited during high-intensity, low-endurance movements such as weight lifting and sprinting, are the most profoundly affected by creatine.
An abundance of recent studies has found creatine to have beneficial effects in older adults, especially when combined with a resistance training protocol.
These are just a few highlights of the many benefits you find with Creatine.
Other Benefits
The use of creatine is thought to enhance the brains ability to survive the metabolic and physical trauma associated with conditions of neurodegenerative disorders.
Creatine is also suggested for the use of bone fracture healing and osteoporosis.
There have also been other studies done that say creatine could help slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease, as well as help improve the strength of people suffering from muscular dystrophy.
One of the most heavily researched supplements in the history of sports nutrition (over 200 studies to date, over the last decade), creatines efficacy cannot be denied.
Here are a few places to learn more about Creatine:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson181.htm
http://examine.com/supplements/Creatine/
https://labdoor.com/rankings/creatine
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23554283
