Fact #1: Creatine Is Not a Steroid
Creatine is a chemical produced in the body from three amino acids: arginine, glycine, and methionine. It’s found mostly in skeletal muscle. They also help create ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body’s energy currency.
Creatine is not a steroid, but it is often associated with them because it gives you strength. That’s why you’ll see Creatine in many pre-workout powders that are marketed to men who want to build muscle mass. Creatine can also help people who have Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease since they both affect neurons that use energy.
Fact #2: Creatine Does Not Make You Fat
The majority of people who use Creatine are trying to improve their athletic performance. The reason for this is that Creatine helps to improve muscle strength and endurance. It also positively affects mental function, which is important for people who want to perform at their best in sports and other physical activities. While Creatine is a natural supplement and has no side effects, there are some things that you need to know about it before using it.
No! Creatine does not make you fat. It actually helps increase lean muscle mass while decreasing body fat percentage over time, which results in an overall increase in weight from muscle rather than from fat tissue, as some people believe.
Fact #3: You Do Not Have to Cycle Creatine
It’s a common myth that you need to cycle Creatine — that is, take it for a while and then stop taking it for a time — to avoid side effects such as bloating or weight gain. But no studies have shown that cycling creatine is necessary or even beneficial. Some research has shown that cycling creatine may reduce its effectiveness.
Fact #4: You Don’t Need a Loading Phase With Creatine
Many people believe that they need to take a loading phase before starting with regular doses of creatine monohydrate powder. This isn’t true at all. It doesn’t make any sense at all! Taking a loading phase means taking higher doses than normal for several days or weeks before going back down to regular doses once your body adapts to what it needs from you.
Fact #5: You Can Take Creatine With Carbohydrates or Protein
Creatine supplements contain creatine monohydrate, which comprises three amino acids: arginine, glycine, and methionine. The body naturally produces these three amino acids and uses them to create new proteins or repair damaged proteins in muscle tissue. When you supplement with creatine monohydrate, your body will use those same three amino acids to produce more energy during exercise and build new muscle tissue after your workout ends.
Hopefully, you now feel more informed about Creatine and how it can work for you. While Creatine certainly won’t be for everyone, some might notice a difference in their bodies if they begin using this supplement. If you’re still on the fence, do your homework first; there are several factors to consider when deciding whether or not to try Creatine. And, as always, please discuss any supplements or dietary changes with your doctor first before starting them.
