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Creatine is an acid derived from nitrogen that helps provide energy to nerve cells and muscles. It is present in all vertebrates (animals with backbones), including humans. Creatine has recently been placed in several food and drink supplements as a way to enhance physical performance and stamina. These supplements are available at health food and vitamin stores in the form of drink powders, pills and health bars.
Taking creatine has become very popular in the sports world, and although it is currently legal to take creatine, some doctors believe it is dangerous, and some sports professionals feel it is as harmful as steroids and should be banned. These professionals argue that the use of creatine gives sports players an unfair advantage over those who choose not to take it. -
Creatine supplements are made of creatine monohydrate, a creatine molecule combined with water molecules to help absorption. Once the creatine supplement is taken, creatine molecules are absorbed in the muscles, bringing the levels of phosphocreatine in the body 20 percent higher. ATP, which is released in the muscles when they are involved in strenuous activity, remains at high levels when creatine supplements are added to the body. This means an athlete will not tire as quickly and will feel less pain.
For some sports, like football, basketball and weightlifting, creatine supplements allow the athlete to benefit from the spurts of energy that are released from the increased phospocreatine muscle activity. Creatine is not proven to work as well with long endurance sports. Runners and swimmers, for example, need more than quick spurts of energy. -
Creatine supplements are generally considered safe by most medical professionals, as there have not been many examples of short-term or long-term side effects associated with creatine use. In a healthy individual, creatine supplements should work to the athlete's advantage.
If you are severely dehydrated, however, the additional water needed in the body's creation of more ATP can cause you to feel faint or dizzy. If you intend to take creatine supplements, stay as hydrated as possible at all times.
In addition to water loss, leg pain is a common complaint among creatine users. If you are experiencing leg pain, it may be caused by a buildup of pressure in the muscles as a result of the retained water in the muscle fibers of your legs. See a doctor if you feel severe leg pains, and stop taking creatine immediately. These leg pains can cause irreversible tissue damage that can affect your athletic performance permanently.
