Creatine: Hazardous or Healthy Essay?
In sports today, everyone is looking for that extra advantage to enhance their performance, and to compete harder and stronger than their opponent. Creatine has become a major part of many athletes weight training and conditioning programs in the past few years. Many people have different opinions as to whether or not this substance should be used. After researching the topic of Creatine, I have concluded that there is nothing wrong with taking the supplement called Creatine.
The supplement, known as Creatine or “Nature’s Steroid”, is the latest craze of the movement, and is selling over 100 million dollars in profit each year.
“Creatine is a natural substance that was first discovered by a French Chemist named Chevreul” (Higher Power Creatine Web page). It is found in its highest form in lean red muscle tissue of animals and humans in the form of Creatine Phosphate. “Creatine must be combined with exercise to get an effect. When muscles are used to lift a weight, or perform any type of work, ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is quickly broken down to ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) and energy is released. The amount of ATP stored in the muscle must rely on Creatine to restock its supply of ATP. This cycle is repeated throughout the training period.
Therefore, the addition of supplementary creatine allows the duration of the body’s maximum effort to increase. Which basically means you can lift more weight for a longer period of time”(Applegate 25). Muscles will only increase in size when stimulated by a greater workload. For example, before one was using a Creatine supplement, he or she was bench-pressing 170 pounds, for 3 sets with 8 repetitions each set. With use of Creatine one is able to bench press 180 pounds, for 3 sets with ten repetitions per set. Thus, enhancing performance, and gradually increasing overall strength and muscle mass.
The one major concern about Creatine is if it is harmful, and the type of side affects that may occur from its use. “Creatine is a natural, safe substance that already exists in the human body. Its function is to provide the body with energy reserves. Reports have also shown that it is not an addictive substance, like tobacco. Creatine is safe for both sexes. Common side effects that are known to occur on some occasions are headaches, stomachaches, cramping, diarrhea, dehydration, and muscle soreness.
Some female users have reported side effects such as water retention and bloating”(Schirring 17). All of these side effects are common symptoms that non-users may experience everyday. For example, muscle soreness will always occur after a rigorous workout. And stomachaches, cramping, and diarrhea can occur due to digestion of an improper combination of foods.
Creatine benefits the human body in many different ways. The so-called “Nature’s Steroid” is a source of immediate energy for working muscles.
The availability of more raw energy allows more lengthy workouts for the athlete. The over the counter dietary supplement is research proven to increase peak power delay fatigue, and as already stated, increase energy during high intensity exercise”(Williams 43). Most users reported their body fat level dropped simultaneously with the increase in lean mass. Women reported more fat loss and more lean mass due to their smaller frames. Additionally, “Creatine is a major contributor to enhancing muscle cellular hydration, otherwise known as “volumizing.” Volumizing is muscle cells holding more water, becoming larger and better defined.
This enhances the “ripped” look that body builders strive to attain”(Higher Power Creatine Web page).
“Nature’s Steroid” also benefits any kind of sport that involves short intense bursts of energy. That includes all sports except leisure activity. Many athletes have questioned if Creatine will cause them to test positive for an illegal substance during a random drug test. If the athlete were subjected to a random drug test, he or she would notice that they have creatinine in their system, which is a result of Creatine use. Creatine is not an illegal substance.
” The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have allowed this supplement to be sold as an over the counter supplement”(Volek, Kraemer, Bush 768). Many of the professional athletes from different sports openly agree to use the substance. A huge majority of .
