Creatine is a naturally occurring substance found primarily in muscle cells. It is obtained from dietary sources, primarily meat and seafood, with a smaller portion produced by the body.1 Without any supplementation, our muscle stores of creatine are typically around 60-80% saturated.2 Since vegetarians don’t have a significant source of dietary creatine, their baseline muscle stores of creatine tend to be even lower and therefore benefit to a greater extent from supplementation.1,3 Creatine’s primary function is to replenish stores of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the molecule that is used for energy within our cells. During brief intense bouts of exercise, the ability to quickly regenerate ATP is limited partly by the available creatinine in the muscle.
Creatine has been heavily studied since the 1980s, with over 1,000 studies published. The primary performance benefit to supplementing with creatine is an increased work capacity in the gym and on the field. Most studies addressing performance improvements have found an improvement of about 10-20% in high-intensity exercises. 4 For example, in a study on resistance-trained men, the group that received creatine was able to perform on average 1-2 additional reps on each of five sets of bench press taken to failure.5 Although 1-2 additional reps might not seem like a lot, over time the ability to do 10-20% more repetitions translates to increased muscle building and strength gains.
Although creatine has been studied primarily in men, most studies looking at women seem to show similar benefits.6-8 In fact, some studies even suggest a greater response to creatine in women than men.9 Additionally, creatine supplementation has been studied extensively in older adults yielding similar results.10 Unfortunately, the effects of creatine are not universal--there appears to be a variable response among individuals from nearly no improvement in performance to quite pronounced improvement.11 Although some people might not have as robust a response, it’s probably worth giving creatine a shot. It is considered to be the most effective supplement available for purposes of improving exercise capacity and aiding in building muscle.2
Since creatine is one of the most heavily-studied performance supplements with over 30 years’ worth of data, we have a lot of evidence to support its safety. There have been various claims that creatine can cause dehydration and muscle cramping, though the best research does not show that.12 Additionally, there is a misconception that creatine can promote kidney problems. Both short- and long-term studies in various populations from young and healthy to ill and elderly have not demonstrated any negative effect.13-15
The only side effect that is consistent across all studies is a small weight gain--mostly due to increased water retention within the muscles. Although not everyone will gain weight from creatine, most studies have demonstrated an average of slightly more than 1kg in individuals weighing around 75kg, with ranges from < 1kg to > 3kg.16,17
Creatine comes in various formulations, though the cheapest, most popular, and most well-studied is creatine monohydrate. Creatine monohydrate typically comes in both pill and powder form which are equally effective. Creatine’s effects are only seen when the muscles become sufficiently saturated. There are two options when taking creatine: loading vs not loading.
The timing of creatine supplementation relative to a training session is frequently discussed, although there isn’t a very strong scientific argument for when to consume creatine for maximum benefit. Most studies did not emphasize the timing of creatine. A single small study in older adults showed no difference if given pre- vs post-workout,19 whereas another small study in young recreational bodybuilders showed a marginal improvement in body composition and bench press repetition maximum (RM).20 If you normally consume a post-workout protein shake, you might as well add your creatine in for a possible benefit, but don’t fret if you have it before your workout.
Unlike supplements such as caffeine, where your body develops a tolerance and the effects diminish over time, creatine’s effects are persistent and do not require you to cycle on and off of it.
Some people advocate consuming creatine in conjunction with high amounts of carbohydrates to improve the absorption and total muscle creatine stores. It is true that carbohydrates help get the creatine into the muscles, though no studies have been conducted showing a performance benefit to this strategy.21,22
In addition to creatine monohydrate, there are other forms of creatine such as creatine hydrochloride (HCl) and creatine ethyl ester (CEE). The current scientific literature does not support the idea that these forms of creatine are superior to creatine monohydrate.23 The main advantage of creatine HCl is that it dissolves easier in water, though it is a bit costlier. Some claim that the total dosing required for creatine HCl is less than with monohydrate, but that has never been studied. CEE, on the other hand, does not appear to be as effective as creatine monohydrate and appears to be equal to placebo.24
In closing, creatine is safe, highly effective and cheap. Take your creatine every day... doctor’s orders!
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