The Benefits and Side Effects of Creatine
Creatine is a body chemical that is found mostly in the muscles and the brain. The primary use of the chemical is in enhancing exercise performance and improving the mass of the muscle. Creatine is most commonly found in red meat as well as seafood, and they can also be made in the laboratory. The use of creatine has also been traced to enhancing of athletic performance of individuals during a short but high intensive activity such as sprinting. Due to its ability to aid performance, the chemical is often used in producing most nutritional supplements. Though creatine enhances athletic performance in people, it has other uses in the human body. The chemical is consumed by mouth for syndromes of its deficiency that may affect congestive heart failure (CHF), fibromyalgia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Huntington’s disease, depression, the brain, diabetes.
Creatine is also involved in the manufacture of the energy that our body muscles require to work. Individuals that have low creatine level in their system such as vegetarians seem to benefit more from this chemical when they start taking creatine supplements than persons with a higher level of creatine. This scenario happens because the human skeletal muscles have a limit of the amount of creatine that it can hold, adding more to this level does nothing to the level. This level of required creatine in the skeletal muscles can be achieved within few days of consuming the prescribed dose.
Side Effect of consuming Creatine
Every health supplements or drugs has its side effect when not taken appropriately and so it is with consuming creatine wrongly. When this chemical is absorbed by mouth for up to five years, it is safe in so doing, but anything other than that will be harmful to the human body system. When creatine is taken by mouth more than what is prescribed, it could lead to harm of vital body organs such as the kidney, heart and may also impair the functioning of the heart. The high dosage of creatine can also cause cramping of the muscle, nausea, stomach pain and diarrhoea. Some studies have shown that creatine does not build muscles but may lead to weight gain in people that consumes it because it takes water from every other part of the body. Due to the fact that the chemical absorbs water from all areas of the body, it is advised to consume more water when taking creatine supplements because it might lead to dehydration.
Though most of the side effects of creatine lack sufficient scientific backing, it is however advised to stay on the safe side if you are in doubt. Breastfeeding and pregnant women are to remain clear of usage, though there is no precise information if the chemical is safe or not for them. It is also safe for children to consume about five grams of creatine by mouth daily for not more than six months. Staying safe is the paramount thing, so if you have any doubt of consuming creatine, it is better to stay clear of it.
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