Natural Sources of Creatine

Creatine is NOT a steroid. Right, now that’s out of the way we can discuss what creatine actually does, briefly understand how it can benefit your training regime or individual fitness goals, and what natural sources it can be found in. That’s right, creatine can be found in natural sources available in your local supermarket. Read on to find out more.

What is creatine?

As Layne Norton states, creatine is a combination of three different amino acids: glycine, arginine, and methionine. This nonessential compound is synthesised primarily in the liver but also in the kidneys and pancreas (Pigozzi et al, 2007).

What does creatine do?

According to Jim Stoppani, once creatine enters the muscles, a high-energy phosphate gets attached to it resulting in phosphocreatine (PCr) or creatine phosphate. This high-energy molecule helps create ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is used by the muscles for the rapid energy it needs for contraction, such as during weightlifting and other power movements.

The benefits

The benefits of creatine supplementation are well-documented. The additional energy provided by creatine allows more weight to be shifted, ultimately allowing you to tear more muscle fibres and grow bigger in the long run. This means that your muscle strength and power will be enhanced at a faster rate than otherwise possible. Furthermore, this additional increase in power will also improve athletic performance in sports ranging from hockey, football and soccer to sprinting. Jim Stoppani also notes additional benefits that go beyond muscle tissue and athletic performance. These include:

• Enhancing cognitive function and memory which may help in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
• Assisting in the treatment of Huntington’s disease and even depression
• Improving the symptoms of congestive heart failure
• Potentially lower cholesterol levels

Creatine provided by Mother Nature

The following foods are rich in creatine content:

• Ground Beef
• Veal
• Lamb chops
• Rabbit
• Ostrich
• Chicken
• Turkey breasts
• Tuna
• Salmon
• Sashimi
• Sushi

Why should I bother with creatine supplements?

While it’s true that creatine can be found in numerous meats and fish as well as a few dairy products it would require the consumption of colossal amounts of these foods to reap the same rewards as you would a supplement. What’s more purchasing all this food could prove to be a costly exercise. Finally, during the process of cooking protein, degradation will take place which means the original value of creatine within these foods will be diminished by the time it reaches your system. This is why so many athletes and fitness enthusiasts have resorted to purchasing quality creatine supplements to help them achieve the results and performance they want. We provide an exciting range of first-rate creatine supplements and supplementation advice. Pop us a message, browse our online shop or come for an in-store visit and we’ll be on hand to assist.

References:

Pigozzi F., Giombini A., Fagnani F., and Parisi A. (2007) The Role of Diet and Nutritional Supplements, Clinical Sports Medicine,Chapter 3, pp 23–36 Looking to take your fitness and athletic performance to the next level? Powerhouse stocks a range of creatine supplements that have been tried, tested and continue to be trusted for superior results. For expert advice and a quality product range, get in touch today and take a step towards to achieving your fitness goals.