Creatine is a natural substance found in highest concentration in lean red muscle tissue of animals and humans in the form of creatine phosphate. When muscles are used to lift a weight, or perform any type of work, ATP, (Adenosine Triphosphate) is rapidly broken down to ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) and energy is released. The amount of ATP stored in the muscle will only fuel a maximum effort such as weight lifting for 10 to 15 seconds. After that the muscle must rely on Creatine to restock its supply of ATP. ATP has three phosphate molecules to one molecule of adenosine. Energy is created when one of the phosphate molecules breaks away turning ATP into adenosine diphosphate (ADP), which is adenosine with only two phosphate molecules. The breaking of the bonds between these molecules produces all the energy the body requires to work. Creatine phosphate (CP) serves as an immediate backup to restore the missing phosphate bond.Dietary creatine is available in meats and fish, but the amount is depleted rapidly when foods are cooked. There is approximately 2 grams of creatine per pound of raw, red meat. Most people, through diet and synthesis, only store about 60-80% of their potential creatine levels. This is why some say that supplementing with creatine enables an individual to elevate their creatine storage to a maximum value. This additional creatine is believed to give the body the necessary ingredients to reproduce more ATP during the creatine kinase process and to ultimately generate more work. Maximizing the level of stored Creatine through supplemental ingestion of Creatine Monohydrate, is believed to extend peak athletic performance for longer periods during short duration, high intensity exercise. Creatine Monohydrate may also help the weightlifter by increasing the volumization of the muscles, buffering lactic acid build-up, and enhancing protein synthesis.The general consensus among bodybuilders is that Creatine does work. While...
