assify creatine as a steroid. Creatine is classified as a supplement under the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act of 1994 and is available over the counter to anyone.Creatine has proven to enhance the performance of athletes of many sports. The opinion of Shannon Sharpe, the Denver Broncos tight end, will not be swayed. He said definitely, "I believe that it works." He has plenty of company. No one knows exactly how many athletes us creatine, but, as Outside the Lines reported in a television special, and estimated 75 percent of Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos favor the use of creatine.Creatine also received a huge boost when reporters revealed that St. Louis Cardinal Mark McGwire used the muscle-building substance during his successful attempt to break Roger Maris's home run record. Many cited Mark McGwire's monster swing and huge biceps as proof that creatine as a performance-enhancing substance works. McGwire claims creatine is a natural substance and says he plans to keep using it.Many try to explain the significant weight gain while using creatine as simply water retention providing no specific benefit. Creatine does not just hydrate, it may "superhydrate" or volumize your muscle cells to further stimulate protein synthesis and decrease protein breakdown. Make no mistake; volumizing isn't about just water retention, which happens outside the cell. Your muscles really are getting bigger, fuller, and rounder from the inside out. This could enhance muscularity and create an improved environment for muscle growth. A volumized cell is more resistant to breakdown. After a loading dose of 5 grams four times a day for a week, a maintenance dose of five grams per day will give the desired result....
