Definition:

Creatine is a nitrogenous compound that is normally found in vertebrates. Creatine is made up of three amino acids (glycine, arginine and methionine), these amino acids are among the twenty essential amino acids of body. These amino acids once combine by peptide linkage (a link that join the amino and carboxyl group to form bigger molecule) results in formation of protein. Thus creatine is very useful compound as it supplies energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to all part of the body and most especially the muscles.

 HOW WE GET ENERGY FROM CREATINE:

As we know that amino acids are building blocks for protein thus creatine is one of the amino acid, so work as protein building blocks. Creatine is synthesized by human body in the liver, pancreas and kidney. After synthesis it is then converted to its phosphate form, called creatine phosphate or phospho creatine which is usually stored in muscles. When we perform work or do exercise, this creatine phosphate is converted to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is the source of energy.

 CREATINE SUPPLEMENTS:

 Due to increase in uses of creatine, nowadays supplements of creatine are easily available.

 Mostly supplements of creatine are available as:

• Creatine monohydrate
• Creatine ethyl ester
• Creatine alpha ketoglutarate

 USES:

Increase muscle mass:

As creatine increases the muscle mass thus nowadays it is widely used b body builders, athletes and wrestlers.

HOW IT INCREASES MUSCLE MASS:

Creatine has muscle protein synthesizing action, due to which energy stored I muscle increases. This is because it minimizes breakdown of protein and fill muscle completely with water (means hydrate muscle cell). Thus as a result the growth of muscle increases, muscle fibers become bigger and stronger- which will be helpful to increase ability for exercise, provide more energy and increases recovery rates.

 IN Heart Diseases:

It has been find out that creatine supplements decreases the fat (triglyceride) in human body thus mostly used in person having abnormal amount of fat.

 In Parkinson’s disease:

In Parkinson’s disease the strength and mass of muscle decreases, it has been observed that if creatine is given to such patient then their muscle ability to do exercise increases and their mood also enhances.

In Muscular Dystrophy:

 In muscular dystrophy the level of creatine falls thus if it is given to such patient then muscle movement seems to improve.

 In reducing weight:

 Creatine is also helpful for reducing weight by burning the fat. 

 How it decreases fat:

Once creatine or creatine supplements are taken then they reach to muscles where they attract water, so muscle cells fill up with water. Due the water the muscle expands increases in size become bulky, as they become bulky they need more fat, so attract body fat towards them, which upon exercise results in burning of body fat.

 SIDE EFFECTS:

Up till now adverse effect of creatine has been reported only that it increase muscle mass (which is great advantage for body builders and athletes). There are some concerns that it affects the hydration status (lead to dehydration), cause heat loss, muscle cramp and diarrhea, but these effects are not proved experimentally. There is little concern today that use of creatine cause kidney damage like interstitial nephritis, thus patient with kidney disease must avoid it. Similarly liver damage is also in concern, so people with liver damage must avoid creatine supplementation. But still there is no evidence proved for liver and kidney damage by oral creatine supplementation.

INTERACTIONS OF CREATINE:

Care should be taken with creatine in taking following medicines:

• As it causes the possible kidney damage thus it should not be taken with drugs that potentially affect the kidneys like aminoglycosides, NSAIDS, and immunosuppressant.
• It should not be taken with ephedra because the chances of strokes are there.