ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
19.07.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


How Creatine Helps To Build Muscle

Author: Shawn Lebrun Author Ranking Silver | Posted: 12-12-2005 | Comments: 0 | Views: 135 | Rating:  (53) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.

Creatine monohydrate can help you build muscle, make you stronger, and get you leaner.

A number of studies have proven that when creatine supplements are used, together with exercise, significant gains can be made in muscle, strength and endurance. It has also been shown to improve muscle strength and decrease recovery time following a work out.

Creatine monohydrate works best for activities that require rapid or intense effort. Activities such as weight lifting to build muscle and sprinting are examples of this type of activity. If you're a marathon runner, you may not see the same type of results.

About 93% of all the creatine in your body is stored in the muscles. The reason it is stored in your muscles is that it plays a key role in providing your body with a boost of energy needed to perform work.

The normal energy cycle of the muscle requires a substance called Adenosine Triphosphate or ATP to fuel it. The muscle usually has enough ATP on board to fuel a burst of work lasting about 6 seconds.

Creatine restores the ATP to a state where it can act as fuel for the muscle and continue the burst of activity for about another 6-12 seconds. This is how it helps to build muscle.

A good analogy is to think of the muscle as if it were a high performance engine. ATP is the gas for your engine and creatine is an octane booster that allows you to get better performance from your engine.

The most common effects of creatine include bigger muscles and increased production of muscle tissue.

This translates into more repetitions, more weight lifted and/or the ability to sprint faster. More work equals more muscle and more muscle equals increased strength and endurance.

In addition to helping to build muscle, creatine has been shown to decrease muscle soreness and recovery time needed between work outs. Obviously, being sore can be a negative factor when it comes to working out.

Activities such as jogging or running may not benefit as much from creatine supplementation as weight lifting. The muscles work slower for these activities and seem to be able to restore ATP at a rate that meets the need.

Creatine occurs naturally and can be produced by the body. It is found in beef, pork, salmon, cod, herring and tuna.

But it's impractical to eat the amount of food needed to achieve the amount of creatine supplementation you desire. Creatine supplementation also allows you to know the exact amount of creatine you are getting.

The normal dose for creatine is between 5 and 10 grams per day. For the fastest results you can "load" the muscles by taking between 15-20 grams of creatine for approximately 5 days.

Once you've loaded the muscles, you can maintain the creatine level by taking the normal creatine dose approximately 30-60 minutes before a work out.

Because it is excreted through the kidneys, and due to the increased risk of dehydration, creatine supplements are not recommended for people with kidney disease.

When you first start taking creatine supplements you may notice an immediate gain of weight of between 2 to 5 pounds.

Creatine causes your muscles to store more water which seems to assist in building more muscle. This is a side effect that causes many people to think that creatine is similar to anabolic steroids. Creatine is an amino acid and does not build muscle in the body the same way that steroids do.

The results of creatine supplements vary from minor to significant depending on the person using them. A number of factors come into play that affects the outcome.

Age, sex, work out intensity and frequency as well as how much creatine store you start with all play a part in the results you will achieve.

If you suffer from any chronic illness or are on prescription medications for your heart, blood pressure or other medical conditions you should always consult your medical provider before taking creatine.

If you're looking to build muscle using only safe, effective ways, creatine may be the supplement to help you do it.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/how-creatine-helps-to-build-muscle-8705.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:
Shawn Lebrun is a fitness trainer and natural bodybuilder. Build muscle, lose fat, and get the body you've always wanted this year by checking out Shawn's informational programs: Shawn LeBrun Fitness programs
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Misleading Mass Building Methods of Body Building
By: Scott Abbett | 01/11/2007 | Fitness
When I was young, I took too many claims made by bodybuilding marketers at face value. I lost thousands of dollars and countless hours of time following lousy advice on how to 'get big naturally'. If you focus on what counts the most in natural bodybuilding, you'll avoid losing the time and money I lost chasing muscle growth in my youth.

Are you Getting the Truth in Bodybuilding Supplement Reviews?
By: Gerry W Marsh | 20/02/2008 | Muscle Building
There is no doubt that some bodybuilding supplements can help you build your body to a higher level of perfection and peak performance - if you are actively involved in the sport of bodybuilding. If you are a competitive bodybuilder, supplements are an absolute must. Getting the whole truth about what a particular bodybuilding supplement does is not so clear cut.

Creatine Use in Bodybuilding - is There a Creatine Edge in Bodybuilding?
By: Gerry W Marsh | 06/05/2008 | Bodybuilding
Many athletes turn to various supplements to get a winners edge but many find they are throwing their money away on useless, and sometimes harmful, garbage. Creatine, however, may actually be able to deliver improved athletic performance - for a short duration. It has been shown to be such an advantage in body building that some countries have banned the use of several forms of creatine in competition.

The Best Time To Take Nutrition Supplements
By: Shawn Lebrun | 16/11/2005 | Nutrition
This article explains the best times during the day to take supplements that help you lose fat, build muscle, and increase strength.

Why Less Is More When Trying To Build Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 21/11/2005 | Fitness
This article will show you that doing more in the gym is not necessarily a good thing when trying to build muscle mass.

How To Get Leaner, Faster
By: Shawn Lebrun | 12/12/2005 | Fitness
If you want to lose fat and get leaner in less time, this article by fitness trainer and natural bodybuilder Shawn LeBrun will show you 2 simple things you can do to start losing fat.

The Simple Basics Of A Workout Routine
By: Shawn Lebrun | 25/12/2005 | Fitness
If you're getting ready to get back to the gym, this article by fitness trainer and natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun shows you the basic fundamentals of setting up a workout program.

How To Set Up Your Weight Training To Build Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 12/01/2006 | Fitness
In order to build the most muscle possible from your weight lifting workouts, you need to know how to set up your routine. This article by fitness author and natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun gives you 10 tips you can use to set up your workout program to

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Oral sex
By: ginsbusy | 12-07-2008
I will be getting married soon and have no experience with oral sex.  When I pleasure my husband orally, what to I do with his semen when he has an orgasm?  Do I spit it out?  Do I swallow it?  Is it harmful to swallow semen?  I am a bit anxious about this and am too embarrassed to ask anyone...if I could even think of who to ask.  Thank you.   G

REMILYN inquiry
By: Ed | 12-07-2008
Any information and studies done for REMILYN. This medication or supplement claim regenerative properties which may help with MS. Thanks

What can I take for mood swings after breast ...
By: Kay | 12-07-2008
What can I take for mood swings after breast cancer and a hysterectomy?

Inexpensive in house program
By: Stormy | 11-07-2008
Is there a short term in house program available for substance abuse in southern Indiana that is not so expensive ?  A place that a physician could go for treatment and not feel extremely uncmfortable ?

Is isodine the same as iodine?
By: Debbie | 11-07-2008
is isodine the same as iodine?

Both of my teenage daughters received the vaccine ...
By: Brxtech | 11-07-2008
Both of my teenage daughters received the vaccine last year. My older daughter has complained of being tired a lot and of having muscle weakness.   I have taken her to the doctor several times in the last year.  They tested her twice for mono, strep, and also did a routine blood count to check for other issues.  What can I do to see if this is related to the vaccine?  It scares me to think that her symptoms could become worse?

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Fitness Articles

Healthy Regular Exercise
By: prabakar | 19/07/2008
Healthy eating and regular exercise lead to an improved quality of life for adults and kids. The program is in a or individual setting. Lie down on your back on a mat placed on the floor. Place your hands behind your head to support your neck. Roll your shoulders blades up off the floor as far as you can.

Great Attractions of Exercises
By: prabakar | 18/07/2008
One of the great attractions of exercises is that they require little equipment and so are much easier to work out than other areas of the body, such as the legs, back, or chest. Pilates is a low intensity workout that involved light aerobic exercise and stretching, and has become a favorite exercise of women.

I Don't Want Thunder Thighs, or a Big Butt...
By: Troy Anderson | 18/07/2008
Insider Secrets to Getting Lean and Sexy Legs and Butt

I Promise it Won't Make You Fat
By: Troy Anderson | 17/07/2008
Women's Fitness Article Uncovering the Fitness Myth of Protein

Addiction: a Holistic Approach to Recovery
By: Patti Desert | 17/07/2008
Holistic Therapy uniquely teaches clients how to safely experience depression, anxiety, and other painful states while learning ways to manage the negative thoughts and destructive behavior that sabotage recovery from addiction.

How to Get Rid Off Those Facial Parentheses (nasolabial Folds)
By: Dr Barry Eppley | 17/07/2008
One of the most common signs of facial aging is the development of the nasolabial folds. Many people find these deepening facial lines disconcerting and frequently seek treatment. Nasolabial fold prominence can be minimized by injectable fillers, implants, or even actual surgical excision. By far, injectable fillers are most commonly used and the particulated fillers seem to be the best choice for this facial area.

Decrease Chance of Dark Spots
By: John Nolan | 17/07/2008
Dark skin, Blemish, dark spots are the top of women's skin problem because if they begin appear on you face, they will make feel nervous. There're many cause of dark spots such as genetic, cosmetic, women's hormone who be in Pregnancy or nearly go to the elderly and the another one main cause is sunlight.

Simple Steps to Detox Your Body
By: John Khu | 16/07/2008
Real detoxification can take time, and as long as you are moving towards your goal, you have nothing to worry about. You don't have to plunge right in and live a whole new life; slow gradual change is the best way to really make progress.

More from Shawn Lebrun

How To Get In The Best Shape of Your Life
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/03/2008 | Muscle Building
Learn what you have to do, each and every day, in order to get the body you've always wanted.

8 Simple Ways To Lose Fat
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/03/2008 | Muscle Building
This article shows you 8 simple, proven ways you can lose more body fat in less time.

To Build Muscle, Get A Tan!
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/03/2008 | Muscle Building
This article by Shawn Lebrun shows you how overtraining with your lifting routine is similar to getting a sunburn when trying to tan.

How Overtraining Kills Your Chances Of Building Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 15/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're not gaining the muscle mass you want from your workouts, chances are, you could be overtraining. This article from personal trainer and natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun shows you what overtraining is and how it leads to problems in and out of th

The Only Way To Gain Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 15/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're looking to gain muscle mass, this article by fitness trainer Shawn Lebrun reveals the only way possible to gain muscle. Start using the principle that's in this article and you'll begin to build muscle a lot faster.

More Rest Means More Gains
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/01/2006 | Health
If you're feeling tired and sluggish, that can negatively impact your muscle and strength gains. This article by fitness author and bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun shows you why resting is important in making muscle gains.

How To Start A Muscle Building Program
By: Shawn Lebrun | 14/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're just beginning to work out, this article by fitness author and natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun will show you how to start your workout program. Skip the learning curve and cut out all the trial and error that most beginners go through.

5 Tools To Help You Gain More Muscle
By: Shawn Lebrun | 13/01/2006 | Fitness
If you're looking to gain muscle mass, this article by natural bodybuilder Shawn Lebrun shows you 5 effective tools you can use in your workouts.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below