 | Aaron McConnell is owner and operator of MAC Fitness in Pittsburg. Aaron is a former Pittsburg State University, NFL, and AFL football player. He was the only 4 time All-American at Pittsburg State, was on the AFL All League team in 2008, and because of his ability to play both offensive and defensive lines, he was selected to the 2010 All Iron Man Team. For more information or to reach Aaron, please call 620-875-1104 |
Fitness
2011-12-27 11:31:39
Advantages and disadvantages of creatine
Q: I am a high school athlete. I’m considering taking creatine to help build muscle. What are the pros and cons of this?
A: You should treat creatine supplements the same as you would prescription or over the counter medications. Only do it after you have investigated all of the advantages and disadvantages.
First, let’s discuss what is creatine. Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid in the body, mostly found in muscles. It is also found in the foods you eat, such as meat and fish. It can also be created in a laboratory. Creatine is most commonly used for improving exercise performance and increasing muscle mass in athletes. Some research supports the use of creatine is improving the athletic performance of young, healthy people during brief high-intensity activity such as sprinting.
Advantages of Creatine
When creatine supplements are taken to help build bigger muscles and for helping athletes perform better, there may be a number of advantages to taking creatine supplements.
• It helps deliver more testosterone to the cells of the body, which can lead to bigger muscle mass.
• It can help draw more liquid into the muscles, which can give bodybuilders a 3% to 10% increase in muscle mass.
• May help athletes workout longer, as supplements can help reduce muscle recovery time and can make muscles be able to withstand activity that is more strenuous.
Disadvantages of Creatine
There are also some disadvantages in taking creatine supplements you should consider. Medical research has identified some issues, which include:
• Diarrhea and stomach pain
• Sudden mood swings especially with young people
• With long-term use, studies that have shown that creatine supplements may cause kidney damage, and physicians advise their patients not to take the supplements on an on-going basis
Supplements can be helpful when used wisely and under the care of a physician. Before taking any supplement, do your research.
