CHEMISTRY OF CREATINE

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CHEMISTRY OF CREATINE

• By Elek Miller and
• Christian Resseguie
• (And, Of Course, The Terminator)

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What IS Creatine??

• It is a naturally occurring substance in the
  human body
• It is also a LEGAL supplement taken to enhance
  anaerobic performance
• The supplement comes in the form of a white,
  odorless, crystalline powder (Pure or contained
  in capsules)

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What Does Creatine Do?

• Provides additional energy for your muscles
• Adds volume to the bodys musculature
• Buffers Lactic Acid buildup
• Enhances the bodys protein synthesis

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Why Is Creatine Attractive To Athletes ?

• It increases the porosity of muscles, allowing
  them to absorb more water
• Reduces pain caused by excessive training
• Creatine can help the body produce ATP energy

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What Is The Chemistry Of Creatine?

• Chemical Name methyl guanidine-acetic acid
• Common Name Creatine monohydrate
• Creatine is made up of 3 amino acids Arginine,
  Glycine, and Methionine

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The Storage of Creatine

• An average person (around 160 lbs.) has 120 grams
  of NATURAL Creatine in their body
• 95-98 of the bodys Creatine is stored in the
  muscles. 2-5 is stored in the brain, heart, and
  testes
• The amount of natural Creatine contained in an
  individuals body is proportional to their weight

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THE CONTROVERSEY SURROUNDING CREATINE USE

• What IS The Discussion All About?

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Main Topics

• Is Creatine safe to use over a long period of
  time?
• If any exist, what are the harmful side effects
  of Creatine use?
• Should Creatine remain a legal, unregulated
  sports supplement?

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The Arguments

• Pro-Creatine
• Compared to other sports supplements, Creatine is
  fairly safe
• Creatine can be fairly effective (Individuals
  reported to gain as much as 20 lbs. In 6 weeks)

• Anti-Creatine
• Creatine may cause cancer
• Creatine only works for individuals who do not
  naturally produce enough
• Other ill-effects unknown but possible
• As with other chemicals, overdosing on Creatine
  is dangerous
• Contributes to unnatural athletic ability in
  organized sports

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What Is Our Opinion?

• Do not use for athletic competition
• If you are planning on using Creatine, first
  consult a doctor for the latest medical info
• If you already use Creatine, pay attention to
  your health and examine yourself closely for
  side-effects
• Use only the recommended dosage of Creatine for
  your body weight

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Proper Usage Of Creatine

• Read all labels and instructions that come with
  your brand of Creatine
• Drink lots of water while using Creatine
• In fact, mix Creatine with water when ingesting
• Use powdered Creatine instead of Creatine
  capsules
• Do not ingest caffeine or citrus while using
  Creatine

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Proper Dosage Of Creatine Monohydrate

• Creatine use is separated into two phases
  Loading and Maintenance
• Loading Phase 1-4 days into Creatine use
• Maintenance Phase 5 days after start of
  Creatine use
• To get maximum results, ingest large doses of
  Creatine during the loading phase and smaller
  doses during the maintenance phase

Bodyweight Loading Maintenance
1-4 Days 5 Days
143-163 lbs. 10 g Per Day (2X) 3 g Per Day
165-185 lbs. 15 g Per Day (2X) 4 g Per Day
187-209 lbs. 20 g Per Day (2X) 5 g Per Day
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Conclusion

• At present, Creatine remains an effective legal
  strength supplement
• Ill effects of Creatine use are not clearly known
  
• However, scientists continue to intensely
  research the chemistry of Creatine
• Who knows what they will find?

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THE END

• HASTA LA VISTA,
• BABY!