Creatine is not actually a drug, it is a natural substance that our bodies produce. It's a combination of three amino acids: glycine, arginine and methionine. We can get creatine from our diets, mostly from animal products like meat or fish. Whatever creatine is stored is usually stored in our muscles.
It helps the body do so-called "explosive" high intensity and repetitive exercise. This means that you can get a better workout when you take creatine, and you'll feel better after your workout too, since your muscles can cover much more quickly from fatigue. It helps reduce the accumulation of lactic acid after your workout, which will help you avoid muscle soreness after your workout.
Though you could easily get creatine from your diet like most people do, you can also take supplements to receive higher volumes of the substance. If you do it properly then your muscles won't be as sore, and that means you will be able to exercise much more than you would have normally. This is a great help to those who want to do a lot of exercise and build their bodies up.
So how exactly does this work? Basically there is a substance known as adenosine triphospahte, otherwise known as ATP, which is stored in your muscles until you require it. When it is required it is given to you instantly, and that is the explosive benefit that you get during your workouts.
After ingestion creatine is transformed into creatine phosphate, which replenishes ATP in muscles. Throughout exercise routines and workouts, ATP is turned into adenosine diphosphate which is also known as ADP.
This is what creatine does for you. It replenishes that lost the phosphate molecule so that you have a ready supply of ATP once again. Used correctly, creatine can increase your workout times and give you better muscle mass.
There are of course downsides to taking creatine and one of them is that it will make you retain water within your muscles. What does this means? It means that you need to drink more water if you want to have a prayer of compensating for that water being kept within your muscles rather than the other organs in your body.
Creatine can help you work out longer, harder and more frequently than you can without it, which can help you build muscle faster. It can also greatly reduce muscle soreness after workouts, which not only means you can work out sooner, but you'll also feel better.
There are some drawbacks to actually using creatine however. One of these drawbacks is that you'll gain weight due to the water being held within your muscles. This won't hurt anything, but you do need to be prepared for it when you step on your bathroom scale. You may also become dehydrated and experience other symptoms such as seizures or even vomiting. If you have kidney problems you should also avoid taking creatine.
Diet is very important, and this is just as true when you're taking creatine. Regardless of the supplements that you take, you're still going to require a decent diet and your body won't function quite as well without it.
Regardless of how much creatine that you take, it won't make any difference at all if your diet is just junk food. Make sure that your diet is made up of complex caps, lean proteins, and fruits and vegetables. This will help you to maximize your workout and make sure that you are getting everything that you need.
Muscles need a place to start, and that's why diet is so important. Make sure that your diet consists of adequate lean proteins like lean meats, fish, complex carbs, and lots of other things.
Using these guidelines, creatine will help raise the efficiency of your workouts, and your muscle mass will increase so long as you do it right.