 |
|
|
Should I take Creatine?Creatine is nitrogenous organic acid occurring naturally in all vertebrates. Creatine helps to supply energy to muscle and nerve cells. Since creatine occurs naturally in humans, sellers claim that users of creatine are free from any side effects. But is creatine really safe? Studies on various groups of people old different age groups, and different genders, have the following results to declare. The question as to whether one should take creatine depends on many factors - like age, sex, and exercise regiment of the user. Users who are into a high amount of physical activity, like sportsmen, atheletes and bodybuilders, find creatine very useful. Physicians recommend that to get the maximum use of dietary supplements like creatine, one should follow a strict exercising regiment. In fact, users not following an exercising regiment have reported liitle or no effects from creatine consumption. More and more research reports suggest that acute creatine use may actually benefit children. However little is known about effects of chronic creatine use in this age group. Physicians and health experts still continue to advice against the introduction diet supplementation in the diet of children. They claim that children, just by participating in daily physical activities, contribute to their bodily performances. It is advised that one should focus on supplement intake when one becomes mature or when such physical activities reach a plateau. Muscular Protein retention begins to decrease in human life after one reaches the age of fifty. This leads to a gradual loss of strength and increasing fatigue. Creatine users among the elderly report a reduction in loss of strength and increased functional capabilities. Users also do not seem to gain weight as younger creatine users do, and this is attributed to a decrease in creatine levels in the human body with age, and decrease of Type II muscle fibers in the body. However, there is a need for more research in this field and particularly, in this age segment. Among men, users suffer from anxiety, acne, male breast formation (Gynecomastia), a reduction in penis size and hair loss. Of these, increased aggressiveness, acne and hair loss are the most frequently reported. Gastrointestinal complications have also been commonly reported among users of creatine supplements. Moreover, scientific studies have proved that increase in body mass from creatine use can be attributed to water retention by muscle. More and more women are resorting to health supplements to complete dietary deficiencies. It has been proved that women naturally have a higher resting level of creatine than men, in their body. This has been found to be the reason why creatine shows time to show visible effects in women. Pregnant or nursing mothers are recommended against the intake of creatine, since conclusive studies haven't been completed on the effect of creatine on mother and child. Though creatine has been blamed for short term discomfort among users, like stomach and muscle cramps, diarrhea and vomiting as well as long term illnesses like gastro intestinal diseases and kidney failure, creatine still remains a popular diet supplement among athletes, body builders and as well as the general population.
|
|
||||||||
