11 Reasons You Need Creatine

Creatine has so many potential benefits you may have never even considered. 

- Sarah Butcher

Commonly sold in the form of creatine monohydrate, creatine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. It’s made in the liver, kidneys and pancreas to provide energy to cells in our muscles and other parts of our bodies.

Of course, creatine is popular among athletes for its energy boosting and mass-building effects, but it offers numerous other benefits for healthy people, as well as for those suffering from certain illnesses. Creatine has also been shown not to degrade after ingestion. It’s used by either the body’s muscles or excreted in urine and has also been shown to have no medically significant reported side effects.

Because of its positive effects, creatine is quite popular and consumed as a supplement in the form of energy bars, tablets, powders and drink mixes. It’s widely available at health and nutrition shops, as well as drug stores and grocery stores.

Now that you know some basics about creatine, you might be wondering: Is it worth all the hype? The reality is that creatine does more than just boost energy in your muscles. It can positively affect your mental energy and your overall bodily function. Researchers have taken an interest in this compound and have discovered some fascinating ways that creatine can be used to improve health. What follows are some of the most important creatine health benefit discoveries.

1. Increase Energy

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a significant chemical compound that powers the cells in your body – especially your muscles. According to a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, higher levels of creatine are associated with more rapid regeneration of ATP. That’s beneficial in numerous ways, the first of which being that, because ATP is the compound that powers muscles, faster regeneration means muscles will have more energy.

2. Enhance Brain Function