What Does Creatine Do?

1. Creatine is found naturally in your body and works as an energy buffer and carrier.
2. It provides a quick burst of energy and is necessary for normal development, brain functioning, muscle health, and sperm function.
3. Creatine is also found in red meat, fish, eggs, and milk, while vegetarian diets are generally poorer in creatine status.
4. As a supplement, creatine is safe and increases energy, cognition, athletic performance, strength, and muscle and bone mass.

Creatine is a carrier of energy and protects your cells

Creatine plays an important role in energy buffering and transport and exists naturally in many cell types, including muscle (95%) but also in non-muscle cells (5%), for example, brain and sperm cells.

Creatine primarily acts as an energy transport system (phosphagen system), but also stimulates energy production by your mitochondria (e.g., the ‘powerhouses of the cell’) that make energy using oxygen (oxidative system). It is therefore very important for energy availability throughout your body, especially for short-duration activities (10-30 sec).

Creatine also protects your cells from damage and may enhance immune cell function, making it much more than just a simple carrier of energy!

Creatine and your health: It’s not all about muscles!

Creatine is vital for:

1. Muscle growth, maintenance, and function

1. 1. As discussed, the primary purpose of creatine is as a carrier of energy and provision of quick bursts of energy for your muscles during short-duration, physical activities (phosphagen system).
   2. Individuals with creatine deficiency disorders suffer from movement difficulties, weakness, and muscle disease. So, creatine essentially ensures that your muscles can do their job (flex and make you move!), stay strong, and are free from disease.

2. Development, memory, and cognition

1. 1. Creatine deficiency affects brain health and can cause significant learning delays, cognitive deficits, autism, and seizures.

3. Sperm function

1. 1. Another interesting fact is that sperm cells deficient in creatine are unable to bend their tails and move efficiently.

In other words, creatine is vital for many body functions and maintaining your overall health.

Benefits of creatine supplementation

Creatine occurs naturally in red meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products, while vegetarian diets are generally poorer in creatine status.

Creatine supplementation (3-5 g per day or 0.1 g per kg body weight per day) is safe and may have many benefits, especially in older adults, athletes, vegetarians, and patient populations, including improvements in:

1. Muscle and bone growth
2. Neuroprotection, memory, and cognition
3. Recovery and athletic performance

While most people are interested in creatine for gaining muscle mass or increasing muscle definition, the associated health benefits go beyond our muscles. For more detailed information on how to use creatine as a supplement to enhance your health, please read the FAQ on our Creatine 1 product page, located on StayAbove Nutrition™’s website.