Creatine for muscle and brain health

From the Archives of docsaleeby.blogspot.com first penned in 1999 and published in 2005. Now I am updating with additional information on benefits.

The Scoop on Creatine Supplementation

J.P. Saleeby, MD
published in Coastal Sport & Wellness Dec. 1999

» Republished in 2005 on a blog

» NOW in 2025, adding information on use in cognitive support

Photo by Aleksander Saks CREATINE

For the athlete participating in sports where strength is an issue the popularity of taking oral synthetically manufactured creatine has entered the spotlight since the early 1990s. Sports figures, such as Mark McGuire who achieved notoriety for his home run record and for taking this ergogenic aid, have added to the hysteria. But what is all the hype about? Is it for everyone? What about potential harmful effects? First of all, what is Creatine? Creatine is a nitrogenous amino acid found naturally in skeletal muscle, heart and brain tissues. In skeletal muscle 25% is found as free creatine while the remainder is in the form of Phosphocreatine (PCr). We produce creatine in our bodies at the rate of 1 to 2 grams / day and an additional 1 to 2 grams come from our diet (mainly fish and meats). Both free creatine and PCr play a role in the formation of ATP, which provides energy in the anaerobic (burst-type) of exercise. [more after this break]