Creatine and its Dangers Essay -- Athletics Health Essays

Creatine and its Dangers Creatine is a very controversial supplement on the market today. Many endorse the uses of creatine, but others are skeptical about the advantage a person receives from taking it and the dangers one inherits as a result of creatine consumption. The debate remains due to the short amount of time that creatine has been available. People base their opinions on preliminary studies that have been done but no one knows the long-term effects of creatine on the body. Many take the risk without vast knowledge, but others still remain skeptical based on preliminary evidence that discourages the intake of creatine. How Creatine Works Creatine is naturally produced in the body in the liver, pancreas, and kidneys. It can also be provided to the body through the consumption of fish and meat. (http://www.mothernature.com/ency/supp/creatine_monohydrate.asp) Creatine aids in the process of ATP which is energy used for quick, explosive activities such as the sports listed above. When ATP levels drop, muscles become fatigued. â€Å"Regeneration of ATP is essential if fatigue is to be delayed,† according to Charles P. Bolotte, MD. (http://www.lsms.org/journal/98creat.html) In theory, taking more creatine supplements allows for more creatine to be available to synthesize more ATP and therefore causes less fatigue in muscles. ATP is readily available energy for the body that is used in everyday activity. The synthesis of ATP is needed for all activities in the daily lives of people. It is used in the transmission of nerve signals, the movement of muscles, the synthesis of proteins, and cell division. Energy is released when one of the bonds between the end phosphate group is broken and the molecule becomes... ... only proven method for increasing physical shape and muscle mass is hard athletic training. Bibliography Ekblom, B. (1996). Effects of creatine supplementation on performance. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 24, 38-39. Juhn, M.S. & Tarnopolsky M. (1998). Potential side effects of oral creatine supplementation: a critical review. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 8, 298-304. Stone, M.H. et al. (1999). Effects of in-season (5 weeks) creatine and pyruvate supplementation on anaerobic performance body composition in American football players. International Journal of Sport Nutrition, 9, 146-165. Vahedi, K. & Domigo, V. & Amarenco, P. & Bousser M.G. (2000). Ischaemic stroke in a sportsman who consumed Mahuang extract and creatine monohydrate for body-building. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 68, 112-113.