WHAT IS CREATINE?
Creatine is a natural compound, produced by our bodies, that is used to supply energy to our muscles. It is produced in the liver, pancreas, and kidneys, and is transported to the body’s muscles through the bloodstream. Once it reaches the muscles, it is stored as phosphocreatine (creatine phosphate). This high-powered metabolite is used to regenerate the muscles’ ultimate energy source, ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
Unlike steroids or drugs, creatine is 100% natural and occurs naturally in many foods. A range of foods, especially herring, salmon, tuna, and beef, contain some creatine. However, a supplementary dose of creatine remains the very best source because it contains more creatine per weight of material than any other option.
Only in the last 150-odd years have humans voluntarily done exercise for recreation, and only the last few decades, seriously and professionally. As a result, our bodies have never been required to create higher concentrations of creatine. So by demanding our bodies be faster or stronger or bigger, we have the capacity to benefit from creatine supplementation.
HOW DOES IT BENEFIT YOU?
Studies have shown that creatine can increase the performance of athletes in activities that require quick bursts of energy, such as sprinting, and can help athletes to recover in faster time periods. Creatine is also ideal for the serious body-builder, weight-lifter, wrestler and anyone else that competes in explosive activities or those that benefit from muscle size and strength. Because creatine has a direct influence on recovery, training intensity and overload levels are often increased. It helps increase muscle mass, rather than muscle endurance, so it’s not necessarily well suited for athletes participating in endurance activities.
HOW TO USE CREATINE
Excellent results have been observed in taking creatine monohydrate in two different ways.
1. LOADING: This method works very well for anyone who has never taken creatine before. Just as the name implies, it involves loading up or saturating your muscles with creatine. During the first four days to a week, take 20–30 grams per day. Mix it with non-acidic, high GI fruit juice. Grape juice works well. After this loading period, take a regular intake of between 5-15 grams per day to keep your muscles saturated (no need to over do it).
2. SUPPLEMENTING: This is a more gradual approach. Over the course of an extended period, one basically skips the loading phase and just supplements with 5-15 grams of creatine monohydrate per day, everyday. The best results have been noticed when creatine is combined with a high carbohydrate base, such as dextrose (glucose) and taken about 30 minutes before training.
USN CREATINE VARIATIONS
USN Pure Creatine is a pure, unblended form of creatine monohydrate.
Studies report increase of creatine levels will help delay the onset of fatigue, increase energy metabolism in muscle cells and enhance the body’s overall training capacity. This product is to be mixed with a high GI carbohydrate for optimal digestion, absorption and transport to the muscle tissue.
USN Creatine Transport is an advanced post-workout creatine transport and hydration system, scientifically formulated to maximise creatine absorption. It’s essentially a pre-mixed form of creatine monohydrate and Creatine Ethyl Ester, with dextrose, and high GI carbohydrate, acting as a shuttling system along with insulin to effectively make more creatine and glucose available to muscle cells much faster.
USN Creatine X4 has provided a revolutionary form of creatine, which does not rely on insulin for its uptake. Creatine ethyl ester HCL is a fat-soluble form of creatine. It stores a phosphate in the muscle cells for Adenosine Tri-Phosphate to regenerate, thereby allowing for fast muscle recovery during workouts.
USN Creatine Anabolic is a post-workout supplement, designed to shorten the energy re-load time while hyper-hydrating the muscle tissue, increasing creatine loading and retention and ATP regeneration. This is suggested for the serious weight trainer who trains 4-5 times per week on dedicated body parts.
ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS?
The side effects of creatine are minimal and dependent from person to person. They also mostly occur due to an over-dose or dehydration, and they are as follows: muscle cramps, muscle strains, and pulls, stomach upset, diarrhea, dizziness and increases blood pressure. Creatine should not be used by anyone who already has problems with kidney function, high blood pressure, liver disease or those who are under the age of 18. Stick to the recommended dosages, and be prepared to experience the very best size, strength and energy gains possible!
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