Following the wrestlers deaths was the news that home-run record holder Mark McGwire was on a heavy regimen of various supplements, including creatine. McGwire s use of the supplement brought forth issues about the legality of the product in amateur and professional sports. Although the supplement is FDA approved for sale on the health market there are those who believe it is equivalent to illegal steroids. These issues raised the attention of my partner and I as to the effectiveness as well as the risks of creatine supplements. My partner noticed the large percentage of people using the supplement at her local gym and after discussing their results with many of them she became more curious as to how the creatine works and if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Creatine is an amino acid that the body produces naturally in some of the organs.
We also consume large amounts of creatine in foods such as beef, fish, and other meats. There are different types of creatine available on the market. There is creatine kinase, creatine monohydrate, as well as many cheaper and less pure versions of the supplement. However,the idea behind the supplement is essentially the same for all types. Creatine is stored in the muscles and works to power explosive bursts of anaerobic activity.