Subscribe to our newsletter. T he latest craze among athletes and bodybuilders across America is a supplement called creatine.
Creatine is found naturally in the body and can also be obtained through food and supplements.
Supporters of creatine supplementation maintain that it increases strength, performance, and muscle mass. However, because of the long-term effects of creatine are not known, many people are wary of its use. Creatine is a nitrogenous substance synthesized mainly by the liver and to a much lesser extent by the pancreas and the kidneys, at a total rate of approximately 1-2g a day. The amino acids arginine,glycine, and methionineare combined by these vital organs to form creatine. After synthesis, creatine is carried by the bloodstream to the skeletal muscle cells, where specific protein transporter molecules carry it directly into the muscle until it is needed for energy.