Armand Tecco, M.Ed.
Creatine is an energy-producing substance naturally found in the body.
Research studies have indicated that oral ingestion of the supplement creatine monohydrate has a beneficial effect on short-duration, repetitive bursts of intense exercise such as that experienced in rowing, running, cycling, swimming and resistance training. Scientific studies have also shown that short-term creatine supplementation is medically safe in healthy people. Two issues that have yet to be sufficiently addressed are the medical safety of consuming creatine supplementation over a long period of time and the effects of creatine on performance at lower intensity levels. Creatine is available in powder form or capsules as well as in bars, gels, candy and gum. If you are considering creatine supplementation, be careful about the product's purity and also the dosage requirements.