Let’s chat about Creatine . . .
How and why Creatine is beneficial for EVERYONE
I get this question a lot, “Why would you have me take creatine if I am not an athlete?” says Registered Dietitian, Carla Nowicki of Pursuit Nutrition. Her response is the same for everyone, and goes something like this.
First off, what is creatine? Creatine is an organic substance that is found in muscle cells. It helps muscles produce energy during heavy lifting or high-intensity exercise. There are a TON of athletic reasons to take creatine. Let’s start with the athletic benefits first, since those may be a little more common. Creatine is an amazing training supplement, especially if taken daily as recommended. Creatine as a sports supplement helps you train harder by training and staying in your top energy system more repetitively throughout your training session. In the long term, this means that you will train harder and heavier for more sets – aka you will get stronger, faster. For athletes at risk of concussions or large amounts of dehydration, creatine holds a serious protective advantage.
Aside from it’s athletic benefits, creatine has been found to decrease the risk and/or severity of cognitive disorders like Alzheimers disease. Creatine is also one of the cheapest, safest supplements out there, so it’s more accessible and less risky than many other options.
Creatine has the potential to increase power output and help retain lean body mass. This is especially helpful as individuals age. Muscle mass, especially power muscle type fibers degrade the quickest. To decrease risk of injury and falls later in life, it is important to maintain strong muscle now, and keep them that way for as long as possible.
If you have any questions about Creatine, or other supplements, feel free to email Carla at [email protected].