Creatine is naturally produced in the human body using a combination of essential and non-essential amino acids, including arginine, glycine and methionine. About half of the supply of creatine is made within the body by the liver, pancreas and kidneys. The kidneys manufacture a precursor, guandinoacetic acid, and sends it to the liver, which converts it to creatine. The creatine is then transported to the muscles through the bloodstream.
Functions of creatine
Creatine is a high-energy compound that provides a small but readily available reserve of energy that can be used during the first few minutes of intense muscular contraction. The amount of creatine in the body is proportional to the muscle mass: the more muscular, the more creatine the body can store. Creatine significantly increases fat-free mass and total body mass for both men and women and reduces power decline and enhanced performance in exercise involving speed and power.
Creatine also lowers levels of the amino acid homocysteine, a marker of potential heart attacks and strokes and can increase the amount of energy available to the brain for computational tasks, improving mental ability.
Creatine and degenerative diseases
Creatine provides neuroprotection of the degenerative diseases by preventing the depletion of adenosine triphosphate, (ATP) in the brain. Creatine is twice as effective as the prescription drug riluzole in extending lives.
Conditions creatine can help to treat
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease and
- Traumatic brain injury
Natural sources of creatine in alphabetical order
Related subjects
- A-Z of nutrients
- Brain and mental health disorders
- Heart disorders
- Obesity
- Parkinson’s disease
- Sports nutrition
- Strokes
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