Creatine May Beef Up Brawn and Brain Functions
By Kevin A
Creatine was first discovered in the 1800's as
an organic pre-protein compound found in meat. The scientific name for it is
methyl guanidine-acetic acid. Synthesis of creatine takes place in the liver
and kidneys by amino acids. It is then transported by the blood to other parts
of the body for use by muscles. It is believed that our bodies are able to
store up to 95 percent of the synthesized creatine in muscle tissue. In the
1900's creatine gained popularity as a natural aid to improve athletic performance
and enhance muscle mass. Experts also believe that creatine plays a role in
maintaining energy production in the brain. Creatine can be found in dietary
sources such as meat products and dietary supplements.
For years creatine has been the favored ergogenic
aid of sportsmen for enhancing sports performance. However, results from a
recent study show creatine may not only be useful for beefing up muscle
prowess; it may also be used to boost memory and general intelligence. The
results from this new study hold promising news for businessmen, housewives,
the elderly, and university students looking for boosted memory performance
just before exams.
According to study results published in the
British Journal of Nutrition, vegetarians showed marked improvements in memory
after taking creatine supplement for five days. This indicates that people with
lower muscle levels of creatine, typically vegetarians and vegans, may benefit
the most from creatine supplements.
The trial study recruited 121 young women, a
mixed batch of vegetarians and omnivores. They were randomly given either a
placebo or a creatine supplement (20 grams a day of creatine monohydrate) for
five days. A battery of cognitive tests was performed both before and after the
trial. Creatine supplements gave a quantifiable boost to memory power. The
results showed that creatine supplements improved cognitive functions in
vegetarian women by 40 percent, when compared to the placebo group. In both
vegetarians and omnivores, creatine supplementation reduced the variability of
the women in their responses to a choice reaction-time task.
Previous studies have also suggested the role
of creatine in cognitive performance. Dr. Caroline Rae, who led a study on
creatine supplements in 2003, believes that creatine increases the amount of
energy available to the brain for computational tasks, thus improving general
mental ability. In the study conducted on 45 young adults who were vegetarians,
creatine supplementation showed a significant positive effect on both working
memory and intelligence-tasks that require speed of processing. The findings
underlined the dynamic role creatine plays in influencing brain performance.2
The mechanism
Phosphocreatine is a compound that acts as a
reservoir of high-energy phosphate and may serve a role in neurotransmission.
Levels of phosphocreatine are regulated by the enzyme, creatine phosphokinase,
concentrated in the synaptic regions of the brain. High concentrations of
phosphocreatine are found in the hippocampus, often referred to as the seat of
learning and memory in the brain. Because of the uneven distribution of
creatine phosphokinase, researchers believe that creatine does not work in a
general way to improve brain functions. It may be able to improve certain
aspects of cognitive functions and not others.
Other functions of creatine
Creatine is believed to:
·Help create energy in the body
·Help increase muscle mass, possibly due to
its ability to draw water into muscle tissue, thus expanding its size.
·Creatine may have anabolic benefits. In this
state, protein synthesis may occur at a greater level, maximizing benefits to
muscle.
·Creatine is used to alleviate muscle
soreness.
Creatine formulations include
·Creatine Monohydrate
·Creatine Ester Ethyl
·Creatine Citrate
·Ester Creatine, or Creatine Ester Ethyl
Hydrochloride
Creatine delivery forms
Popular delivery forms include micronized
creatine powders that dissolve quickly and completely in a liquid drink.
Creatine supplements are found in liquid delivery forms as well. Creatine chews
and creatine energy bars are also popular for loading and maintaining creatine
levels in the body.
Manufacture Your Own Creatine Supplements.
Nutricap Labs, a high-quality sports nutrition
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manufacturing solutions. A highly-qualified research team, experienced in
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For more information on how to start your own
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Nutricap Labs is a high-quality sports nutrition manufacturer and nutritional supplements manufacturing service.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kevin_A/260517
