Creatine Supplementation

If you are a bodybuilder or fitness buff, you probably incorporate one or more supplements into your fitness regimen. The most commonly used muscle building fitness supplement in use today is creatine. While creatine is, in fact, a natural component of skeletal muscle in the body of every human, it is generally not found in abundant enough quantity to substantially increase muscle mass, even during the course of extreme exercise. And while the body will derive creatine directly from food, primarily fish and meat, this too is not enough to substantially increase muscle mass.

This is where creatine supplements come into play. They are great (and generally inexpensive) way to supplement the amount of creatine in the body, and to elevate it to such levels that muscle mass is directly and positively impacted. Creatine bodybuilding supplements are generally available in the form of pure creatine or as combination supplements that incorporate creatine with stimulants, vitamins, minerals, and/or additional supplements. If you choose to utilize pure creatine, chances are you will want to create a stacking regimen in which you add additional bodybuilding supplements to your repertoire to maximize your results.

Those who have chosen to incorporate creatine into their regimen swear by its ability to build lean muscle, and to do rapidly. The main downside to creatine is that it can be unpredictable, and often dosing adjustments are needed to provide users with the best possible results. When initially incorporating creatine into your routine, it is vitally important to read the label of your chosen supplement product carefully and to fully understand its ingredients and any potential interactions that may be inherent; particularly if you are stacking supplements.

Finally, when you utilize creatine it is important prevent overdosing. Too much creatine can actually cause damage to the liver and/or kidneys as it is eliminated from the body, so use it with care.