non-gym benefits of creatine monohydrate.

Have you been going to the gym for a while or are you just starting out? Chances are you have seen or heard someone talk about taking creatine. This is easily the most researched, beneficial, and popular supplement in gym conversations. In this blog I’ll expand on what creatine is, how to use it, what to use it for, who can/should be supplementing with it.

Creatine has been tested and researched hundreds of thousands of times for decades. It is the safest supplement you can take every day for years without harmful side effects. It is an amino acid that is produced naturally in the body, however it is in small amounts so supplementation is needed to maximize the benefits. Once the baseline is built up (typically after a week or so of supplementing) you will start to see the benefits, Even if you are not working out. The best part? You can take creatine at any time during the day. It has to build up in your system and will remain there as long as you continue to supplement daily.

Pro Tip: Take creatine with carbs and electrolytes to maximize brain and muscle absorption.

For the gym goers: Creatine helps to fill your muscle with nutrients to speed up results. This is accomplished by boosting energy so that you can complete more reps, exercise harder without training longer, and Speeding up recovery by pulling nutrients into your muscles. Initially there may be increased water intake (looking like weight gain) but this will normalize after a few days and is no cause for concern. Whether you want to gain muscle or lose fat, you should be using creatine.

For non-gym goers: creatine has many benefits even if you never exercise. It will boost your energy for the work you are doing (gardening or walking the dog for example). Every body is constantly producing energy and creatine helps to increase the efficiency of that process. By feeding your brain it boosts brain function and can help with memory. Research has shown that creatine boosts memory, performance, intelligence scores, as well as increasing dopamine so you are smarter and happier with creatine. It is also a powerful anti-oxidant so it helps to slow the aging process. Proper supplementation can aid in decreasing the daily aches and pains that come from oxidative stress as we age.

For those approaching or In retirement: Creatine fills your muscles which can help tighten skin (prevent sagging). While it isn’t proven that creatine increases bone density it can certainly help to maintain muscle mass and bone density as we age. Creatine is safe on the kidneys, even as kidney function declines due to age, as long as you are properly hydrating and taking the recommended dose of 3-5 grams daily.

Everyone can and should use creatine. Supplementing every day has been shown to be safe, but you could follow 12-weeks on 4-weeks off if you would prefer. Some say that a loading phase is needed, this is only to speed up the effects. Taking 5 grams daily is the most you need to do, you should notice the effects within a few weeks. The supporting research is continuing to grow for creatine and we not only carry it, but use it every day. if we wouldn’t use it we wont carry it. Try it for yourself and see the results you can achieve.