CHEMISTRY OF CREATINECHEMISTRY OF CREATINE

By Elek Miller and

Christian Resseguie

(And, Of Course, “The Terminator”)

What IS Creatine??What IS Creatine??

• It is a naturally occurring substance in the human body

• It is also a LEGAL supplement taken to enhance anaerobic performance

• The supplement comes in the form of a white, odorless, crystalline powder (Pure or contained in capsules)

What Does Creatine Do?What Does Creatine Do?

• Provides additional energy for your muscles

• Adds volume to the body’s musculature

• Buffers Lactic Acid buildup

• Enhances the body’s protein synthesis

Why Is Creatine Attractive To Why Is Creatine Attractive To Athletes ?Athletes ?

• It increases the porosity of muscles, allowing them to absorb more water

• Reduces pain caused by excessive training

• Creatine can help the body produce ATP energy

What Is The Chemistry Of What Is The Chemistry Of Creatine?Creatine?

• Chemical Name: methyl guanidine-acetic acid

• Common Name: Creatine monohydrate

• Creatine is made up of 3 amino acids: Arginine, Glycine, and Methionine

The Storage of CreatineThe Storage of Creatine

• An average person (around 160 lbs.) has 120 grams of NATURAL Creatine in their body

• 95-98% of the body’s Creatine is stored in the muscles. 2-5% is stored in the brain, heart, and testes

• The amount of natural Creatine contained in an individuals body is proportional to their weight

THE CONTROVERSEY THE CONTROVERSEY SURROUNDING CREATINE SURROUNDING CREATINE

USEUSE

What IS The Discussion All About?

Main TopicsMain Topics

• Is Creatine safe to use over a long period of time?

• If any exist, what are the harmful side effects of Creatine use?

• Should Creatine remain a legal, unregulated sports supplement?

The ArgumentsThe Arguments

• Pro-Creatine• Compared to other

sports supplements, Creatine is fairly safe

• Creatine can be fairly effective (Individuals reported to gain as much as 20 lbs. In 6 weeks)

• Anti-Creatine• Creatine may cause cancer• Creatine only works for

individuals who do not naturally produce enough

• Other ill-effects unknown but possible

• As with other chemicals, overdosing on Creatine is dangerous

• Contributes to unnatural athletic ability in organized sports

What Is Our Opinion?What Is Our Opinion?

• Do not use for athletic competition

• If you are planning on using Creatine, first consult a doctor for the latest medical info

• If you already use Creatine, pay attention to your health and examine yourself closely for side-effects

• Use only the recommended dosage of Creatine for your body weight

Proper Usage Of CreatineProper Usage Of Creatine

• Read all labels and instructions that come with your brand of Creatine

• Drink lots of water while using Creatine• In fact, mix Creatine with water when ingesting• Use powdered Creatine instead of Creatine

capsules• Do not ingest caffeine or citrus while using

Creatine

Proper Dosage Of Creatine Proper Dosage Of Creatine MonohydrateMonohydrate

• Creatine use is separated into two phases: Loading and Maintenance

• Loading Phase: 1-4 days into Creatine use

• Maintenance Phase: 5+ days after start of Creatine use

• To get maximum results, ingest large doses of Creatine during the loading phase and smaller doses during the maintenance phase

Bodyweight Loading Maintenance

1-4 Days 5 Days+

143-163 lbs. 10 g Per

Day (2X)

3 g Per Day

165-185 lbs. 15 g Per Day

(2X)

4 g Per Day

187-209 lbs. 20 g Per Day

(2X)

5 g Per Day

ConclusionConclusion

• At present, Creatine remains an effective legal strength supplement

• Ill effects of Creatine use are not clearly known

• However, scientists continue to intensely research the chemistry of Creatine

• Who knows what they will find?

THE ENDTHE END

HASTA LA VISTA,

BABY!