This week Dr. Dan and I are discussing the topic of Creatine and if it should be one of your staple supplements?
Creatine became a popular supplement in the 1990s with bodybuilders and athletes for increasing strength and building lean muscle mass.
“Creatine Loading” is a common practice of taking larger doses of creatine daily for 7 to 14 days, followed by a “maintenance” amount indefinitely. This “loading” is thought to product faster possible benefits.
However, research shows unless fast results are needed, starting with creatine “maintenance” phase will produce the same results over a 4 week period as “loading”, plus with less bloating and gastric issues.
Creatine can also be used in the treatment of patients with mitochondrial disorders who primarily experience muscle-related symptoms. Creatine taken appropriately with plenty of fluids should not result in cramping or stomach issues sometimes associated with taking this supplement.
