Understanding how creatine works
When it comes to supplements it seems creatine monohydrate is one of the most popular used by athletes to help them increase lean muscle mass as well as increasing their strength and energy. Creatine monohydrate is seen by many of those who use it as the most effective natural supplements around. The human body naturally produces creatine in the liver, pancreas and kidneys in order to supply our muscles with energy. Creatine is transported through the blood stream and is converted in to creatine phosphate. Once it reaches the muscles where it is used to regenerate the energy source, ATP.
While our body produces small amounts of creatine we also gain some in the food we eat such as salmon, tuna and red meats. Again there is only a small amount in these, most of which is lost when the meats are cooked. One of the best sources of creatine monohydrate is in creatine powders; these supplements contain pure creatine meaning only a small dose is required on a daily basis.
To understand exactly how creatine monohydrate helps to increase lean muscle mass you must first understand how muscles work and their energy source. The moment you step in to a gym and pick up a pair of weights your body starts to use its ATP supply to give energy to your muscles allowing you to train. Within five to ten seconds of being called upon the energy provided by your body’s ATP has been used up and your body converts creatine phosphate in to ATP in order to give energy to your muscles
If there is not enough creatine phosphate in your body it will start to use glycogen and convert it in to ATP. It takes around twenty seconds to convert glycogen compared to the few it takes to convert creatine phosphate. If your muscles are filled with creatine through taking creatine monohydrate supplements then there will be enough energy to power your muscles for longer while you increase the weights and reps you do, thereby increasing the amount of lean muscle growth.