Creatine Supplements – Protein Boost or Waste of Money?

Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in some foods and also created in the human liver, kidney, and pancreas. Its most common dietary sources are lean red meat, game meat, salmon, tuna, and herring. Creatine is stored in muscles and converted to ATP, an energy source for short duration exercise such as weight-lifting and sprinting.

Some athletes and dieters are tempted to buy creatine supplements, believing they will improve performance. Unfortunately, there is not enough scientific evidence to back this up.

Some people have naturally high stores of creatine, so supplementing does not contribute much. There is, on the other hand, some evidence that high doses of creatine supplementation may cause kidney damage and interfere with the body’s production of the amino acid.

If you’re worried about your energy levels and athletic performance, how about eating whole foods throughout the day, and getting a bit of a boost before your workout? There are some many options to choose from: whole wheat bread, pastas, nuts, brown rice, oats and vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, yogurt, cheese, tofu, turkey, and chicken. Coffee just before your workout can also aid in energy and increasing metabolism.