Quick Review: Creatine

Creatine is an important organic acid that keeps energy levels high in muscle cells. It is found in vertebrates and keeps the ATP/ADP high ensuring there is lots of ATP available to act as fuel to hard working muscle cells. In the human diet most creatine comes from meat and fish but some is also generated by the liver itself. Using nutrition supplements containing creatine boosts the level of this important chemical in the body and can help it to work more efficiently during exercise. This extra creatine can be particularly beneficial to people on a vegetarian diet.

There are many inherited medical conditions where the cellular levels of creatine are severely depressed. Because of this there is increasing interest in the use of creatine as a therapy for muscular, neurological and neuromuscular diseases like arthritis, congestive heart disease and mitochondrial disease. Creatine really is an essential part of a fit and healthy lifestyle.