What Creatine Does to the Body

I'm an old powerlifter (lifetime drug-free) and I've been taking creatine for 25 years. My kidneys are in perfect working order and I've never experienced the slightest ill effects. Creatine does put on five or six pounds of visible intramuscular water weight when I start taking it after a layoff, but that's not exactly a problem, unless you're worried about maintaining your weight class in your respective sport. When I first started taking it, without at first really monitoring its effects, I one day was shocked to realize that my deadlift/back training session time had dropped from 40 minutes to 25 minutes! I don't time myself between sets -- I simply do the next set when I feel mentally and physically ready. That is what creatine does.

As someone trying to get into a fitness journey. It's really confusing trying to choose suppliment products. Thank you for a clear and scientific explaination. Great video!

You never pinned the correct answer.

I didn't see it pinned, but methioione is an essential amino acid. While arginine isn't an essential amino acid in adults, it is for children. It's needed for optimal growth. It's also needed in adults for certain injuries and medical conditions such as burns and renal failure. -NIH

So it's one of the few well researched supplements that legitimately work, good to know.

Forwarding this to my mom. Finally settling the argument from when I was taking creatine back in highschool and it not being some sort of illegal preformance enhancing drug. All jokes aside great video!

This is the best fitness/biology channel I have come across so far. Everything makes sense. You explained concepts instead of repeating fitness cliche. Great thing!

I have never really committed to creatine until about 6 weeks ago. The only side effect that I’ve really noticed is weight gain. After my loading phase of 20g for 5 days, and 1.4 tsp (5 g) daily maintenance, I went from around 181 to 188 with ease. I’m around 190 now. My strength is significantly higher, and my metrics such as reps, load, and effort has improved as well. If you can get past the psychological aspect of the water gain (my muscles aren’t looking as “rigid”, but much more supple), then I’d say go for it. It definitely gives you about a 15-20% boost through weight training.

Answering today's question: Both arginine and glycine are considered nonessential because the body can produce them. They are classified as semiessential or conditionally essential amino acids. Amounts needed vary, depending on the age and the health status of the individual. Individuals whose bodies are under stress, such as burn patients, also need more arginine and glycine in order to heal or facilitate tissue growth. Methionine is an essential amino acid. The body does not produce it. It must be obtained from the diet or with supplements. Methionine is needed for normal growth and repair of body tissues. (These quizzes are fun. Thank you!)

I have been training for 10+ years now, and i have been on and off creatine monohydrate several times during this time. And what i discovered, is that for me, not only did i become more resilient, i also became stronger in certain muscles, especially in my arms. And the effect was almost instantaneous. I also recover more quickly and need less rest between exercises. It's truly a magical supplement that i cannot do without anymore. Now I've been on creatine monohydrate for 2 years straight, without any breaks, and there are no side effects to mention. It's all +.

As a healthcare professional and instructor I believe this channel does the public a great service. So many of us know so little about our bodies that it really is shameful. Thank you for your continued work.

I remember my teacher used to play your videos in class all the time. I though you only did regular anatomy and physiology lessons, cool to see that there's also a lot of exercise science stuff too

I’ve been taking creatine for the majority of my fitness journey (7 years) and it’s always been super beneficial. Also, I still have my hair!

Thank you so much for such an in depth talk on the subject at hand. I have taken creatine for years, and works well for me, but stopped a year ago since I was beginning to think I did not need it. Now, as I am getting back into rougher exercises, I find myself missing out on a couple of reps, which was unusual for me. Your information has answered my questioning and back to creatine I go, haha!

Vegans 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

I'm not a medical student nor had any related thing from med. But I am fascinated from this, every single one of your videos. You explain everything so clear. Really I learn lots. In fact I'm an architecture student, and I think med also suits for me🤔😊 keep up!

You do such a great job of blending chemistry, biology, and anatomy in a way that makes sense! Wish I could’ve learned it like this in school.

I used to take Creatine and I found it did help increase my strength when exercising. However, I did suffer from muscle cramps during that time period. It was recommended that you drink alot of water when you're taking creatine supplements, and I can verify that is a good idea.

One of the best channels i have ever subscribed too. So much scientific explanation so easily explained. Thanks mate and keep it up!

I have a bad mid back sprain where I tore some muscle and spinal ligaments. It's slowly getting better over 4 months but pain never really goes away. So it just hit me that body builders use whey protein with creatine and all that other stuff in it to recovery from working out. It has really sped up my recovery too. No more pain and full motion again.