Anybody who's dipped their toes into the world of health and fitness will be familiar with creatine – but what does it do exactly?
Arguably the world's most researched supplement, creatine is touted as a must-have for gym rats around the world, with supplement brands boasting about its ability to increase muscle mass and recovery rates.
But what if I told you the benefits extend beyond the premises of your local gym?
Creatine explained
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound produced from amino acids in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. About half of the body's daily creatine supply is created this way, with the other half coming from consuming red meat, seafood and animal milk.
95 percent of the body's creatine is stored in the muscles, while the remaining five percent can be found in the brain, kidneys and liver, according to Cleveland Clinic.
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The links between creatine and muscle building are already well established, but that isn't the only benefit the compound can deliver.
In fact, creatine may be useful for a range of conditions, including protecting against cognitive decline by boosting the brain's natural energy supply, especially during periods of mental fatigue or ageing.
Creatine can also support your overall health, with one study published in the journal Food Science & Nutrition suggesting that creatine supplements had a positive benefit on long Covid patients.
There are even suggestions that creatine can reduce your risk of developing certain cancers, with a study shared in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition stating that by supporting the body's energy system.
Some researchers believe this could help lower the risk of certain cancers because well-functioning cells and a stronger immune system may better protect the body.
The benefits are something which menopause fitness expert Debra Atkinson recently experienced, with the 61-year-old recently documenting her experience of high-dosing the supplement for two weeks.
Atkinson began taking three times the normal dose, around 21-24g, after taking samples at a conference, and it didn't take long for her to see the benefits.
Sharing the results on her YouTube channel Flipping50, Atkinson revealed that she'd experienced an increase in cognitive energy after previously struggling with 'losing her attention span later in the day'.
"I was focusing better. I was not sleep deprived," she added.
As well as feeling more alert, Atkinson also noted a decrease in her likelihood of developing a bad headache or migraine – a claim which some studies suggest is due to creatine improving brain energy, although it is important to note that research is limited in this area.
Topics: Health
Brenna Cooper