Creatine for Athletic Performance Essay -- Drugs Sports

Creatine for Athletic Performance The Advantages of Creatine for Enhancing Athletic Performance If, about 5 years ago, you were to tell an athlete there was a supplement (which was not an anabolic steroid or other bodybuilding drug) that would help bodybuilders and athletes pack on as much as 10 rock-hard pounds of muscular bodyweight (which could lead to better performance for athletes) in less then 2 weeks; increase their bench press by 25 lbs. (which also would help in enhancing performance) in a mere 10 days; "get a pump like you were loaded on Dianabol"(Phillips 48) (a pump that last for hours and hours which helps in muscle development); and, all the while, help you run faster, jump higher, recover from exercise more quickly, they would probably tell you to get lost. Well all these facts and more have now been proven to be effective on athletes. "Creatine is the safest, most effective supplement out on the market today," says Ron Terjung, a physiology professor at the University of Missouri. Millions of men are buying the dietary supplement, hoping it is the magic pill that can transform them from scrawny to brawny. Creatine has made a strong impact on the athletic world giving many an edge on the competition and enhancing athletic performance. The discovery of Creatine leads back to 1832. A French scientist named Chevreul, identified a naturally occurring organic compound in meat and then was later found to be manufactured by the liver, kidneys and pancreas using three amino acids. The scientist named the compound Creatine after the greek word for flesh(Phillips 8). Creatine is a compound that is naturally made in our bodies to supply energy to our muscles. It is an energy rich metabolite that is found mainly in muscle tissue. It is responsible for supplying the muscle with energy during exercise. Chemically, it is called Methylguanido-acid. Creatine is formed from the three amino acids, argentine, methionine, and glycogen that undergo a chemical process to form Creat ine. Creatine is manufactured in the liver and may be produced in the pancreas and kidneys. It is transported through the blood and taken up by muscle cell, where it is converted into Creatine phosphate; also called phosphocreatine. This reaction involves the enzyme Creatine kinase that helps bond Creatine to a high-energy phosphate group. Once Creatine is bound to ... ...rcise." Scandinavian Journal of Medicine, Science and sports 3 (1993): 143-149. Bamberger, Michael. "The Magic Potion." Sports Illustrated 4 (1998): 58-61. Casey, A. "Creatine Supplementation Favorably Affects Performance and Muscle Metabolism During Maximal Intensity Exercise in Human." American Journal of Physiology 271 (1996): 31-37. Creatine. Available [online]. Address. http://www.vitamin-planet.com/nutrition/creatine.htm Creatine Monohydrate Frequently Asked Questions. Available [online]. Address. http://www.rnlist.utl.pt/~rmlbgs/atpfaq.tex Phillips, Bill. Sports Supplements Review. Golden, Colorado: Mile High Publishing, 1996 Kreider, B. Richard. "Creatine Supplementation." (Internet) http://www.afpafitness.com/Creatine3.html Silila, I. "Supplementary Creatine as a Treatment for Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina." New England journal of Medicine 304 (1981): 867-870.(Internet) Timberline, David. "Muscles for Sale: Is Creatine Right for You?" (Internet) http://www.accenthealth.com/mh/intheknow/1999/creatine.html What is the Deal with Creatine? Available [online]. Address. http://www.powersupplement.com/creatine.htm