The best types of creatine explained and why it’s the most utilized athletic supplement out there.
As humans we’re constantly looking to make improvements upon ourselves, whether that be in the gym or in everyday life. Most of us are never just content to be average and let someone steal the glory that we could have, especially if you’re a competitive athlete. That being said, supplemenation is huge and one supplement that many athletes use to improve themselves is creatine. However, there are many types of creatine out there, so we are going to cover the best creatine and supplements.
In this post we look at the types of creatine supplements on the market and why top athletes use this supplement for muscle gains, brain health and performance improvements.
(If you want the best rated creatine supplement, here is a quick answer!)
Creatine Overview
In the search for physically greatness and superiority, we have found a number of different tools. Some choose to utilize substances such as anabolic steroids to push themselves while others look to less controversial means to pushing their body to the next level, and by that we mean regular, over the counter supplementation. Supplementation is a route that many will utilize to help obtain more muscular and strength gains, and stay healthy overall.
Supplements consist of over-the-counter products ranging from protein powders to pre-workouts, all with specific goals, whether those goals are strength focused, size focused, or everything in between. That’s right, there are supplements that are aimed at helping an individual gain more energy, while others are aimed at putting on muscle mass or losing fat, and so on. Creatine is another very common supplement that you will see in people’s stacks.
When it comes to this supplement, people do not want to just have anything they can simply find at the health store. People are always looking for the best product on the market and as such are constantly searching for the creatine with the best benefits.
But before we even get into that, we need to discover exactly what the supplement is, what it does to the human body, and the side effects that can occur.
RELATED: Looking for the best option on the market? Check out our official buyers guide review for the best creatine supplements.
What is Creatine?
So for those out there who don’t know or were unsure, creatine is a naturally occurring substance within the human body. Yes, it is a supplement as well, but things are a bit more involved than that. It can turn into creatine phosphate within the body. Creatine phosphate in turn helps create a substance called adenosine triphosphate or ATP. ATP in turn can provide energy to the muscles to promote muscle contractions.
So while it may be naturally occurring in the body, it can also be obtain in other ways. Some of the best creatine products you can consume come from protein filled foods such as meat or fish.
So before you rush out and buy a ton of creatine powdered supplements, understand that the best creatine comes from sources you’re likely to be consuming already. However, you may not be consuming enough creatine, and that is why many people will turn to supplements to make sure they are getting enough.
What Does Creatine do to the Body?
So the big kicker that everyone wants to know about is what does creatine actually do? Why is it such a hot commodity? Well, ever since the 1970s when scientists were researching the effects of creatine on the human body, they discovered that the substance in supplement form could in fact enhance physical performance.
How? It seems that studies have found that creatine can enhance the human body in a number of ways. It has been shown to improve strength, increase muscle mass, as well as aid with quick recovery during a training session.
The muscular boost experienced by the user can make them more explosive and allow them to perform movements with large bursts of energy, particularly during high intensity activities like sprinting or weightlifting.
But here’s the tricky thing about this. Though there is evidence to suggest that the supplement has some great performance effects in some athletes, other users have found little to know difference in their performance after taking creatine, particularly in endurance related sports.
So though you may looking for the best creatine on the market, there’s a chance that you could little to no effect while taking it. Not everyone’s muscles respond to creatine which can make the product a hit or miss for some individuals.
What are the Side Effects of Creatine Use?
Does this supplement actually make you go bald and suppress your testosterone like everyone says it will? Let’s take a look.
Research is put into how creatine can be utilized to help health issues like heart failure and heart attack, as well as a host of other illnesses such as memory loss. But that doesn’t mean that creatine isn’t without its side effects.
While you will not go bald or shut off your testosterone when taking the supplement, many people who take creatine in excess and as such can experience side effects such as weight gain, anxiety, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache, kidney and stomach issues, and rashes. Creatine supplements can also have dangerous interactions with diabetes medications, acetaminophen, and diuretics. Caffeine can actually increase these side effects when taken with creatine.
If you are going to use creatine it’s highly recommended that you drink a great deal of water while doing so to help protect your internal organs. Drinking up to a gallon of water throughout the day while consuming creatine is highly recommended. If you have kidney or liver problems, or suffer from diabetes you should avoid taking the supplement entirely.
What is the Best Creatine?
So after all this you still want to know what the best supplement of this nature is, right? Here’s the short and sweet answer. While there are many different supplements of this nature on the market, it’s best to stick to the typical creatine monohydrate.
It’s on par with any other supplement of this nature on the market and there is no evidence to suggest that other supplements are more effective than creatine monohydrate. So if you’re looking to experiment with the best supplement of this kind, keep it simple and try creatine monohydrate.
Transparent Labs Creatine HMB
Transparent Labs Creatine HMB is clean and effective for tackling all of your strength building needs. With no artificial additives or preservatives, what you get is pure creatine with added HMB for better strength.
Transparent Labs Creatine HMB is one of our favorite creatine supplements as it is great for gains. This supplement combines creatine monohydrate with beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), a natural metabolite. Transparent Labs Creatine HMB promotes muscle growth and strength while still managing to reduce fats. It also contains BioPerine, which helps with easy absorption so it can be put to use much quicker and more eficiently.
Transparent Labs is safe to use and contains no artificial sweeteners. With just $49.99, you get 210 grams per container for 30 servings.
Check out the full review for Transparent Labs Creatine HMB here!
Wrap Up
Overall, creatine is a great supplement for your gains, and understanding the best type can be very beneficial in the long run, which is why we recommend Transparent Labs.
Do you use creatine? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
