Creatine is more than something to give you a burst of energy. There are all kinds of studies being made, with positive results for creatine supplementation in the health care field. Things like post op recovery, heart attacks, etc
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Also, research has shown that creatine increases the activity of myogenic cells. These cells, sometimes called satellite cells, are myogenic stem cells that make hypertrophy (increase in size of cells) of adult skeletal muscle possible. These stem cells are simply generic or non-specific cells that have the ability to form new muscle cells following damage to the muscle tissue, or to fuse with the existing muscle fibres in the case of exercise to permit growth of the muscle fibre. Following proliferation (reproduction) and subsequent differentiation (to become a specific type of cell), these satellite cells will fuse with one another or with the adjacent damaged muscle fiber, thereby increasing myonuclei numbers necessary for fiber growth and repair. The study, published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine was able to show that creatine supplementation increased the number of myonuclei donated from satellite cells. This increases the potential for growth of those fibers. This increase in myonuclei probably stems from creatine's ability to increase levels of the myogenic transcription factor MRF4 (Hespel, 2001).
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JUST GO HERE
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cre...76D433C30F0F03
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These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
Uses based on scientific evidence Grade*
Congestive heart failure (chronic)
Cardiac creatine levels are reported as depressed in chronic heart failure. Several studies report that creatine supplementation is associated with improved heart muscle strength, body weight and endurance in patients with heart failure. However, it is not clear what dose may be safe or effective. Supplementation is also reported to increase creatine in skeletal muscle in these patients, helping to increase strength and endurance. Well-designed studies comparing creatine with drugs used to treat heart failure are needed before a firm recommendation can be made. Heart failure should be treated by a qualified healthcare professional. C
Enhanced athletic performance and endurance
It has been suggested that creatine may help improve athletic performance or endurance by increasing time to fatigue (possibly by shortening muscle recovery periods). However, the results of research evaluating this claim are mixed. Findings from different studies disagree with each other, and most studies do not support the use of creatine to enhance sustained aerobic activities. C
Enhanced muscle mass / strength
Multiple studies suggest that creatine may improve muscle mass and strength in men and women, particularly when accompanied by increased physical activity. However, studies of creatine in athletes have disagreed with each other. Although many experts believe that creatine may be useful for high-intensity, short-duration exercise, it has not been demonstrated effective in endurance sports. Benefit may be greatest when levels of creatine prior to supplementation are low, and in specific sub-populations such as older men. Creatine monohydrate supplementation did not improve body composition or muscle strength when given before knee surgery, nor did it enhance recovery in one study. Of the approximately 300 studies that have evaluated the potential ergogenic value of creatine supplementation, about 70% report statistically significant results while the remaining studies generally report non-significant gains in performance. Due to methodological problems with available studies, a firm conclusion cannot be reached. C
GAMT deficiency
Some individuals are born with a genetic disorder in which there is a deficiency of the enzyme guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT). A lack of this enzyme causes severe developmental delays and abnormal movement disorders. The condition is diagnosed by a lack of creatine in the brain. Although there is only limited research in this area, significant improvements were noted in two individuals who were given supplemental creatine, suggesting that this supplement may be an effective treatment for disorders caused by a lack of creatine. C
Heart muscle protection during heart surgery
There is early evidence that heart muscle may recover better and more rapidly after open-heart surgery if intravenous creatinine is administered during the operation. Further study is needed before a recommendation can be made. C
High cholesterol
There is limited research in this area, and results from different studies disagree with each other (with some trials noting reductions in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels). It remains unclear what effect creatine has on lipids. Additional studies are needed before a clear conclusion can be drawn. C
Huntington's disease
There is preliminary evidence that creatine may be well-tolerated and safe in Huntington's disease patients. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made. C
Hyperornithinemia (high levels of ornithine in the blood)
Ornithine is a byproduct formed in the liver. Some individuals are born with a genetic disorder that prevents them from appropriately breaking down ornithine, and blood levels of ornithine become too high. High amounts of ornithine can lead to blindness, muscle weakness and reduced storage of creatine in muscles and the brain. Although there is only limited research in this area, early evidence suggests that long-term, daily creatine supplements may help replace missing creatine and slow vision loss. C
McArdle's disease
In McArdle's disease, there is a deficiency of energy compounds stored in muscle. This leads to muscle fatigue, exercise intolerance, and pain when exercising. Creatine has been proposed as a possible therapy for this condition. However, research is limited, and the results of existing studies disagree with each other. Therefore, it remains unclear if creatine offers any benefits to patients with McArdle's disease. C
Muscular dystrophy
Creatine loss is suspected to cause muscle weakness and breakdown in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Animal studies report increased muscle formation and survival with creatine. Studies in humans have been small, although early evidence suggests that creatine may be beneficial in treating muscular dystrophies. Further research is needed. C
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
There is early evidence that intravenous creatine following a heart attack may be beneficial to heart muscle function, and may prevent ventricular arrhythmias. Further study is needed before a recommendation can be made in this area. It has been reported that use of creatine phosphate may have a favorable effect on mental deterioration in "cardio-cerebral syndrome" following heart attacks in the elderly. C
Neuromuscular disorders
Numerous studies suggest that creatine may be helpful in the treatment of various neuromuscular diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and myasthenia gravis, and may delay onset of symptoms when used as an adjunct to conventional treatment. However, creatine ingestion does not appear to have a significant effect on muscle creatine stores or high-intensity exercise capacity in individuals with multiple sclerosis and supplementation does not seem to help people with tetraplegia. Although early studies were encouraging, recent research reports no beneficial effects on survival or disease progression. Additional studies are needed to provide clearer answers. C
Key to grades
A Strong scientific evidence for this use
B Good scientific evidence for this use
C Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work)
F Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work)
Grading rationale
Oral (powder):
General : A wide range of dosing has been used or studied.
Cholesterol reduction : 20-25 grams daily for 5 days followed by 5-10 grams thereafter has been used.
Congestive heart failure : 20 grams per day has been studied for up to six weeks.
Enhanced athletic performance : 5-20 grams daily in divided doses for 4-7 days has been used, with maintenance doses ranging between 2-5 grams daily or 0.3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight daily. One study used 10g daily for 21 days as a maintenance dose.
GAMT deficiency : 400-670 milligrams per kilogram of body weight daily has been used.
Huntington's disease : 8 grams per day of creatine has been administered for 16 weeks.
Hyperornithinemia : 1.5 grams daily has been used.
McArdle's disease : 150 milligrams per kilogram of body weight has been used daily for five days, followed by 60 milligrams per kilogram daily for 5 weeks.
Muscular dystrophy : Creatine 5 grams daily has been studied in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy for up to six months.
Neuromuscular diseases : including muscular dystrophy, 10 grams daily has been suggested, although lower doses (5 grams) and higher doses (20 grams) have also been used.
Parkinson's disease : Preliminary research has studied the dose of 10 grams per day.
Symptomatic treatment in ALS : 20 grams daily for 7 days then 3 grams daily for 3-6 months has been used.
Intravenous/intramuscular:
General : Numerous dosing regimens have been used in studies in humans. Intravenous dosing should be conducted only under strict medical supervision.
May 1, 2006
THIS EVIDENCE-BASED MONOGRAPH WAS PREPARED BY
THE NATURAL STANDARD RESEARCH COLLABORATION
(www.naturalstandard.com)
NS_patient-creatine
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Sep 12, 2006
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Last edited by Traps; 09-16-2006 at 06:05 PM.
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08-23-2006, 08:10 AM
