Creatine Monohydrate is one of the most clinically studied supplements ever! Early on it had mixed reviews and for a brief time it was even considered to be dangerous, but with recent studies, it has become a go-to supplement staple.
Creatine from discovery to supplement
For decades creatine has been a staple for bodybuilders and athletes since being discovered as a supplement in the 1970’s but creatine was first discovered by French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul back in 1832! He first observed it when studying skeletal muscle and by the 1920’s scientists were able to figure out that it played a crucial role in energy production during muscle contractions.
It would be about another 50 years though until it would be used as a supplement, first seeing the light of day in the Olympics. During the height of the Cold War the Olympics played as a pseudo battlefield for the US and Soviet Union and each team would take any advantage they could get. So they turned to using Creatine as a supplement to boost the performance of their teammates during the events. Trying to maintain their advantage they kept it under wraps and Creatine wouldn’t debut stateside until the 90’s.
Creatine’s infancy to now
When creatine first came out as a supplement in the US, there was some controversy as to whether if it was a safe supplement to take. This was due to its conversion to creatinine in the body when interacting with the acid in the stomach. Doctors in the 90’s warned of excessive use leading to liver issues. This would eventually subside as study after study rolled in showing that Creatine was not only effective but generally safe to healthy adults.
Creatine can still get a bad rap due to its potential to cause stomach cramping. It does not happen to everyone but there is a small percentage of people who can experience it. Several companies came out with “buffered” versions of creatine to improve its efficacy with the added benefit of preventing the cramping as well.
Creatine for brain health
In the past decade research has gone into the effects of Creatine on the brain and the results have been quite impressive. In 2021 a clinical study was published in the National Library of Medicine showing Creatine’s role in health and disease. The study found that on top of its muscular benefits it had neurotprotective properties helping with anti-aging in the brain, anti-cancer properties lowering the risk by 14%, improving focus and mental fatigue, the ability to help with Alzheimer’s, among other benefits.
With all these added benefits Creatine is now becoming not only one of the most widely studied supplements but also one of the most used supplements becoming a staple for everyone. Try adding it to your routine and experience the benefits!
What’s your experience with Creatine? Let us know in the comments!