REPORTING POINT 11/10

HEALTH NEWS

“Live healthy…Live well”

CREATINE HELPS BUILD MUSCLE – weight or resistance training by itself strengthens muscles and bone.

Creatine, a compound that makes energy available to muscles during times of high demand, can increase the benefits of resistance training. The liver and kidneys make about two grams of creatine every day from three amino acids (glycine, methionine, and arginine) that are in the protein we eat. Supplemental creatine is also sold over the counter as a powder and in pills.

Athletes and bodybuilders become stronger after taking supplemental creatine, and now we know that older men and women can benefit as well.

Creatine is a high-energy compound, so if you have more of it in your muscles, you can lift heavier weights more intensely and longer. Creatine also seems to turn on muscle-building genes, which direct muscle proteins to grow. Creatine also stimulates satellite cells, which are stem cells found in muscle. Satellite cells help form new muscle fibers after muscles have been damaged by injury, disease, or weightlifting. Creatine also prevents proteins from breaking down, which can help preserve bone.

Creatine works in both men and women, although many women do not like the fact that in the beginning it leads to water retention and increased body weight.