Creatine

What are Creatine Supplements?

Creatine monohydrate is a substance that’s naturally found in the human body and is usually stored in your muscles. A lot of times fitness enthusiasts and athletes believe that adding creatine supplements to their routine will be beneficial. The common mistake that most beginner level athletes make is to add a creatine supplement without knowing about it. It is highly recommended that you get in touch with your trainer and doctor to know whether you need creatine supplements and which one would work best for you. 

It helps the muscles to produce more energy and keeps them hydrated as well. Don’t fall prey to the myth that creatine is only used for bulking up. It is ideal of you want to improve your stamina, build strength, and enhance your athletic performance. Creatine supplements are known to increase the water content in your muscles. This is popularly known as cell volumization. 

A lot of times, tiredness and muscle soreness can prove to be a hindrance in achieving your fitness goals. You need that push so that you are able to give your 100% in your workouts, and creatine supplements can act as that catalyst. On regular consumption, you will also feel that post-workout muscle soreness and muscle breakdown have reduced. 

Benefits of Creatine Supplements

Some of the main benefits of creatine supplements are –

1. Helps muscle cells produce more energy
   

   
   Creatine supplements are known to increase your muscles’ phosphocreatine stores. It aids in the formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the key molecule that cells use for making energy and basic life functions. During exercise, ATP is broken down to produce energy. Creatine supplements increase your phosphocreatine stores, allowing you to produce more ATP energy to fuel your muscles during high-intensity exercise.

2. Improves high-intensity exercise performance

   
   Creatine has a direct role in improving ATP production in the body. This means it can improve your high intensity exercise performance and numerous factors like – strength, recovery, brain performance, concentration, muscle endurance, sprint ability, and muscle mass.

3. Speeds up muscle growth

   Creatine is one of the most effective supplements to speed up the muscle growth process. Various research shows that taking it for as few as 5–7 days has been shown to significantly increase lean body weight and muscle size. The initial rise is caused by the increase in the water content of your muscles. In the long run, it also aids in muscle fiber growth by signalling key biological pathways and boosting gym performance.
   

4. May improve brain function

   
   Creatine plays an important role in maintaining brain health. Creatine supplements can increase phosphocreatine stores in your brain to help it produce more ATP. They may also aid brain function by increasing dopamine levels and mitochondrial function. 

Apart from these benefits, some other benefits of creatine supplements are – 

• May help with Parkinson’s disease 
• May fight other neurological diseases like – Huntington’s disease, epilepsy, brain or spinal cord injuries, and Alzheimer’s disease etc. 
• May lower blood sugar levels and may control diabetes  

Best GNC Creatine Supplements in 2023

The best GNC creatine supplement is GNC Pro Performance Creatine Monohydrate. It will help improve muscular energy, boosts stamina and power, and improves athletic performance. It is an advanced formula and is known to be one of the most cost-effective creatine supplements in India. Some of the main benefits are - it keeps cells hydrated, creatine is converted into creatine phosphate, which acts as the perfect fuel for skeletal muscles, keeps you energized throughout the day so that you can push through your workouts and get massive gains, and it builds stamina and improves athletic performance.

Each serving provides 3 g of creatine monohydrate. You can either have it as a pre or post-workout supplement. Add 3 g of GNC creatine to 200 ml water or any other beverage of your choice and make a smooth shake. Since it comes in an unflavored powder, you can even add it to other smoothies or healthy dessert recipes like pancakes, muffins, oatmeal etc.

When and How to Consume Creatine Supplements?

You can take creatine supplements pre or post-workout. Just mix the mentioned amount on the pack with water and make a smooth shake. You can also blend creatine monohydrate powder with yoghurt and fruits to make a delicious smoothie. Ask your trainer to know the right time when creatine supplements will give you maximum benefits. 

There is a slight risk of dehydration when you take creatine supplements. So keep in mind to drink lots of water throughout the day when you start taking creatine supplements. 

Where to Buy the Best Creatine Supplements Online? 

If you are looking to buy the best creatine supplements online in India, then www.guardian.in is the one-stop solution. It is the official Indian website of GNC, and you get 100% authentic and genuine products on the website. 

Go through various customer reviews and ratings to know how the product faired with other people. You can avail of various deals and festive discounts for a more enjoyable shopping experience. It is really easy to shop from the website, and you can get all the products delivered right to your doorstep. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Why do I need creatine supplements? 

One of the most commonly asked questions by fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders is, why do I need creatine supplements? You need these supplements because, due to intense training, your body might not get the required dose of creatine just through your diet. To build proper muscle strength and improve your exercise performance, it would be a good idea to include creatine supplements with other fitness supplements like whey protein or mass gainer to get amazing results. These supplements aid in muscle growth, reduce fatigue and muscle soreness, help in gaining lean muscle mass, and reduce muscle breakdown and cramping after intense workouts 

• Are there any side effects of creatine supplements? 

Some of the most common side effects include – 

• Vomiting 
• Constipation, diarrhea, or bloating 
• Dehydration 
• Muscle cramps 
• Unwanted weight gain
• Headache 

Stop taking creatine supplements and consult your doctor if you think any of these symptoms persist.

• Can I get creatine through natural foods? 

Yes, you can get creatine through natural foods like - red meat and fish. But when you do intense workouts, the creatine levels in the body start receding and they cannot be replenished just by your daily diet. That’s why it is important to include premium quality GNC creatine supplements in your routine. 

• Is it safe to take creatine supplements every day? 

Yes, you can take creatine supplements every day if your trainer has recommended it. Read the dosage instructions on each pack of GNC creatine supplements carefully. Do not consume excess amount as it may trigger allergic reactions. You can combine it with other fitness supplements like whey protein or protein blend, but ask your trainer to recommend the correct dosage. 

• What are some things to keep in mind when taking creatine supplements? 

Keep in mind the following things - 

• Always buy your supplements from a reputed website. It will guarantee you to get best quality products and in case there is any problem with your purchase, you can get in touch with the customer care team. 
• Make sure to have enough water during the day to reduce the risk of dehydration when consuming creatine monohydrate supplements.
• For pregnant women, lactating mothers, and those with a chronic medical condition, it is advised to stay away from creatine supplements, unless especially recommended by their doctor. Discontinue 2 weeks prior to any surgery.
• Read the nutritional information and ingredient list carefully. In case you are allergic to a particular ingredient, you can ask your doctor to recommend an alternative.