Creatine Health Benefits: Does Creatine have any Legitamate Health Uses?
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Creatine is a safe and research-proven supplement for strength and gaining new muscle mass. However, does creatine have any legitimate
health uses as well? That's a good question. Recent research does appear to show that creatine has some possible health benefits. Several
studies have shown it can reduce cholesterol by up to 15 percent. So far I don't believe anyone knows why it has this effect. A few
studies indicate creatine is also very useful, for certain rare inborn errors of metabolism relating to energy production. Maybe the
most exciting research - that will be coming out soon - involves studies showing creatine might be very helpful in diseases involving a
degeneration of the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis. Recent studies have shown MS and other CNS-related illnesses to be
improved by the intake of creatine. In the near future several articles will be published on this topic.
Of course it's not a cure, but creatine does appear to help with these conditions. For such patients researchers have recommended a
loading dose of] 0 grams a day of creatine for a week followed by a 5-gram maintenance dose from then on. My experience has been, however;
that people with diseases involving the CNS are very susceptible to stomach problems. There have seen reports from people with MS who got
diarrhea from the above dosing schedule with creatine. So my advice would be to start with a low dose like 500 mg per day and raise it by
500mg every week until you reach the desired dose, or the dose that does not cause any stomach upset.
Now, it's one thing to argue back and forth about how important creatine purity is with healthy athletes, but as far as people with these
diseases are concerned, there can be no argument. These people should seek out and use only the purest form of creatine possible. Names
such as Optimum Nutrition, Prolab, NOW Foods and Biochem come to mind as high-quality brands though I am sure there are others.
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