Although some creatine exists in the daily diet, it is not an essential nutrient because your body can make it from the amino acids L-arginine, glycine, and L-methionine. Provided you eat enough animal protein (the principal source of these amino acids), your body will make all the creatine you need for good health. Meat (including chicken and fish) is the most important dietary source of creatine and its amino acid building blocks. For this reason, vegetarian athletes may potentially benefit most from creatine supplementation.
Twenty grams (20 g) was the daily dose of creatine used in studies on cogestive heart failure. By comparison, we typically get only about 1 g of creatine in the daily diet.)
Creatine's ability to enter muscle cells can be increased by combining it with glucose, fructose, or other simple carbohydrates.11,12 Caffeine may block the effects of creatine.14
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Creatine is a naturally occurring substance that plays an important role in the production of energy in the body. The body converts it to phosphocreatine, a form of stored energy used by muscles. The effects of creatine on general athletic performance are probably the same effects that make it a useful treatment for congestive heart failure. The theory behind its use is that supplemental creatine can build up a reserve of phosphocreatine in the muscles to help them perform on demand. Supplemental creatine may also help the body make new phosphocreatine faster when it has been used up by intense activity.
Evidence suggests that creatine may offer some help for the sensation of fatigue that often accompanies CHF.32-34
A double-blind study examined 17 men with congestive heart failure who were given 20 g of creatine daily for 10 days.42 Exercise capacity and muscle strength increased in the creatine-treated group. Similarly, muscle endurance improved in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 20 men with chronic heart failure.43 Treatment with 20 g of creatine for 5 days increased the amount of exercise they could complete before they reached exhaustion.
These results are promising, but further study is needed.44
Creatine is a naturally occurring substance that plays an important role in the production of energy in the body. Commonly known as an athletic supplement, creatine might also help address the feelings of fatigue that typically accompany Easy fatigability is one unpleasant symptom of congestive heart failure (CHF). Creatine supplementation has been tried as a treatment for this symptom, with some positive results.
A double-blind study examined 17 men with congestive heart failure who were given 20 g of creatine daily for 10 days.42 Exercise capacity and muscle strength increased in the creatine-treated group. Similarly, muscle endurance improved in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 20 men with chronic heart failure.43 Treatment with 20 g of creatine for 5 days increased the amount of exercise they could complete before they reached exhaustion.
These results are promising, but further study is needed.44
Creatine is a naturally occurring substance that plays an important role in the production of energy in the body. Easy fatigability is one unpleasant symptom of congestive heart failure (CHF). Creatine supplementation has been tried as a treatment for this symptom, with some positive results.
Creatine is a naturally occurring substance that plays an important role in the production of energy in the body. The body converts it to phosphocreatine, a form of stored energy used by muscles. The effects of creatine on general athletic performance are probably the same effects that make it a useful treatment for congestive heart failure. The theory behind its use is that supplemental creatine can build up a reserve of phosphocreatine in the muscles to help them perform on demand. Supplemental creatine may also help the body make new phosphocreatine faster when it has been used up by intense activity.
