Okay, maybe that isn’t my best pun, but I do my best. For most of my life, there’s been a fair amount of hype behind creatine. In my twenties, I had plenty of buddies who took creatine powder to try and bulk up, gain muscle mass or in the case of the one friend, just gain mass in general. But what is this stuff and really just how efficient is it? In most cases, supplements generally take months to start having a positive and/or measurable effect on the body or one’s metabolism. Mostly because supplements often have a “loading phase,” where your body requires a period of time to start processing and using whatever supplement you’re on. This is why most health practitioners (at least in my experience) will tell you that you not only have to be consistent with your supplements, but you need to keep taking them to see long term benefits. But let’s focus on the creatine, shall we?
To be honest, with the years flowing past me like some uncontrolled, torrent of aging (yes, I’m bitter), I’ve become very aware that my energy levels and motivation to get off the couch and keep moving is starting to disappear. Although the mind is willing, finding the motivation and energy after a nine to ten hour work day to go home and hammer out an hour of sweat-inducing exercise is not only difficult; in most cases, the lack of motivation wins and we end up binge-watching old episodes of Frasier rather than working out. It’s not a good thing. Especially when you consider that it isn’t about getting buff or becoming a star athlete. It never was, but even less so now. In reality, it’s about maintaining one’s health and constitution well enough to make it to old age and still be able to function independently.
Because of this, I’ve explored a lot of different options for myself in recent years, in an effort to make sure that Type-1 Diabetes doesn’t gain leverage on me AND so that when I reach my seventies, I can still walk, function and take of myself without being relegated to a chair. Seeing both my parents confined to chairs may have had a bit of an effect on this approach. But it’s no secret that I’ve tried a number of things that just haven’t worked for me. And that’s perfectly normal, since what works for one person may not be as effective for another. For example, I’ve tried pre-workout on a few occasions. Doesn’t do a thing for me. Of course, I pound back a fair (but healthy) level of caffeine, so this should be all that entirely surprising. But it just lends itself to the fact that not all supplements provide benefits to all people. That where creatine came in. For months, I’ve been seeing adverts in my online feeds about creatine gummies. Given that I already have a powder-based shake every morning for my protein and my fiber, I was jazzed about the concept of adding another powder to it. Eventually, it stops being a shake and starts creeping into pudding territory.‘
But the gummy aspects fascinated me. So, I started to look into it. According to an article posted by the Cleveland Clinic, “Creatine is a natural source of energy that helps your skeletal muscles flex (contract). It helps create a steady supply of energy in your muscles so they can keep working, especially while you’re exercising.” The article goes on to explain that half of your body’s creatine supply comes from dietary sources, such as red meat, fish and milk. The other half is created naturally by one’s own body. Supplementing with creatine is often done because someone works out a lot or isn’t getting enough creatine through their mainstream diet. Like almost every supplement I’ve ever come across, the article warns of little information about how safe creatine may be if you have Diabetes. While I can confess that I’ve seen this type of warning on almost every supplement, over-the-counter painkiller and product in any pharmacy, this is a good reminder to consult with your doctor or health care practitioner if you’re unsure, or even just to confirm that it’s okay for you to take.
Many of the benefits identified in the article linked above include improvement of some brain function, speedier muscle recovery, increased anabolic hormones for muscle growth and tissue repair, as well as increased muscle hydration. And as we all know, hydration is an important part of not only fitness but your overall health. There are plenty of pros listed for creatine, mostly geared towards one’s muscle mass and development and hydration. But there can be some negatives, as well. The most prominent I’m seeing is potential bloating and/or weight gain due to water retention. Creatine works by pushing hydration into your muscle tissue, so you’ll likely retain much more of your water than you did, pre-supplement.
There are certainly plenty of benefits to creatine supplementation listed on verifiable sites. Another online article by HealthLine entitled “10 Health and Performance Benefits of Creatine” has a pretty comprehensive list, for those of you who want to have a read. The one that stands out for me is the one that suggests creatine “may lower blood sugar levels and fight diabetes.” That peaks my interest. But as with all supplements, it’s important to be patient and be cautious. Do your own research, consult your health care provider and determine what’s best for you. No supplement will automatically turn you into Superman overnight, so remember that you may need to partake of your supplements for some time before seeing any measurable effects. And even WITH the supplements, you may not see the effects unless you put in the work.
For myself personally, I did find some creatine gummies at my local supplements market. I’ve only been on it for a day or two and am still in the “loading” phase, but I’m anxious to see what kind of result it will provide once combined with some exercise. I’m not expecting miracles, of course but at my age, anything I can do to increase my energy levels, maintain my health and leave a prettier corpse behind is okay in my books. I reserve sharing what brand of creatine and where I got it. Maybe in a few months, I’ll share what some of my personal results and findings were. But in the meantime, as you all should, I’ll keep focusing on my blood sugars, my fitness and staying hydrated. Food for thought… ☯️
The Blogging Buddhist 