How Does Creatine Work?

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the initial fuel for muscle contractions. For short-duration explosive sports, such as sprinting, weight lifting and other anaerobic exercises, ATP is the energy system used. Creatine increases energy of muscles by increasing the amount of ATP.

ATP provides energy by releasing a phospate molecule, at which point it becomes ADP (adenosine diphosphate). The energy produced during this process lasts only seconds. Once the energy is used, more ATP must be produced. This is where creatine phosphate, or also called phosphocreatine (the form that creatine is stored in the body), comes into play. It gives its phosphate to the ADP making another ATP. This ATP again, is used as energy for a few seconds and then the process repeats. This process is called ATP regeneration.

ATP regeneration keeps your body from relying on glycolysis, which is a process where lactic acid is built up during your workout. Reduced lactic acid allows you to workout longer and harder, thus maximizing every muscle’s workout, and allows you to gain more muscle, strength and size. Your ability to generate ATP depends on your supply of creatine.

The more creatine you have, the more ATP you'll be able to produce. You will eventually lose energy molecules, however, so no matter how much creatine you have in your body it won't do any good without the presence of the energy molecules. The production of these energy molecules depends heavily on ribose.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Creatine!
A FREE and In-Depth Report On Creatine's Usage in Sports , Health and Anti-Aging Written by Will Brink, a noted sports nutrition expert and trainer, this FREE 43-page report exposes the facts and fiction of creatine and details its effects on the brain, heart, the body's production of growth hormone, anti-aging effects, fatigue, muscle atrophy, Parkinson's disease, and much more!
In this FREE creatine report you will learn: What creatine is and how it works What creatine may do for you How safe is creatine How to use creatine properly Loading and maintenance phases Importance of creatine purity
As with all Will Brink's writings, this report is based on the actual studies with creatine and backed with scientific references - not conjecture and pseudo science many self-proclaimed "experts" rely on.

Your email is totally secure and is never shared or sold with anyone! View my privacy policy.

Recommended Reading:

Creatine Supplements: What are They and Do You Need Them?
Creatine Monohydrate: The Creatine of Choice
Creatine Benefits: Increased Energy, Strength, and More
Harmful Side Effects of Creatine - Should You Be Concerned?
Creatine Loading and Creatine Cycling: Are They Necessary?
When to Take Creatine for Optimal Results
Considering Creatine? Why Creapure Should Be Your Only Choice
Creatine Articles