Creatine and its current form of use?
Creatine is a natural source of energy which helps skeletal muscles flex by creating a steady supply of energy in the muscles. Protein-rich foods like red meat and seafood contain a good amount of creatine, and organs like the liver and kidneys can also produce creatine in the human body. Although individuals with inactive lifestyles do not have to consume creatine supplements, among gym goers and health enthusiasts, it has gained popularity in recent years.
Rapid Increase in the Consumption of Creatine
In the post-pandemic landscape, a large number of males and females are showing interest in resistance training, and creatine supplements have become a part of their daily routines. Unlike traditional supplements such as protein powder and multivitamins, creatine starts to show noticeable results within 3 to 4 days. The consumption of creatine allows lifting heavier loads with less effort, improving the overall strength of the muscle fibres.
This supplement consists of vital amino acids, which play a crucial role in providing nutrition for the body to make new cells, helping in muscle recovery. Researchers have found a relationship between creatine consumption and improvement in brain functions as well because it is involved in the production of ATP, which is the primary source of energy for the human brain. By supplementing with creatine, individuals may increase their brain stores of ATP, improving cognitive function.
Everyone has the goal of attaining a good physic with minimal effort, and creatine comes with this promise for the ones who want to achieve it in a short timeframe. However, the truth is far from this: creatine is not a magic formula which can help in growing muscle at an exponential speed. The gym goers have to focus on their overall training and diet to see results. Strength training for around- hours a week and a balanced diet have proven to be helpful in developing muscles.
In India, the main reason behind the rise in the consumption of creatine is social media fitness influencers, who generally speak highly about this supplement. Studies have found that 20-25 gm consumption of creatine for 5-7 days is safe, and it can aid in muscle growth among males and females. However, there are some side effects of taking this supplement, which are often ignored by this social media influencer. The overconsumption of creatine can cause dizziness, diarrhoea and excessive sweating. In rare cases, it can also lead to weight gain because of water retention. For this reason, it is suggested to use smaller doses throughout the day instead of all at once.
The big supplement companies that operate in India, like MuscleBlaze, HealhtKart and Nutrabay, are seeing the rise in the demand for creatine supplements as a way to increase their sales. These brands are making deals with popular social media influencers to promote their products and offer special discounts to make the supplement more appealing to the masses. However, most of the influencers do not have any kind of knowledge and expertise regarding supplements, so they are basically promoting products as a part of influencer marketing.
Despite all of these, creatine is considered a safe supplement; this is the reason in India: anyone can buy this supplement from online or offline marketplaces. However, the new gym goers have to understand the fact that creatine consumption is not a must-have for muscle growth, but it is just a glorified add-on. Still, seasoned athletes or beginners can consider creatine supplements as a tool to reach their fitness goals accordingly. The risk of consuming creatine is getting overshadowed by the potential benefits among the Indian Gymbros, which clearly explains the sudden rise in demand.
