Pure Creatine™

Brief description:

100% pure pharmaceutical grade creatine monohydrate.

Product Quantity:

200g & 500g.

What is creatine monohydrate?

Creatine monohydrate is a unique, naturally occurring amino-acid, and is found in small amounts in our diet. Creatine monohydrate is absorbed into the muscles where it is responsible for energy production. Active sports people use creatine up more quickly. For this reason they need to supplement their diet with creatine for peak performance: Diet alone will not provide enough of this essential energising nutrient.

How does it work?

Creatine monohydrate is absorbed from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream. Then it is absorbed from the blood into the muscles, where it is converted into creatine phosphate (also known as phosphocreatine). Creatine phosphate then converts ADP (adenosine diphosphate) into ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Muscle tissue can only function when ATP is present. When the muscle needs energy, it uses ATP, which in the process is converted back into ADP. Creatine is responsible for recycling the ADP into the energy rich ATP. Creatine maintains high levels of ATP inside the cell, so that there is always energy available. Creatine may also help prevent the build up of lactic acid & spare the body's glycogen levels (another form of energy), which may offer endurance benefits.

What are the benefits of using creatine?

The effect of creatine is dependent upon the type of exercise, not on creatine alone. So a person, who doesn't use heavy weights, won't grow big muscles. People who don't want large muscles, but still want enhanced performance, shape & definition, should take comfort in this fact. Creatine is the supplement for them too. Creatine will have beneficial effects in different ways depending on the type of activity:

Creatine enhances performance in 6 ways:

1. Increasing exercise intensity: The muscles are able to contract more powerfully, because of the high levels of ATP inside the cells at any particular time. This results in increased strength. The muscles can also contract for a longer period of time because of the increased storage of ATP within the cell.
2. Prevents fatigue & recharges the muscle: The muscles can contract for longer, before running out of energy. This is because creatine ensures that there is the maximum amount of ATP stored up inside the cell. When all the muscles' energy (ATP) is finally used up, the muscles become exhausted. Once this occurs, if the muscles are allowed to relax for a few minutes, creatine quickly creates more ATP. This allows you to continue your routine, where normally your muscles would be too exhausted.
3. Recovery between exercise: Creatine is able to help muscles recover more quickly between exercise sessions. This results in less stiffness and muscle fatigue the next day. This is due, in part, to the ability of creatine to help prevent the build up of lactic acid within the muscles.
4. Lean muscle growth: If weight lifting (resistance) exercise is performed, creatine will cause an increase in lean muscle mass. This is because: (a) Creatine allows the muscle to work harder, longer & more often, and (b) Creatine may actually send a chemical instruction for the muscle cells to become thicker with more muscle tissue.
5. Fat Loss: With creatine, your metabolic demands will be higher. This is due to an increased ability to exercise, as well as the high energy demand that an increased lean muscle mass will require. This energy will be supplied by your diet & your body's fat reserves. Fat loss is not the same as weight loss. This is because, as the fat is used up, you will gain muscle definition. Muscle is more dense than fat, so your weight may not change, but you will lose fat centimeters.
6. Endurance: Recent research has shown that creatine may be beneficial for endurance because it helps prevent the build up of Lactic acid. When lactic acid builds up inside the muscle, the muscles can no longer perform at 100%. Creatine also spares the muscles' glycogen levels for longer. Glycogen is one of the muscles' main energy reserves. Creatine will be particularly helpful for those parts of an endurance event that require short bursts of power, e.g. running/cycling up hills.
   

Dosage:

First 5-7 days (loading dose): 2 scoops (6g) twice daily for 1 week.
Thereafter (maintenance dose): 1 scoop (3g) twice daily.

For bodybuilders: People, who are particularly interested in gaining lean muscle mass, may gain added benefit by using creatine for 7 weeks then stopping creatine for 1 week, before resuming another 7-week course i.e. 7 weeks on, 1 week off, 7 weeks on 1 week off etc. Every time you start creatine again after the 1 weak break, remember to take a loading dose for 5-7 days.

For endurance, aerobic, definition & performance athletes: Continue with the maintenance dose indefinitely.

Recommendations:

Take your first dose immediately upon waking up in the morning. Take your second dose about 10 minutes after your workout / exercise. On non-exercise days, take your second dose in the late afternoon.

Diabetic & pregnant persons should use creatine only after having consulted their pharmacist or physician.

Drinks at least 8 glasses of water daily.

Caffeine, Citrus fruit juices & heat may reduce the effects of creatine. Thus don't take creatine with a hot or caffeine containing beverage, or with orange juice.

Side effects:

Short term side effects: are rare and mild. You may experience diarrhoea for the first week. This is due to the high concentration of creatine (a protein) in your stomach. Muscle cramps may occur if you become dehydrated or over exert yourself. Drink lots of water, and build up your exercise routine slowly. If muscle cramps do persist, supplement with a good antioxidant/multivitamin like Twenty Four 12® once daily.

Long-term side effects: There are no known long-term side effects. As with all products it is important to adhere to the dose, because any unused creatine is excreted by the kidneys. The effect on the kidneys of overdoses of creatine is unknown. Kidney side effects are unlikely to occur with long-term creatine use, if recommended doses are used & adequate water consumed (8 full glasses daily).

Benefits of Pure FP Creatine: