Creatine to prevent muscle breakdown?
Extreme overtraining in bodybuilding and physical decline that occurs in diseases such as cancer, AIDS, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hydropic cardiac decompensation are typically accompanied by tissue and muscle breakdown, fatigue, weakness and reduced quality of life. Physical deterioration occurs even if the affected person is not actively trying to lose weight. Exercise is often not a suitable option for preventing such deterioration, as people lack the energy and motivation for physical activity. Dietary strategies can be effective to some extent in preventing physical decline, maintaining body weight and improving quality of life.
A literature review conducted by Greek scientists suggests that supplementation with creatine monohydrate may be helpful for physical decline. Creatine increases the levels of high-energy chemicals such as creatine phosphate (CP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in cells during exercise. Creatine supplements also reduce inflammation, stimulate the formation of satellite cells (important for muscle growth) and increase gene activity that stimulates protein synthesis and cell repair. In the short term, its creatine supplementation appears to be safe and may prevent physical decline.
(Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 12: 623-627, 2009)
Extreme overtraining in bodybuilding and physical decline that occurs in diseases such as cancer, AIDS, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hydropic cardiac decompensation are typically accompanied by tissue and muscle breakdown, fatigue, weakness and reduced quality of life. Physical deterioration occurs even if the affected person is not actively trying to lose weight. Exercise is often not a suitable option for preventing such deterioration, as people lack the energy and motivation for physical activity. Dietary strategies can be effective to some extent in preventing physical decline, maintaining body weight and improving quality of life.
A literature review conducted by Greek scientists suggests that supplementation with creatine monohydrate may be helpful for physical decline. Creatine increases the levels of high-energy chemicals such as creatine phosphate (CP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in cells during exercise. Creatine supplements also reduce inflammation, stimulate the formation of satellite cells (important for muscle growth) and increase gene activity that stimulates protein synthesis and cell repair. In the short term, its creatine supplementation appears to be safe and may prevent physical decline.
(Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 12: 623-627, 2009)
