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Creatine monohydrate

Creatine, or N-(aminoiminomethyl)-N-methylglycine, is a sarcosine derivative present in the muscle tissue of many vertebrates. Creatine is an organic, nitrogen compound present in considerable amounts in the skeletal muscle tissue of vertebrates wherein about 2/3 thereof occurs as creatine phosphate. Creatine is biosynthesized mainly in the liver and kidneys from three amino acids: glycine which provides the carbon skeleton, arginine which releases the amidino group and methionine which releases the methyl group. Creatine is excreted with urine as creatinine. Its phosphorylated form, creatine phosphate, also is found in the same organs and is the product of the creatine kinase reaction utilizing creatine as a substrate. Creatine phosphate is one of the highest energy generating compounds in the cell and creatine is an excellent stimulant of oxidative phosphorylation and high energy production. Creatine has been extensively used by body builders as a means of stimulating energy production in the skeletal muscle. Creatine phosphate helps provide adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during short bursts of high intensity exercise, and it has been found that the depletion of phosphocreatine has been associated with the onset of fatigue. ATP provides the energy to contract a person's muscles by releasing one of its phosphate molecules. The ATP then converts to another chemical compound, adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Creatine has been used for some time in ingestible nutritional supplements to enhance cellular creatine levels. Supplements containing creatine are commonly recommended in order to enhance muscle size, strength and even cell volume. Creatine supplementation has been used to increase creatine and creatine phosphate stores, which are needed for high energy phosphorus metabolism. Recovery after high intensity exercise involves a resynthesis of phosphocreatine, which occurs via an oxygen-dependent process with half-life of about 30 seconds. During short-term high intensity intermittent exercise, the active muscles rely heavily on phosphocreatine for production of ATP. It is creatine phosphate whose content in tissues is five times as much that of ATP, which provides for phosphate groups supply. Following a moderately wearying physical exertion, the creatine phosphate present in the skeletal muscle decreases in a far relevant amount than ATP does, thus showing that creatine phosphate rephosphorilates ADP as ATP becomes dephospharilated. Food supplements containing creatine, typically creatine monohydrate, are commonly used by athletes to allow them to train harder and enhance muscle size and strength. Various commercial products containing creatine monohydrate are available. Humans receive most of the creatine they need from food or dietary supplements. When a person does not consume enough creatine to meet the body's requirements, creatine production occurs in the liver, pancreas and kidneys. Creatine provides the source for replacing the missing phosphate molecules for ADP to convert to ATP, thereby providing the energy source necessary for continued muscular activity. Once the creatine provides the phosphate molecule to the ADP compound forming ATP, the newly reformed ATP may be re-used again. The most commonly used creatine supplement for oral consumption, is creatine monohydrate. Creatine monohydrate is most commonly sold as a nutritional supplement in powder form. The powder may be blended with juices or other fluids, and then ingested.

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