Creatine Supplement Essay

As far as an athletes perspective on supplementation it seems like a fast and efficient way to get bigger, stronger, and faster effectively. These supplements vary from simple over the counter products such as protein, amino acids, creatine, and even advanced supplements such as anabolic steroids. Some of these are incredible safe and effective while others may do more harm than good. I will be exploring the positive and negative benefits of creatine when taken as a supplement for an athlete (a baseball pitcher) whose desire is to become bigger and stronger at the collegiate level. Creatine was first introduced by a company to the U.S. in 1993 by a supplement company called “experimental and Applied Sciences”. Since its introduction is has become one of the most demanded products on the market. The creatine monohydrate mimics the natural creatine produced in the kidney, liver, and pancreas. Studies have proven that this supplement directly relates to increased power, strength, and muscle …show more content…
Nardone. He had 12 men participate with the intake of creatine monohydrate. The main objective of this experiment was “To determine whether creatine supplementation would diminish the severity of statin-induced myalgia, weakness, and cramping.” (Shewmon, 4) This experiment was over a 6 week period and the doctor along with his staff monitored the patients’ soreness. The subjects of this test were given 5g of creatine a day, twice a day, for the first week. He called this “creatine loading”. “The patients were then limited to 3-5g of creatine once a day for the last 5 weeks.” (Shewmon, 2) The results from this experiment were very minimal as far as limiting muscle weakness and cramping, but it was an improvement. The symptoms addressed in this study are typical to the movements that a starting pitcher may face when he pitches due to the explosive movements that are required to perform the task of throwing a