Creatine supplements have been used by bodybuilders and strength trainers for decades. It is one of the most researched performance-boosting supplements available today. In fact, it has been proven to increase strength and power output by up to 15 percent. That’s why creatine supplements are so popular among athletes and gym-goers. Athletes who take a regular dose of creatine experience an increase in their muscle stores of phosphocreatine (PCR), which aids in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) — the primary source of energy for short, explosive bursts of exercise such as weight lifting or sprinting. Thus, many users think that taking a creatine supplement can help them reduce fat more quickly by increasing the intensity of their workouts and burning fat more quickly during exercise. Let’s find out if this is true or not!
Does Creatine Supplements Burn Belly Fat?
There is no evidence that creatine supplements burn belly fat. In fact, there is no evidence that creatine supplements have any effect on weight loss or body composition. Some people mistakenly believe that taking creatine will help them lose weight because the increased muscle mass associated with taking creatine can lead to a slight increase in metabolic rate. However, the increased metabolic rate seen with creatine supplementation is very small and does not result in significant weight loss.
How Does Creatine Supplement Work?
- Creatine is a molecule found naturally in the body. It is an essential nutrient for energy production by the muscle cells.
- Creatine supplements contain creatine monohydrate, which is one of the most researched forms of creatine. This form of creatine is synthesized in the body from three amino acids: arginine, glycine, and methionine (the same amino acids that are used to make proteins).
- The body produces less than 2 grams of creatine per day from these three amino acids, but this amount can be increased by taking a supplement containing creatine monohydrate.
- Creatine supplementation has been shown to increase muscle stores of phosphocreatine (PCr) — a crucial compound that supplies energy to the muscles during short-term intense exercise such as weight lifting or sprinting — by approximately 15 percent after 8 weeks of supplementation.[1] This increase in muscle PCr stores results in an increase in ATP levels and results in greater muscle strength and power output.
- Creatine supplementation is a safe, effective, and inexpensive way to increase muscle strength and power output and reduce fat more quickly.
Can Creatine Supplements Cause Weight Gain?
- Creatine is a naturally occurring substance in the body.
- Creatine is produced in the liver and kidneys and stored in the muscles, brain, and liver.
- Creatine is stored in the muscles as creatine phosphate (CRP). When you take creatine supplements, this phosphate is broken down into creatinine (a waste product) and transported to the liver where it can be excreted as urine or converted back into phosphocreatine (PCR), which can be reused for energy during exercise.
- If you consume too much creatine, your body will convert some of it to creatinine, which is then stored in your muscles as waste products that can cause water retention and bloating when you exercise. The problem with this is that excess water can lead to higher levels of blood pressure — which increases your risk for heart disease — and even kidney damage if your kidneys are not able to filter out all the excess waste products in your bloodstream.
Here Are Some Of The Most Important Points You Need To Know About Creatine Supplements
- Creatine is not anabolic, so it won’t help build muscle (that’s why it’s not used by bodybuilders). It also won’t give you any extra energy for working out; you will still have to eat a lot of food to get that from your diet. This means that creatine won’t help you burn fat, but it will help build muscle mass and strength, which is what we need for burning fat (in addition to the other factors mentioned above).
- Some people think they can use creatine supplements while they are on a low-calorie diet or while they are trying to lose weight, but this is not true at all. There are many studies showing that taking creatine during caloric restriction will not help you lose weight. In fact, taking creatine while dieting may even make it harder for you to lose weight.
- Creatine is a cheap and effective performance-boosting supplement, but it will not help you lose belly fat without other things. If you want to use creatine to burn belly fat, then you should combine it with strength training exercises, moderate cardio exercise, and a good diet full of healthy foods.
- Creatine can cause muscle cramps in people who aren’t used to taking supplements containing this ingredient — so don’t take creatine if you are sensitive to the effects of supplements containing creatine monohydrate (that’s what most good quality creatine supplements contain). Make sure that the creatine supplement you buy doesn’t have any filler ingredients (like sugars or artificial sweeteners) that could upset your stomach and make your cramps worse!
What Do You Think Is The Best Way To Lose Belly Fat?
- Eat smaller portions of healthy food and drink more water.
- Exercise regularly and do not skip any workouts.
- Take a good multivitamin supplement daily and eat protein foods such as lean meat, seafood, eggs, beans, nuts, and seeds daily.
- Eat higher quality food that contains more fiber (vegetables and fruits).
- Avoid junk food foods that are high in saturated fats, sugar, and salt (cookies, cakes, chips, etc.).
Bottom Line
Creatine supplements are primarily intended for people who engage in high-intensity sports or weightlifting and other similar activities that require strength and power. Creatine is naturally synthesized in the body in the liver from amino acids, primarily glycine, arginine, and methionine, and transported to the muscle cells for storage. Supplementing with creatine can help increase the levels of creatine in the muscles, allowing them to work more efficiently, meaning that more work can be done with less energy. There are a variety of different ways that creatine can be taken, including in powder form and mixed into water, a shake, or even a smoothie. It is important to know the benefits and drawbacks of each method, as well as what the best dosage is for you when taking creatine before you make your decision.