only small quantities of meat exhibits a significantly lower level of muscular creatine stores. From a performance and health standpoint, staying on creatine year-round is not recommended. Creatine should be cycled to coincide with intense training periods ("Creatine", 1999).
             Creatine is said to increase bioavailability of phosphocreatine. This, along with regulating muscle pH from becoming too acidic and sparing the use of glycogen for immediate energy demands, is what researchers feel creates creatine's fatigue-delaying properties, thus providing an indirect anabolic effect. Some also speculate that creatine may act as a signal along with heavy weight training to increase protein synthesis, and that the increase in intracellular water signals muscles to grow bigger by telling them to make more protein ("Creatine", 1999).
             It is the effectiveness and safety factors surrounding the use of creatine supplementation that causes concern in every direction. Scientists, health experts, pharmacists, coaches, trainers, doctors, athletes, body builders, and the average consumer have their concerns about this new trend in dietary supplements. One major problem is that one can only speculate as to whether or not creatine benefits the body. There have not been enough studies to determine whether or not creatine has any long-term effects, but current short-term success rates are high. It is the uncertainty that is the dividing line and asks the question, "Is creatine safe to use?".
             There have been many recent studies on the effects of creatine supplementation use. Some show positive effects, others show mixed results, and others are just inconclusive altogether. The debate as to its benefits continues.
             Cases where false allegations and misconceptions are presented to the public about creatine lead to more harm than good overa
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