Creatine, a popular supplement used by active sports players to quickly and efficiently build up their body's muscle mass to sustain longer energy bursts, has been in the center of controversy ever since its release to the general public as an energy enhancement. Creatine found in the amino acids glycine, arginine, and methionine is produced in the kidneys, pancreas, and liver from these amino acids. The majority of creatine is stored in the muscles, and in the muscles, creatine is converted to phosphocreatine, a necessity for ATP production.
             Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), states that while taking creatine as a supplement can increase muscle creatine by 20 to 30%, helping to increase the amount of energy produced, it has only been shown to be efficient in short periods of intense activity. MDW has concluded from their research that creatine only improves athletic anaerobic performance such as weightlifting and sprinting, it has shown to not improve endurance athletics. MDW agrees that while creatine does show to add weight to those who use it, the gained weight thus far has not been shown to be increased muscle mass. MDW asserts there is no evidence that creatine can increase fat metabolism, nor has it shown to improve muscle strength to those suffering from neuromuscular disease.
             Oddly enough many of the online stores selling creatine opted to give a detailed description of how creatine can increase muscle mass. I find this ironic considering out of all the research sites I viewed only a few gave the scientific explanation. The promotional sites no doubtingly agree with the research sites on how creatine is turned into energy in the body. Their explanation of this process, however, is a bit more scientific: "Creatine (scientifically known as Creatine Monohydrate) is a naturally occurring substance that exists in every muscle of your body. Whenever you use your muscles, a chemical (adenosine triphosphate – ATP) i...