What is the Best Time to Take Creatine Powder?

Benefits of Creatine Powder

To understand creatine’s benefits, we first have to take a brief (and simplified) look at our energy systems.

Each day, your body produces countless adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules. These are the energy currency of life, and each cell in your body needs these to function. Walking down the street, brushing your teeth, and even thinking are all energy-demanding tasks that require ATP. (3)

As you start to exercise, your body’s demands for ATP skyrocket. One way to reach exhaustion would be to use up your ATP reserves and continue to break down ATP molecules quicker than your body can regenerate them. At that point, your muscle fibers simply don’t have the energy they need to keep contracting.

Creatine comes into the picture because it improves ATP production rates. Most of the creatine we take gets stored as phosphocreatine. We primarily store it in our muscles, but we also have small amounts in organs like the kidneys, liver, and brain. And there are varying types of creatine, so understanding the differences will improve your overall understanding.

Increasing ATP Production

Your body uses ATP molecules by breaking them down into ADP, which releases energy. Then, thanks to complicated processes, your body converts ADP back to ATP for use. 

Creatine accelerates this process by donating its phosphate group. As a result, you can do a bit more work, reach exhaustion more slowly, and make better progress in the long run.

So all of this adds up to increased production in the gym, which creates better results. So whether you’re trying to add mass, get cut, improve cardio, or some other fitness goal, you’ll have more energy toward that aim.

And you can also purchase creatine in two main forms: pills and powder. Both offer distinct advantages, and if you’re taking creatine on a regular basis it’s good to know the difference between creatine pills vs powder.

Who Should Take Creatine Powder

Creatine is for everyone. With research dating as far back as the early 1970s, creatine has proven itself again and again. More importantly, creatine is safe even for long-term supplementation, regardless of age or gender.

The only people who should avoid creatine are those with kidney issues. In any case, it’s always best to consult with your doctor, share your goals, and ask for their opinion. But if you’re looking to optimize your performance and gym progress, creatine is the simplest and most affordable supplement you should consider. (4)

Click here to learn more about the best creatine powder to boost your muscle and strength, and also knowing the differences of creatine vs protein powder.