Creatine

=__Creatine__ =

by Ben McKendry
D1P4

Name & Structure
IUPAC name: **2-(carbaminidoyl-methyl-amino) acetic acid**

Structure:

Quick History
In 1835, creatine was first discovered by a French scientist and philosopher by the name of Michel-Eugene Chevreul who isolated the nitrogenous organic acid from skeletal muscle; which is found in animals and humans. Creatine is 95% contained in skeletal muscle while the rest is spread out throughout the heart, brain and testes. A couple years later, the German scientist Justus von Liebig observed the wild foxes had more intramuscular creatine than foxes held in captivity. With this he concluded that creatine is very helpful when supporting muscular activity. Mr. Liebig created the first creatine suppliment- "Fleisch Extrakt".



The creatine supliments (such as the one to the right) that humans ingest are synthetically produced by the manufacturing of two chemicals; sarcosine which is a sodium salt that derives from acetic acid and cyanamide, an organic amide. When these two products react that are suitable for human consumption and produce creatine. As of today, there is only one way to make synthetic creatine; reacting these two chemicals in a reactor (glass lined vessel) with a certain amount of water.

There are three very commonly types of creatine that are produced. The first is Micronized Creatine which is a slightly more pure and fine version of the Creatine Monohydrate (seen in the above) and have particles that are roughly 20 times smaller. Since Micronized Creatine contains smaller, more pure particles, it is easier for the body to absorb and therefore costs slightly more in the market. The second is Creatine Ethly Ester (CEE) which is a newer, better version of Creatine Monohydrate that is said to have better absorption rates in the body and have faster results. However, some studies have suggested the opposite and found that CEE is less stable than regular creatine. Lastly is Kre Alkalyn Creatine, this creatine suppliment has been favored by the consumer market significantly. This is a result of its high pH level which is above 12. The Kre Alkalyn creatine is said to reach the muscle cells at full strength and have stronger, faster results.

Four Phases of Making Creatine:

 * 1) Reaction
 * 2) Cleaning
 * 3) Drying
 * 4) Milling

How It Affects Us
Creatine is a commonly taken supplement for those wishing to build some muscle mass. No they are not steroids, but can have similar affects! There are many different forms and methods of taking creatine. Some people prefer to ingest it as a capsule, while others have creatine powder which they mix into a milk shake. Creatine is sold for about $ 0.17 per serving (or around $ 32 per kilogram). The most common form of creatine sold is creatine monohydrate, which is basically the same as creatine but with a water molecule and Creatine ethly ester added. Creatine has been studied to have a 20% increase in phosphocreatine in the muscle, however shows no alteration of aerobic endurance ability, only raising the power of the exercise.



//__Ben's Creatine Fun Facts of the Day:__//

 * Creatine is named after the Greek word flesh, or Kreas
 * Creatine helps shorten recovery time between workouts
 * decreases lactic-acid build up

www.creatinemonohydrate.net/creatine_products.html http://www.fusionnutritioninc.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-creatine-is-made.html www.bodybuildingforyou.com/creatine/guid-to-creatine-suppliments-efffects-use-3.html upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Creatine_neutral.png www.best-creatine.net/creatine www.nucare.com/evyouwantokn.html www.makemovies.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum_images/rollers/weightlift.jif www.popeyescanada.com/art_creatine.php www.bodybuildingforyou.com/creatine/creatine-faq.htm