TikTok Trend Alert: How Creatine Can Improve Your Workout

If one of your goals this year is to hit the gym, you may recently have gone down a rabbit hole of information on how to make the most of your sweat sessions.

It can be overwhelming to read about what fitness tracker to use, what kind of protein shakes to drink and if you need to take any kind of supplements to enhance your workout performance.

One of those supplements, creatine, has become a social media sensation even though it’s been around for ages and has been commonly used by athletes and bodybuilders for years.

It’s been hyped on TikTok and other social media platforms because of claims that it can help you build muscle and give you that extra burst of energy to run a few more miles or do a couple more reps. Sounds great, right?

But is this all true?

Registered dietitian Kate Patton, RD, LD, breaks down how creatine works, if it’s safe to use and how to use it.

What is creatine?

“Creatine is a molecule that’s made from amino acids,” explains Patton. “Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.”

So, what’s creatine for?

Creatine is used as energy for muscle contractions throughout your body. It aids your body in making more adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, a molecule that gives you energy and can help your exercise performance.

“Our body makes only so much ATP. And when we exercise, we tend to run out,” explains Patton. “If you have creatine stored in your system, it helps delay your body from losing ATP, which means you can work out for a longer period of time.”

Naturally produced in your liver and kidneys, about 95% of creatine is then stored in your skeletal muscles for use during physical activity and is known as phosphocreatine. A small amount of creatine is also found in your brain and heart.

Your body makes about 1 to 2 grams of creatine a day. And that typically comes from animal protein, so those who follow a traditional omnivorous diet should get enough creatine from their diet.

Foods that contain creatine include:

• Fish/seafood.
• Red meat.
• Milk.
• Chicken.

“If you want to get another one to 2 grams of creatine from your diet, you have to eat a lot of protein,” notes Patton. “So, that’s why people take the supplemental form of creatine.”

Is creatine bad for you?

Creatine is one of the most researched supplements. And while it’s safe for most of us to take, Patton says adding the supplement to your routine makes the most sense for those who consistently do high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or have a strength-based workout routine (like someone training for a weightlifting competition).

“Also, people who don’t get enough animal protein from their diets, like vegetarians, can benefit from taking creatine,” she adds.

So, if you randomly hit the gym during the week, while safe, creatine might not be something you need to take.

“I would only use it if you’re truly trying to get some type of athletic performance benefits,” Patton continues. “Other than that, your average diet is going to provide enough if you eat animal protein in your diet.”

Creatine benefits

What does creatine do? The benefits of creatine include:

• Improves fitness performance. Creatine expands your workout capacity by keeping your muscles fueled with energy. Research backs this up, meaning you can push yourself during a workout, whether that means you can sprint a little faster or lift a few extra sets.
• Increases muscle mass and strength. When you engage in physical activity, your muscle fibers break down. Research shows that creatine aids in repairing those strained muscle fibers, which leads to stronger muscles over time.
• Speeds up muscle recovery. As you’re taking creatine before your workout, it not only helps with muscle repair (see above), but it can also reduce the risk of injuries. Research shows that you may experience less cramping and tightness in your muscles.

Creatine side effects

If used correctly, you shouldn’t experience any side effects of creatine. But Patton warns of a trend called “creatine loading,” where you take a higher dose for a week to “load” the muscle followed by a maintenance dose. Research shows this method isn’t necessary.

“Creatine loading can cause side effects like diarrhea, nausea and cramping,” she says.

You may also experience some weight gain with a creatine supplement.

“But it’s usually no more than two pounds, and that’s due to water retention in your muscles.”

Also, if you have chronic kidney disease or other kidney-related conditions, you should skip the supplement.

“Kidneys are responsible for filtering out the byproducts of protein breakdown, which includes creatine and nitrogen,” says Patton.

How much should you take?

You may be wondering, How much creatine should I take? Patton says the recommended amount of creatine is 3 to 5 grams per day.

And it’s also key that you focus on when to take creatine. It works best if you take any creatine supplements before you work out. You want to have creatine stored in your body so it can be used to help fuel your physical activity.

“Creatine isn’t something you need to take 365 days a year,” says Patton. “You can take it just when you’re in those high-intensity training periods.”

So, how should you consume a creatine supplement? Available online or in some stores, creatine supplements tend to come in a powdered form, which you can mix into your water or drink of choice.

Remember that supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So, Patton recommends doing your homework and talking to a healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

“Look for a product that is tested by a third party,” advises Patton. “Look at the ingredients and make sure they don’t contain any banned substances.”

Products that have third-party testing from organizations like NSF International and Informed Choice typically have a stamp of certification on the label.

Overall, there’s plenty of research to support how creatine can improve your workout performance. So, should you add it to your routine?

“Using creatine makes the most sense for people who are truly training for a high-intensity sport or competition or want to gain lean muscle mass,” Patton reiterates. “So, for just your average person who might be a weekend warrior, then no. You can typically achieve your fitness goals from being active and eating a well-balanced diet.”