When to Take Creatine for Muscle Growth & Performance

High Intensity Health with Mike Mutzel, MS

We dive into the latest research on creatine, covering loading phases, optimal timing, individualized dosing, benefits beyond muscle health—including cognitive performance for kids—and special considerations for various diets like vegan and carnivore.

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Link to Video and Study: https://bit.ly/3UOb8lY

Time Stamps:

0:00 Introduction to Creatine and Recent Paper Review - Discussion on creatine's popularity and personal experience with it since 2000. Introduction to a recent paper titled "Does One Dose of Creatine Supplement Fit All," covering topics like loading phases, benefits, and optimal timing.

0:55 Loading Phase and Early Practices - Problems with early creatine loading practices that involved high sugar content, causing issues like pre-diabetes. The discussion on whether a loading phase is necessary and who might benefit from it.

1:46 Who Might Need a Creatine Load Phase - Explanation of who might benefit from a creatine load phase, such as young athletes, football players, or those with low red meat intake. Overview of the benefits of creatine on exercise performance.

2:58 Creatine Uptake and Transport Proteins - Discussion on creatine uptake, the role of transport proteins, and the benefits of pairing creatine with electrolytes. Introduction of Myo Science's creatine product paired with electrolytes.

3:53 Best Timing for Taking Creatine - Importance of taking creatine around exercise sessions to enhance muscle uptake. Suggestions on timing, with emphasis on taking creatine before or during workouts rather than with coffee in the morning.

4:36 Creatine Benefits for Kids and Cognitive Performance - Creatine's benefits for athletic children in high-demand sports and cognitive tasks, including its impact on brain energy during intensive activities like learning or giving presentations.

5:56 Individualized Dosing Based on Body Weight - The need to tailor creatine doses based on body weight and muscle mass. Heavier, more muscular individuals may require higher doses compared to lighter individuals.

6:41 Special Considerations for Vegans, Vegetarians, and Carnivores - The impact of diet on creatine needs. Vegans and vegetarians might see greater benefits from supplementation, while carnivores may already get sufficient creatine from red meat.

7:38 Non-Muscular Benefits of Creatine - Potential non-muscular benefits of creatine, such as improvements in verbal acuity, cognitive performance, mood changes, and post-concussive recovery.

8:30 Conclusion and Recommendations - Summary of key points: no need for dextrose to enhance creatine absorption, tailored dosing based on diet and body weight, and the importance of taking creatine with electrolytes around exercise.