Harnessing the Power of Creatine for Youthful Skin, Cognitive Power and Vitality
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Introduction
Creatine is well known for its effectiveness in enhancing athletic performance and muscle building but recent scientific research has shed light on additional benefits of creatine, beyond the realm of sports and fitness.
This article was inspired by a recent video by Dr Westin Childs (which we show down below in this article), where he suggests that creatine supplementation could potentially benefit everyone. In this article, we will explore the benefits of creatine outlined by Childs, which include helping our health, improving cognitive performance, supporting our anti-aging strategy and even possibly rejuvenating our skin!
The 100% micronised creatine monohydrate formulation ensures optimal absorption and utilisation by the body. The fine powder dissolves easily, making it convenient to incorporate into daily routines.
Produced by Olimp Laboratories, a distinguished Polish pharmaceutical company established in 1990, this product exemplifies their commitment to research and development in the field of dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals. Each box contains 250 grams of the product, providing an ample supply for regular usage.
The company emphasises the importance of maintaining a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle alongside the use of this supplement.
What are the scientific facts about creatine?
Over the years, over 1,000 studies have examined the effects of creatine supplementation and, while these have mainly focused on muscle strength and athletic performance, new research is beginning to show that creatine has many more benefits than we thought.
The 2021 systemic review “Creatine in Health and Disease”, assessed the peer-reviewed evidence on creatine’s ability to promote health as we age and how creatine supplementation could help with injury recovery or chronic disease. Here are some of what they state in the conclusion:
- Creatine supplementation, particularly with resistance training, can promote gains in strength and help maintain or increase muscle mass.
- Creatine supplementation may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects.
- Creatine is an important energy source for immune cells, can help support a healthy immune system, and may have some anti-cancer properties.
- Creatine supplementation may support cognitive function, mental health, reproductive health, skin health, healthy glucose management, heart metabolism and health, and general health, fitness and wellbeing by increasing cellular energy availability.
Top 6 benefits of creatine supplementation
#1 Benefits of creatine - increased muscle mass
Creatine supplementation has been shown to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, promoting the growth of lean muscle mass, which can be especially beneficial for individuals engaged in resistance training, as creatine supports the process of muscle repair and recovery.
As we get older, we naturally lose muscle mass and creatine supplementation can help prevent this. The key message is that creatine use combined with resistance training helps all age groups increase their muscle mass. See our article Strong Bones, Stronger You: The Incredible Link Between Resistance Training and Bone Density
A higher percentage of muscle mass in our bodies speeds up our metabolism and makes it easier for us to lose weight.
# 2 Benefits of creatine - makes your bones stronger
As oestrogen levels decline in perimenopause and menopause, women who do not take hormone replacement therapy experience a significant loss in bone density. See our article Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) – impact on your skin, hair and energy levels
A study showed that resistance training plus creatine supplementation increased the done density of post-menopausal women – so this is good news for this large cohort of women!
#3 Benefits of creatine - potential antidepressant effects
Recent research suggests that creatine may have antidepressant properties, and studies have shown that creatine supplementation can improve symptoms of depression, particularly in individuals who do not respond well to traditional antidepressant medications. It is thought that creatine’s ability to enhance energy production in the brain is the mechanism by which it has a positive impact on mood.
Research has also shown that it has the potential to help other brain related conditions such as ALS and Huntingtons.
#4 Benefits of creatine - anti-inflammatory properties
Creatine has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and some studies have shown that it has similar effects to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen. Creatine has been shown to be safe, while the effect of long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to side effects.
Dr Westin talks about how he has used creatine to help with his own back pain.
#5 Benefits of creatine - immune system
Creatine has been shown to strengthen the immune system and to potentially help with autoimmune diseases.
Carry your drinks around and mix your creatine & protein shakes in this 100% leak-proof container with extra storage.
The extra storage includes a 150ml cup with removable pill organiser and 200ml cup which can carry your powder, pills or food.
Get a lump free shake every time with the plastic mesh that fixes to the inside of the lid and gives you a discrete shaking experience unlike wire ball shakers.
Also unlike other shakers our cap completely removes from the lid eliminating any splash or flick back from the cap itself or annoying facial contact.
Another trait of most shakers on the market is their tall, thin design that restrict access when hand washing. With the Musclelinx shaker you don't have this; this shaker was specifically designed for practical use and therefore gives you the extra width you need to reach to the bottom of the cup and clean with no restriction.
#6 Benefits of creatine - skin health and anti-aging properties
Creatine has antioxidant properties and can increase energy production in our cells, which means it could be an effective anti-wrinkle intervention. Researchers have also looked at putting creatine on the skin, topical application, and this has been shown to increase collagen production. A 2011 study, Dermal penetration of creatine, concluded that “creatine represents a beneficial active ingredient for topical use in the prevention and treatment of human skin aging”.
How does creatine work as nootropic?
Creatine has also gained recognition as a potential nootropic. Nootropics, often referred to as “smart drugs” or “cognitive enhancers,” are substances that enhance cognitive function, including memory, focus, and mental clarity.
Creatine acts as a nootropic by supporting brain energy metabolism. It increases the availability of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of cells, in the brain. By providing a readily available energy source, creatine can enhance brain performance, promote mental stamina, and potentially improve cognitive processes such as learning and memory.
Anybody wanting to maximise their mental powers, including students seeking improved academic performance or professionals aiming for heightened productivity, may consider using creatine as a nootropics.
Westin Childs on
the 6 proven benefits of creatine – depression, autoimmune disease, weight loss & more
What is the best daily dosage of creatine?
Creatine is commonly available as a powder and can be easily incorporated into your daily routine. Some users start with a loading phase of 20 grams per day for 5-7 days, divided into four or five equal doses but Dr Westin doesn’t think this “loading phase” is necessary if you plan to take creatine for a long period of time. He recommends 5 grams per day, taken with water and says that the creatine builds up slowly in your system and you begin to see benefits after a few weeks.
It’s important to note that consulting with a healthcare professional or nutritionist is advisable before starting any new supplement regimen.
Ultiscoop is the ideal measuring scoop for fitness fanatics living life on the go.
The scoop has a 30g side at one end and 5g at the other, making it ideal for creatine and protein powder.
Made of stainless steel so will not break like plastic scoops.
Conclusion
As we said above, Childs is suggesting that anyone could benefit from creatine supplementation so given that creatine is easy to get, inexpensive and doesn’t taste bad, we think why not throw 5 grams into your daily smoothie!
The Seeoran team loves anything that can address the issues that women face as we get older and some of these issues include weight gain, aging skin and loss of bone density. If creatine has the power to help with these, and the evidence seems to suggest that it does, we think it is pretty exciting and we are certainly open to trying it.
What do you think about Creatine? Would you use it for reasons other than gaining muscle mass? Do you think it is safe to take a supplement every day?