{"id":1531,"date":"2020-05-05T10:59:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T16:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog-new.buckedup.com\/?p=1531"},"modified":"2023-10-24T14:39:24","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T20:39:24","slug":"creatine-one-supplement-to-rule-them-all-strength-size-and-smarts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/05\/creatine-one-supplement-to-rule-them-all-strength-size-and-smarts\/","title":{"rendered":"Creatine: One Supplement To Rule Them All (Strength, Size, and Smarts)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"6 Point Creatine: Master (Supplement) Of The Universe\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/q6oZR8nWw78?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is not going to be another article about how creatine is the best supplement for fitness, although, it wouldn\u2019t be a stretch for me to make that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2048496\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">claim<\/a>. My focus is on the quickly developing studies that suggest creatine might be the closest supplement to a &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1219289\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Limitless&#8221;<\/a> level nootropic we have available.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article is for those who seek answers for themselves and question everything. You don\u2019t just listen to the masses when they say a supplement works. You ask why it works, then test it out for yourself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I can\u2019t help you with the self-experimentation thing, that\u2019s kind of a solo gig. But I got your back on the knowledge front. By the time you finish reading, you\u2019ll understand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What creatine is, and its role in energy production<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How creatine can upgrade your gym game<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And a few less commonly known tricks, tips, and benefits (for example, how creatine is probably what Pinky and the Brain were missing when they were planning their world takeover).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-creatine-works\">How Creatine Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s get one thing straight. <strong>Creatine is not unhealthy (for most people). And it\u2019s absolutely not an anabolic steroid. It\u2019s an organic compound that can be found in red meat and fish. Oh. And our bodies make it all on their own. So, yeah&#8230;there\u2019s that.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Creatine facilitates recycling of adenosine triphosphate, the energy currency of the cell, primarily in muscle and brain tissue. That\u2019s all great bio-babble, but it\u2019s also kind of abstract. I might be a hipster, but even I never got into abstractionist art or concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Structurally, adenosine triphosphate consists of an organic compound (adenosine) and three phosphate molecules. Great, so what\u2019s a phosphate molecule? Phosphorus is an essential mineral primarily used for <strong>growth and repair of body cells and tissues. <\/strong>It\u2019s commonly found in the body as phosphate(s).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We store creatine in our muscles. A phosphate group can be attached to creatine, forming <em>phosphocreatine<\/em> &#8212; also stored in the muscles. Here\u2019s a step-by-step of how this plays out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blog-new.buckedup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/sprinter.startingpos-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1544\" style=\"width:517px;height:344px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Muscles in work use adenosine triphosphate (ATP)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This process includes removing a phosphate group from adenosine triphosphate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adenosine<em> triphosphate<\/em> becomes adenosine <em>diphosphate, <\/em>or ADP.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From an energy standpoint, ADP isn\u2019t all that useful. Phosphocreatine knows this, so it jumps in and swiftly donates its phosphate group &#8212; what an altruist.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ADP becomes ATP again, allowing for more work to be done.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s where the problem comes in. When we do high-intensity exercise, our muscles demand a massive amount of ATP, and they demand it rapidly. For comparison, the demand for ATP during workout sessions amps up 1,000 fold. If ATP isn\u2019t available, then what happens? The body can\u2019t sustain performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Creatine and Phosphocreatine are basically reserves. But, unlike the Federal Reserve, our bodies can\u2019t just print up more and more phosphates without any consequence &#8212; excluding abhorrent inflation, crippled economy, devastated currency system, and disappearing middle class, of course. I digress. We can only store so much in our muscles, and eventually those reserves will run out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Enter Creatine Supplementation. <\/strong>Adding supplemental creatine into the system is a way to deepen your reservoir and fill it with more energy producing awesomeness. All right. Cool. Now that we\u2019ve got that out of the way, we can get to what actually matters &#8212; the benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-creatine-s-sun-sign-the-benefits-you-know\">Creatine\u2019s Sun Sign: The Benefits You Know<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Creatine increases strength and power output during short-duration, high-intensity training exercise.*&nbsp; You know that. Everyone knows that. Literally hundreds of studies have come to that same conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maybe you aren\u2019t really aware of the common benefits, though. To my surprise, there are plenty of individuals in \u201cartistic\u201d communities that still think anyone who cares about physical performance is a mindless oaf. If you\u2019re barely breaking free of your pseudointellectual self (congrats), then I\u2019ll briefly catch you up to speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-diminishes-myostatin-activity\"><strong>Diminishes Myostatin Activity:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What the hell is myostatin? Another biological compound that plays a role in building muscle.&nbsp; And further proves my point that anyone who still believes calories (or even macronutrients) are the biggest factor in gaining lean muscle mass is living in the Dark Ages.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Myostatin is a protein found in mammals (humans included) that signals the body to tear down muscle mass. In other words, for all bodybuilding intents and purposes, Myostatin is the Evil Overlord. It\u2019s \u201cThe Man\u201d trying to keep you down. One of many Boss Battles in the (fitness) hero\u2019s journey toward gainz.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s where creatine comes into play. Scientists did their science thing and conducted an 8 week study on creatine\u2019s effect on Myostatin levels. What they found is that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20026378\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">creatine reduces myostatin levels<\/a>.*&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Basically, taking creatine is like going into a video game boss battle with a sword that adds a +12 to damage-over-time. In conjunction with strength training, you can chip away at Myostatin\u2019s HP (i.e. build more muscle).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-increases-strength-power-output-in-short-duration-exercises\"><strong>Increases Strength &amp; Power Output In Short Duration Exercises<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As far as anyone knows, Creatine is the most effective nutritional supplement currently available for improving anaerobic performance.* <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t believe me? Fine. Believe the numbers. Several hundred peer-reviewed research studies got my back. The vast majority of them reported a significant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2048496\/#B49\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">improvement in exercise capacity<\/a>. There were some that reported non-significant gains, but they were few and far between.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On average, the gains in performance ranged between 10 to 15% depending on the variable of interest for short-term supplementation.* Long-term supplementation studies suggest overall enhanced training, leading to around 15% greater gains in strength and <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.humankinetics.com\/view\/journals\/ijsnem\/16\/4\/article-p430.xml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">performance<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-muscle-hydration\"><strong>Muscle Hydration&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of the many things Creatine can do, increasing the water volume in the body is one of them.*&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is especially visible during the \u201cloading phase\u201d of creatine. There\u2019s a common misconception about Creatine\u2019s effect on weight. Some believe that they\u2019ve just gained ten pounds of mass. Others worry creatine has suddenly made them fat.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neither of these things are true. Mass doesn\u2019t happen in a week. If you look fat on creatine, news flash. You\u2019re probably just fat. Since creatine increases water volume, it can make you look a little softer &#8212; or feel bloated. But that will diminish once your body is accustomed to the improved hydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What are the benefits of extra water volume, though\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>All Da <a href=\"http:\/\/blog-new.buckedup.com\/bucked-up-supplements\/pump-ocalypse-the-pump-is-the-cure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pumps<\/a>: <\/strong>Grapes are plump, juicy deliciousness. Raisins are shriveled shells of their past selves &#8212; the ghosts of grapes. Raisins are created by <em>dehydrating<\/em> grapes. I trust you see where I\u2019m going with this.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/blog-new.buckedup.com\/fitness\/bodybuilding\/the-right-to-bear-pumped-arms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hydrated muscles<\/a> = grapes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dehydrated muscles = raisins aka grape ghosts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Increased Protein Synthesis: <\/strong>Creatine stimulates the rate of protein synthesis (but not protein degradation), which can result in improved <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2109188\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">muscle recovery<\/a>.* <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-stimulates-muscle-hypertrophy-growth\"><strong>Stimulates Muscle Hypertrophy (Growth)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s a variety of ways to stimulate hypertrophy, via training, diet, etc. Muscle hypertrophy is basically muscle growth. Several things go into the process and that\u2019s an article all on its own. Here\u2019s a little rapid-fire action of the processes Creatine positively impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Accelerates protein synthesis.*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Muscle Hydration*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Progressive Overload is one of the most tried-and-true methods for building muscle. Seeing as how creatine improves strength,* it kinda goes without saying that it also stimulates growth.*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improved <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/blog-new.buckedup.com\/supplements\/bucked-up-bcaas-muscle-growth\/\" target=\"_blank\">muscle recovery<\/a>*<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-creatine-s-moon-sign-the-benefits-of-creatine-you-don-t-know\">Creatine\u2019s Moon Sign: The Benefits of Creatine You Don\u2019t Know<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thanks to modern science, Creatine has earned itself a plaque in the hall of supplemental fame. Not just in physical fitness. In literally any endeavor for self-improvement. Name your goal, Creatine probably helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Daily stim-free energy?* Improved mitochondrial function?* Better brain function?* Immune health? Anti-inflammation?* Or maybe you just want more antioxidant properties in your life.* It seems crazy that one compound could achieve all this,* but what can we say. Not all compounds are created equal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s look a little deeper at each of these lesser known benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cognitive-function\"><strong>Cognitive Function<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019d like to take a moment to acknowledge all those who have called me a meathead for my devotion to defending supplements. Go ahead and continue claiming creatine is only for weightlifting, brainiacs. Meanwhile, those of us who know better will reap the benefits. You know, the important stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blog-new.buckedup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/genius.girl_.coollooking-brain-1024x619.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1547\" style=\"width:509px;height:307px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Producing more (arguably) high-quality content<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An ability to keep up brain function despite my failing adrenals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vanity validation. That pertains to focus, I swear (without validation, how can you do anything but wallow about self-perceived aesthetic inadequacy?)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how this works. The brain is one of the most metabolically active tissues in the body. As such, brainpower requires a staggering amount of energy production. Seriously, the thing never stops. Whether it\u2019s keeping you up at night so you can reflect on how you\u2019ll never be enough and likely end up alone, or helping you find the bottom of that Half-Baked ice cream you can\u2019t stop eating (because you\u2019re full-on baked) as Netflix asks if you\u2019re still watching. Ah, quarantine life. It also works to keep you on track with that novel you meant to finish last month&#8230;mostly. <strong>Except when creatine stores are low<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Which (finally) brings me to my next point. The suppositional benefits of creatine on the brain has to do with its ability to speed up ATP resynthesis. Seeing as how your brain requires so much energy, and how ATP is essentially the body\u2019s energy currency, it\u2019s no stretch to see how creatine can improve cognitive function.* Such benefits include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mental endurance<\/strong>:* Even normal brainy tasks cause an increase in ATP demand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep up with your workload<\/strong>:* when cognitive tasks\u2019 complexity goes up, that ATP demand goes up as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mental fatigue mitigation<\/strong>:* This demand also increases during times of stress like sleeplessness, and fatigue. So, creatine can help mitigate some of the damage your addiction to browsing IG for funny memes causes in your sleep patterns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-antioxidant-immune-function\"><strong>Antioxidant (Immune Function)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During metabolism, the cells produce free radicals, often called oxidants. While they help trigger muscle growth, excessive quantities break down cell membranes, destroy DNA, promote muscle soreness, and suppress the immune system. Basically, oxidative stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Creatine has been shown to increase antioxidant defenses.* As such, it can bolster the immune system.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Due to its antioxidant properties, it may also prove beneficial for anti-aging.* Time will tell (it typically does).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-depression\"><strong>Depression<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although more evidence is needed, some studies suggest that creatine can potentially alleviate symptoms of depression.* I\u2019m not referring to that situational depression you feel because of that time you hooked up with your best friend\u2019s ex behind their back. That\u2019s on you, move on. They were totally coming onto you and besides, they\u2019d been broken up for three weeks anyway.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I&#8217;m referring to clinical depression.* In other words, real depression. To fix your situational depression, maybe stop repressing your abandonment issues and own up already. This isn\u2019t about my personal life, though.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-new.buckedup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/BU-Email-Creatine-Header-1024x465.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2562\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study conducted in South Korea took 52 women with depression and added a 5-gram creatine supplement to their daily antidepressant. The fact that they were already taking antidepressants and were located in South Korea is how you know the study was legit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The women<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/22864465\"> experienced improvements<\/a> in their symptoms as early as 2 weeks, and the improvement continued up to weeks 4 and 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-rapid-fire-conjecture\"><strong>Rapid Fire Conjecture<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In case you aren\u2019t already totally stoked on creatine yet, then here are some other potential benefits. Although, if I\u2019m being realistic, if you aren\u2019t already rushing to grab some creatine, then probably nothing will get you stoked, and you might wanna consider rereading the above section about depression. Just saying.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>May improve glucose tolerance: In other words, help you trim down*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>May promote increased bone content and density:* believe it or not, bones are important. Especially for those focused on strength gain. Just because your muscles can move heavy weight doesn\u2019t necessarily mean your bones can handle the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/7747001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">strain<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>May accelerate recovery time after an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3407788\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">injury<\/a>.*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>May be useful for individuals with muscular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/187618\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dystrophy<\/a>.*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>May alleviate symptoms commonly found due to creatine deficiency.*<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-forms-of-creatine\">Forms of Creatine&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unless your physician says otherwise, or you already know that creatine isn\u2019t right for you due to a medical condition, then the question isn\u2019t if you <em>should <\/em>supplement with creatine. The question is: <strong>What form of creatine is best for me?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Creatine Monohydrate: <\/strong>The OG. Most studies performed have been conducted using Creatine Monohydrate. There\u2019s absolutely no doubt that it works (or at least very little, because I\u2019m most likely not a Sith and therefore try not to speak in absolutes). However, we as humans love trying to upgrade tried-and-true goodness to eventually tried-and-true great. Which is where the following forms of creatine come in.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creatine MagnaPower (Magnesium Creatine Chelate): <\/strong>This creatine is attained by binding creatine to magnesium. This form increases the body\u2019s ability to create ATP,* increases creatine absorption,* and creatine bioavailability.*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creatine AKG: <\/strong>creatine-AKG is creatine attached to an alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) molecule. The reason this is beneficial is because AKG is an intermediate in the Kreb\u2019s cycle, which means it can seamlessly enter muscle cells. Creatine AKG <strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>transports more creatine directly into muscle cells,* resulting in a higher muscular creatine concentration.*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creatine HCL: <\/strong>By adding a hydrochloride group, creatine\u2019s fluid solubility is increased. Research suggests that creatine HCL is absorbed by the intestines around 60% better than creatine monohydrate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creatine Pyruvate: <\/strong>Like its other monohydrate-upgraded counterparts, Creatine Pyruvate was designed to increase creatine bioavailability.* According to most, that design has worked out well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-point-creatine-the-king-amongst-kings\">6 Point Creatine: The King Amongst Kings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Personally, I\u2019m not about making decisions that could potentially short me a quarter inch on my arms, or worse, allow my productivity to decrease &#8212; since I weigh the value of my <em>self <\/em>on those two measurements. When it comes to creatine, I refuse to take my chances. There\u2019s enough uncertainty in the world, like if I\u2019ll ever be able to find toilet paper again or if I\u2019ll ever be allowed to hang out with my family all at the same time. Creatine should not be amongst those uncertainties.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good news: It doesn\u2019t have to be.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Packing 5.75g of raw power, 6 Point Creatine is specifically formulated to cover every base possible &#8212; which, as it turns out, is a lot of bases. 6 Point utilizes 6 different types of creatine, each with different benefits, and different rates of release. You know the types I mentioned? Yup, 6 Point is formulated with every one of them. Baller, right? Right.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">6 Point covers the spectrum from monohydrate for cellular volume to a buffered hydrochloride for sustained benefits and increased bioavailability.* Every ingredient has been methodically dosed to work synergistically for optimal results.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-take-and-stack-for-ultimate-gainz\">How To Take and Stack For Ultimate Gainz<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mix 6 Point Creatine into your favorite: beverage, pre-workout, intra-workout, or post-workout drink. Its flavorless and fillerless formula makes it ideal to mix into just about any drink. Due to its anabolic properties, it is recommended that 6 Point be taken and timed around your workouts. Be sure to stay hydrated while training, supplementing and living an active lifestyle.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As for stacking 6 Point Creatine for an accumulation of benefits unlike any other, I recommend putting together a little post-workout cocktail consisting of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/blog-new.buckedup.com\/das-labs\/zero-calorie-bulker\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ALL BULK NO BLOAT<\/a>: improved nutrient absorption,* mitochondrial function (adds another 5g of creatine monohydrate),* muscle recovery,* reduced chances of muscle waste,* hormone function.*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tk.buckedup.com\/J84C5\/26B6MK\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GLUTAMINE<\/a>: Muscle recovery,* muscle-sparing.*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And, of course, <a href=\"https:\/\/tk.buckedup.com\/J84C5\/26B6MK\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">6 Point Creatine<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, of course, shake yourself some <a href=\"https:\/\/tk.buckedup.com\/J84C5\/26B6MK\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BUCK FEED<\/a> for grass-fed whey gainz and drink it 30 minutes afterward. Voila.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-should-take-creatine\">Who Should Take Creatine?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Creatine is no longer just for those who want improved athletic performance or to add on lean muscle mass.* It\u2019s for the ambitious. Those who want more out of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And 6 Point Creatine&#8230;well, 6 Point Creatine is for those whose ambitions are insatiable. Those who don\u2019t just want more. It\u2019s for those who want everything. To conquer every facet of life. Then make up another facet, just so they can conquer that too. It is for the relentless. It\u2019s for you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tk.buckedup.com\/J84C5\/26B6MK\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stock up<\/a>. Someday, with the help of 6 Point Creatine, you will make an admirable foe. Or the best, most loving partner and philanthropist in the world. Whatever suits you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/loganlpeterson\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog-new.buckedup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/logan.plaid_-808x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2566\" style=\"width:208px;height:264px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Author: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/loganlpeterson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">loganlpeterson<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is not going to be another article about how creatine is the best supplement for fitness, although, it wouldn\u2019t be a stretch for me to make that claim. My focus is on the quickly developing studies that suggest creatine might be the closest supplement to a &#8220;Limitless&#8221; level nootropic we have available.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":248249474,"featured_media":2568,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"video","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13985,13127434],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1531","post","type-post","status-publish","format-video","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-wellness","category-product-spotlights","post_format-post-format-video"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1531","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/248249474"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1531"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1531\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buckedup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}