Creatine is a sport supplement used to increase strength and endurance in short, high-intensity activities such as sprinting and weightlifting. Rhabdomyolysis is a release of chemicals found in damaged muscle tissue into the body. Creatine itself does not cause rhabdomyolysis. However, creatine can raise the risk of dehydration when not taken with enough water.
Rhabdomyolysis
Exercises causes damage to your muscle fibers. The repair of this damage leads to increased strength and endurance. Rhabdomyolysis is caused by the release of a large amount of myoglobin, a pigment that stored oxygen in your muscles, into your bloodstream. Large amounts of myoglobin can be toxic to your body, especially your kidneys. Symptoms include dark- colored urine, weakness, fatigue, muscle pain and muscle inflammation.
Creatine
Your muscles naturally produce creatine from amino acids, the building blocks of protein and other molecules in your body. Your muscles can charge creatine with energy and use it for energy during exercise. Creatine is rapidly exhausted by exercise within a few seconds, however, increasing the amount of creatine in your muscles can be helpful for strength-oriented exercise. It is unclear whether creatine supplements increase the amount of creatine present in your muscles, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Water & Creatine
Creatine draws water into your muscles; how can it cause dehydration? Water in your body can exist in two forms: free or bound to other molecules, such as creatine. Although creatine increases the total amount of water in your muscles, because it binds a large shell of water molecules, it reduces the free water in your muscles available for biochemical reactions. The effects of dehydration are partially caused by the reduction in free water in your body. Dehydration may worsen symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, due to an effective increase in the concentration of myoglobin present in the blood.
Safety
Exercising at extreme intensities can be dangerous and will not improve your physical conditioning. Always consume extra water when taking a creatine supplement, especially when working out intensely or in hot environments. Consult your doctor prior to beginning creatine supplementation if you are currently under treatment for a medical condition.
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