The+Final+Draft

Creatine Supplementation D-Bol, Winstrol, Deca-Durabolin, Sustanon 250, Androstenedione. Steroids have made its way to our daily lives. What about **//creatine//**? Whenever this word is mentioned, many people assume that it is a testes shrinking, gynecomastia, and organ failure causing; steroid. People tend to believe that creatine supplementation is unethical and pointless. However, European dominance in the Olympic Games during the 80’s and 90’s were partly associated with creatine supplementation (Passwater 9). Many athletes such as Mark McGwire have used creatine in their training regimen ("Creatine Supplementation"). Linford Christie, a British sprinter, supplemented creatine into his pre-Olympic training program. He brought home the gold in the 100m at Barcelona in the 1992 Olympics (“Creatine Supplementation”). **Creatine should not be banned by the IOC, International Olympic Committee, and WADA, World Anti-Doping Agency, because it's completely safe, it's not a steroid, and hard work is necessary to have benefits from it****. ** Creatine isn’t on the list of banned substances by the IOC or the WADA (“Creatine Supplementation”). Creatine has often been considered an anabolic/androgenic steroid, AAS. The two have often been compared and thought of as on the same level of potency. If people were to truly grasp the concept of creatine, they would see that it is nothing like a steroid. Steroids are synthetically made hormones used to promote muscle growth and male sexual characteristics (“Steroid Fast Facts”). Creatine, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring amino acid in a person's body (“Creatine”). Consumption of red meats, fish, and poultry are good ways to introduce creatine into a diet. However no food could make up for the properties of steroids. Anabolic steroids can only be obtained legally with a prescription, however most "abusers" obtain them in the black markets. Creatine, however, doesn't require a prescription and can be bought at a local Wal-mart. Creatine isn’t as dangerous as anabolic steroids Death, muscle cramps, dehydration, kidney failure, these side effects have all been attributed to creatine supplementation. No research has ever resulted with bad side effects of creatine use. Creatine is the most researched product in the supplement industry with over 30,000 researches done. ("Creatine Supplements") Creatine can also be bought over the counter at most stores. Unsafe products are usually if not immediately pulled off the counters by the FDA if reports are bad. Perhaps, Dr. Paul Balsom, world leading expert on creatine, summed up creatine's side effects. "To the best of our knowledge, the only documented adverse effect that has been associated with creatine supplementation is an increase in body mass". There is no evidence to back up the hypothesis of creatine being harmful, therefore it should not be considered a banned substance. Creatine, like whey protein and multivitamins are supplements. They supplement what one is missing in their diet. Every gram of creatine, protein, or Vitamin C could be obtained through whole foods. However people don't have the time or ability to eat that much food. An average person consumes two to three grams of creatine daily (Branch). The liver also makes two grams of creatine a day through the amino acids glycine, arginine, and methionine (Branch). Creatine is just a supplement; it’s not harmful in any way. No serious side effects from creatine have ever been recorded in research. A common misconception is that creatine is an abusive steroid-like substance that is lethal. With a little education, most people can realize the falsity of their claims (UMM). Creatine has its safety warnings like any other supplements. More people end up in the hospital for vitamin poisoning annually than they do from creatine complications. "Bottom line, creatine safety has been extensively researched and is far safer than most over-the-counter (OTC) products, including aspirin . " (Brinck 21). Creatine shouldn’t be banned by sports organizations because it’s much safer than many prescriptions in a medicine cabinet. Creatine without working out is a like eating a 16oz steak if a person is a vegan, it's flat out pointless. In order to see results from creatine supplementation, one must have a nutritional diet of fats, carbohydrates, and the building blocks of muscles, protein. Creatine does not harm or help a person if he or she does not work out. The muscle would not be broken down and rebuilt without exercise and food to build (Savoye). Carolyn Lewis said that "Scientific studies only support a creatine advantage if an athlete does not already have a good diet" (Lewis and Woolf). Creatine isn't a miracle product that triggers the mind into making hormones for muscle growth. It is a supplement that requires hard work in the gym and a smart diet. Creatine isn’t for everyone, it’s for people who are dedicated in the gym and care for one’s body. As a result of incorporating creatine into a diet, many athletes have become bigger, faster, and stronger. A renowned researcher in the field promotes usage by saying “If you’re a parent who questions if creatine is safe for you, you’ll be relieved to know medical research suggests creatine is safe” (Clark). Creatine supplementation has its many benefits with few side effects. **It should not be banned by the IOC and WADA because it is naturally occurring in the body, completely safe, similar to other supplements, and requires hard work for it to work****. ** "The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work . Hard work is the price we must pay for success . I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price . " (Lombardi).