6

I am an vegetarian and ectomorph. I started taking Creatine after workouts for a while. And it seems like I need to supplement creatine every day or else my body goes back to its old form.

Is there any natural way to increase creatine production in our body without supplementation?

0

1 Answer 1

10

First off, don't place too much value in your identification as an ectomorph. It belongs to a very old, and debunked myth about somatotypes.

Now, the point of creatine isn't to gain a permanent weight increase. The point of creatine is to improve muscle recovery between sets by increasing their susceptibility to water, and thus their durability and stamina.

Another benefit of creatine is that you will likely experience increased energy levels during workouts, because of this recovery.

What creatine does NOT do, is provide permanent gains. You take creatine to maximize your workouts, and make better gains while under the effect of it. Then, when you stop taking creatine, you muscles will still have made those gains. You will lose the water weight (which I think you're confusing with going back to your "old form"), but the gains you made are there, unless you stop training all together.

As you probably know, meat and fish are the best sources of creatine, and even then, you'd have to get 500 grams per day to get the optimal amount of creatine. What you, as a vegetarian, should do, is get enough of the amino acids arginine, glycine, and methionine which are used in production of creatine.

Some foods that are rich in glycene: Raw seaweed, spirulina, raw watercress, spinach, soy protein isolate, sesame seeds.

Some foods that are rich in arginine: Peanuts, walnuts, coconuts, soybeans, chickpeas, oats.

Some good sources for methionine: Brazil nuts, oats, sunflower seeds.

For extra reading, I recommend this page on vegan health and weightlifting.

6
  • Thanks. I heard that body produces creatine everyday but in small amounts. How to increase the creatine production of body through diet? Mar 12, 2015 at 11:31
  • @alias_neo92 - I'll edit my answer. I can see that I skipped the part about increasing creatine production naturally.
    – Alec
    Mar 12, 2015 at 11:40
  • @Alec - Good answer, but creatine doesn't really enhance recovery. What it does is increase the amount of creatine available in cells, to transform used up ADP back into ATP. It allows a person to work slightly longer and harder, which will increase eventual gains.
    – JohnP
    Mar 12, 2015 at 23:18
  • @JohnP - I'll be the first to admit I'm not the most informed when it comes to the translocates, but is it possible that the transformation could contribute to faster recovery?
    – Alec
    Mar 13, 2015 at 6:46
  • Mmmm...it does, but not in the way you are thinking. It can make recovery between sets faster, but it doesn't build muscle faster in the recovery phase. It's an energy base/supplement, it doesn't really affect after workout recovery/muscle building.
    – JohnP
    Mar 13, 2015 at 9:52

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.