Crea/Max Powder, Fruit Punch, 1 Kg.

Crea/Max is a creatine supplement that contains taurine and glutamine. These two additional ingredients help the creatine to work more effectively to improve performance in high-intensity, short-term exercise tasks.

To perform optimally, muscles need energy. The body provides the energy needed in situations requiring immediate, high-intensity actions as in exercise, in the form of ATP, or adenosine triphosphate. Since the body has only a limited supply of ATP, usually to last only a few seconds of intense exercise, ATP is continuously produced to supply energy in order for the muscles to function. The body uses creatine phosphate to quickly
replenish ATP.

Intake of supplemental creatine can increase the production of energy enabling muscles to perform at higher intensity. While the body produces its own supply of creatine, it is not sufficient to supply the muscle with the added energy necessary for intense performance. Creatine saturates the muscle to convert it into ATP. This conversion takes place in the absence of oxygen and is, therefore, used as an anaerobic pathway for energy. Creatine has a volumizing effect on the muscle. Muscles have improved strength and have high energy and intensity. That allows the athlete to recover faster and have more energy for each training session.

Glutamine is also in high demand throughout the body. It is used in the gut and immune system extensively to maintain optimal performance. 60% of free-form amino acids floating in skeletal muscles is L-glutamine. L-glutamine plays a very important role in protein metabolism, and is a very important nutrient for body builders. A strict, strenuous training regimen that does not allow sufficient time for recovery may cause overtraining syndrome (OTS). This syndrome presents itself as decreased performance, depressed mood and increased rate of infections, and runners, bicyclists, skiers and, among others, rowers are known to suffer from it. This is due to persistent low levels of glutamine in the blood plasma of these athletes. When supplemented, it may help body builders reduce the amount of muscle deterioration that occurs because other tissues that need glutamine will not rob the glutamine stored in the muscle cells.

Glutamine is also known to induce the secretion of growth hormone. Its effect on the release of growth hormone depends upon a regular exercise regimen. Growth hormone is an extremely important hormone, which triggers the release of IGF-1 (insulin growth factor-1) that is the workhorse to help reduce weight, increase lean body mass, increases bone density and, of course, promotes general health and well being considerably.

High concentrations of taurine are found in the heart muscle, white blood cells, skeletal muscle, and central nervous system. It is a building block of all the other amino acids as well as a key component of bile, which is needed for the digestion for fats, the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and the control of serum cholesterol levels. Taurine is vital for the proper utilization of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and it has been shown to play a particular role in sparing the loss of potassium from the heart muscle. Taurine has several critical functions and can act similarly to creatine in that it expands the cells by helping the muscle cell itself hold more water, increasing cell volume. For a lifter or bodybuilder, this is significant because expanded muscle cells can boost hydration resulting in a higher rate of protein synthesis and bodybuilders will appreciate the increased appearance of muscle fullness.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. How Should Crea/Max Be Taken?

Crea/Max can be taken with water but is best ingested with a nutritious fluid such as juice in generous amounts. Take one serving twice daily evenly spaced between meals.

2. How does Glutamine help increase protein synthesis?

Glutamine helps the body to secrete its own growth hormone which trigger's the release of IGF-1 (Insulin Growth Factor 1). This hormone helps promote weight loss, increase lean body mass, and increase bone density.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 2 scoops (50 g)
Servings Per Container: 20
	Amount per serving	% Daily Value *
Calories	132
Calories from fat	0
Total Fat	0	0%
Sodium	0 mg	0%
Total carbohydrates	33 g	11%
Sugars	23 g
Protein	0 g	0%
Creatine Monohydrate	5 g	†
L-Glutamine	5 g	†
L-Taurine	5 g	†

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Other Ingredients: Crystalline Dextrose, Crystalline Fructose, Glucose Polymers (maltodextrins), Citric Acid, Natural Fruit Punch Flavor and Natural Beef Powder (for color).

SELECTED REFERENCES:
Burke DG, Chilibeck PD, Parise G, Candow DG, Mahoney D, Tarnopolsky M. Effect of creatine and weight training on muscle creatine and performance in vegetarians. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003 Nov;35(11):1946-55.

Chwalbinska-Moneta J. Effect of creatine supplementation on aerobic performance and anaerobic capacity in elite rowers in the course of endurance training. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2003 Jun;13(2):173-83.

Hiscock N, Petersen EW, Krzywkowski K, Boza J, Halkjaer-Kristensen J, Pedersen BK. Glutamine supplementation further enhances exercise-induced plasma IL-6. J Appl Physiol. 2003 Jul;95(1):145-8. Epub 2003 Feb 28.

Kreider RB, Ferreira M, Wilson M, Grindstaff P, Plisk S, Reinardy J, Cantler E, Almada AL. Effects of creatine supplementation on body composition, strength, and sprint performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998 Jan;30(1):73-82.

Walsh et al. Glutamine, Exercise, and Immune Function. Sports Med.: 26, 177, 1998. Yatabe Y, Miyakawa S, Miyazaki T, Matsuzaki Y, Ochiai N. Effects of taurine administration in rat skeletal muscles on exercise. J Orthop Sci. 2003;8(3):415-9.

Warning: These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet or exercise program. Some of these products are not recommended for individuals under the age of 18.

This page was last modified on Sunday January 06, 2008