Creatine is a powerful substance that provides energy to the muscles while intense workouts and lifting weights. Most athletes and fitness fanatics take creatine supplements to enhance their sports performance. We see them shredded and lean, and wonder if creatine is good for weight loss too!
Does creatine make you lose weight? The short answer is – yes, it helps you lose weight in long run but not in the short term, and not by burning belly fat specifically. You may experience weight gain in the first week because creatine allows your muscles to retain water. However, it helps you lose weight by improving your performance and stamina in the gym, which leads to more calorie expenditure and more muscle growth. And as we all know, muscle burns more calories than fat, even at rest!
Note: we advise consulting with your doctor first before taking creatine if you are on any medical condition like hypertension or diabetes etc.
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What Is Creatine?
Creatine is a substance that naturally occurs in the human body, mostly in the skeletal muscle. Our bodies produce creatine in the kidneys, pancreas and liver and it gets stored in the muscle tissues. It is also found in small amounts in foods such as meat and fish.
Creatine plays an important role in energy production and muscle contraction. It is often taken as a sports supplement by athletes and bodybuilders because it has been shown to increase muscle mass and strength.
Creatine is mostly used as a pre-workout energy booster, read how pre workout helps with weight loss!
How Does It Help You Lose Weight?
While creatine is often marketed as a sports supplement, it may also help with weight loss. It has been shown in studies to help with losing weight in obese individuals, as well as help people retain lean muscle mass while burning fat with exercise.
Several studies showed that creatine was able to provide more energy to perform intense exercises and enhance fat burning during workouts, which may lead to greater weight loss over time. Additionally, creatine has been shown to increase metabolism and reduce appetite. Thus, it may help promote weight loss by increasing energy expenditure and reducing calorie intake.
On the other hand, it allows your muscles to retain water, which makes them look fuller and prevents Cortisol (the stress hormone) from breaking down muscle tissue for energy. This means you may notice weight gain in the first few days or a week because of the water weight. But, over time, with regular creatine supplementation, you will experience less muscle breakdown and burning more fat.
Try wearing a sauna suit during exercise, these sweat suits help you burn more calories and drop pounds quickly.
Does Creatine Burn Belly Fat?
It is a common question whether creatine helps burn belly fat. The simple answer is that no, creatine does not burn belly fat. However, creatine monohydrate does help with weight loss in long run – but only with regular workouts.
Creatine is often taken in powder form, and when mixed with liquids, it can cause bloating and make you look fat. This can make the stomach appear larger and make you gain belly fat, but it is not actual fat gain. Since creatine helps with overall weight loss, it may help to reduce the amount of fat in the belly area and make you lean.
Should I Take Creatine While Trying To Lose Weight?
There are many opinions on whether or not you should take creatine while trying to lose weight or belly fat.
Medical studies have shown that, for the most part, taking creatine while trying to lose weight does not have any negative effects. And it does aid in burning more calories and fat during workouts which leads to weight loss. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind if you decide to take it while losing weight.
Also, read how Celsius helps with weight loss – generally, by providing explosive energy while workout and increasing metabolism to lose weight!
First and foremost, make sure you are drinking plenty of water when taking creatine – about three liters per day. This is because creatine causes muscles to retain water, and if you are not drinking enough fluids, you may experience dehydration.
Additionally, be sure to eat a healthy diet when taking creatine – one that includes plenty of protein, fruits and vegetables – as it will help your body get the most out of the supplement.
Note: remember that creatine should only be taken as directed by practitioners and never exceed the recommended dosage, as this could lead to health problems.
Bottom Line
So, creatine may or may not help you lose weight – it will depend on your goals. If you are looking to shed some pounds quickly in short term, creatine is not going to aid in positive results. In fact, it may cause weight gain because of water retention in muscles. However, creatine does help you lose weight in long run by boosting your energy to perform intense exercises and burn more calories.
Whether or not you should take creatine while trying to lose weight really depends on your own personal goals and how you react to the supplement. Some people find that they do better without it – especially if they are trying to lose belly fat – while others swear by its ability to help burn calories and fat during workouts.
Frequently Asked Questions: (FAQs)
Can I lose weight with creatine?
Yes, creatine can help you lose weight in long run, but only if you are also working out to burn calories and eating a healthy diet.
Can creatine speed up weight loss?
Creatine will not speed up weight loss, in fact, it may cause weight gain initially. However, it can help burn more calories and fat during workouts which leads to weight loss.
Does creatine burn belly fat?
No, creatine does not burn belly fat. However, it makes you burn fat and shed some pounds which may help to reduce the amount of fat in the belly area and make you lean.
