Understanding what creatine really is and understanding the different kinds of creatine that are out there, as well as the various products, comes down to having a solid understanding of how creatine is created in the body and what it actually does. In this video, I will not only break down the different kinds of creatine so that you can address what is on the label of your favorite products, but I also want you to have a solid understanding of the physiology behind creatine in our bodies and what it does at a cellular level. Let's start by talking about what creatine actually is. Creatine is something that is created by the body to carry energy and allow the transfer of energy to occur from the mitochondria throughout the rest of the cell. It is formed by three different amino acids: arginine, glycine, and methionine, which combine to create creatine. It is important to note that creatine is not unsafe, as it is naturally occurring in the body and excess amounts can be eliminated. Creatine is predominantly stored in skeletal muscle tissue, which is why it plays a significant role in athletes and strength training. On average, we hold about 3 and a 1/2 grams of creatine in every pound of skeletal muscle tissue, with the capability to hold up to about 5 grams per pound. Now, let's talk about how creatine creates energy. The process starts in the mitochondria, which is the energy powerhouse of a cell. The mitochondria take ketone bodies, fatty acids, and glucose and convert them into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - the form of energy that our cells use. Creatine plays a role in this process. However, the mitochondria don't do much until we are active. When a muscle cell is dormant or not moving, the mitochondria...