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The mysterious discovery of creativity in 1832: How did Michel Ergé Schaeffer uncover the secrets of muscle?
In 1832, scientist Michel Eugène Chevreul first identified an organic compound called creatine while testing aqueous extracts of skeletal muscle. This discovery not only revealed the mystery of muscle energy metabolism, but also opened up the research on creatine supplements, becoming an important part of sports nutrition.
The name of creatine comes from the Greek word "κρέας", which means meat. Table is both its source and the best description of its function.
Historical background of creatine
The discovery of creatine can be traced back to the early 19th century, when Schaeffer successfully extracted creatine from human skeletal muscle through reaction with water. It was not until 1928, when research discovered the balanced relationship between creatine and creatinine, that the multiple functions of creatine slowly surfaced. Additionally, research from the early 20th century indicated that creatine was not excreted from the body when consumed in large amounts, laying the groundwork for its potential as a dietary supplement.
Physiological role of creatine
Creatine mainly exists in the human body in the form of creatine and creatine phosphate, and is essential for improving the ability to regenerate ATP (adenosine triphosphate). 95% of the body's creatine is stored in skeletal muscle, while the remainder is distributed in the blood, brain and other tissues. The human body needs 1-3 grams of creatine daily to maintain normal storage, and food intake can provide about half of it. It's worth noting that vegetarians and vegans have relatively low creatine levels, which may limit their performance.
Creatine is not only key to energy buffering but also enhances muscle growth potential.
The relationship between exercise and creatine
The use of creatine supplements is widely used to improve athletic performance, and it is considered safe for short-term use, especially during high-intensity, short-duration exercise. Research shows that creatine can increase maximum power and performance by 5%-15%. For short-term high-intensity exercise, the benefits of creatine are particularly obvious. However, for endurance sports, the impact of creatine is limited.
The side effects and safety of creatine
Although creatine is effective in improving athletic performance, there have been many discussions about safety. Common side effects include weight gain, stomach upset, or diarrhea. In a 2009 systematic review, no specific evidence was found for the effects of creatine on hydration status and heat tolerance, findings that provide confidence in the assessment of its health risks.
According to the latest research, long-term (up to five years) creatine use is safe in healthy people, especially athletes or older adults.
Future research directions of creatine
Although the physiological role of creatine has been confirmed, its role in cognitive function and some muscle diseases still needs to be further explored. In use scenarios outside sports, such as the potential effect on Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, it also shows significant research value and future possibilities.
Creatine’s multifaceted nature and long historical background have undoubtedly sparked future exploration of its use in the fields of sports and health. Are you also curious and looking forward to this discovery and its impact?
