Cloverdale Pharmasave Health Centre
5778 176A Street
Surrey, British Columbia
V3S 4H3
P: 604-576-2888
F: 604-576-2882
Store Hours:

Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sundays: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Statutory Holidays: CLOSED

 

Power-Up with Creatine

August 2, 2019

By Frederick Cheng (RPh), and Christine Cheng (RPh)

Creatine has had a bad rep over the years.  It is often thought of erroneously as an illegal supplement used by athletes and body builders to improve muscle performance.  However, it is considered a legal substance by the International Olympic Committee and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency list of banned substances.  Creatine (aka. methylguanidine-acetic acid) is a naturally occurring amine found most often in red meat and seafood.  The body makes 1-2g daily and another 1-2g is sourced from food every day.  A small amount is found in the brain, heart muscle, testes, and retina, while 95% of it is in found in skeletal muscle as creatine and phosphocreatine.  Supplementation is thought to improve athletic performance and enhance muscle strength.  Orally, it is commonly used for age-related muscle loss, inflammation of joints, Parkinson’s disease, surgical recovery, and many other ailments.  Under proper use, it is well-tolerated with minimal risk of side-effects or harm to your kidney or liver.

Age-related muscle loss can have serious consequences.  Not only are you less physically strong, but you may experience reduced ability to perform daily activities and maintain balance as you stand or walk, increasing your chances of falling and increasing the risk of fractures.  Preventing this muscle loss is crucial, and that is where creatine comes in handy.  For most clients, we really like ZIPFUEL™ by PRARIE NATURALS.  It comes in a delicious naturally flavoured orange-mango or wild berry powder, which is pH-balanced and easily-absorbed.  Its active ingredients consist of 3 forms of high-quality creatine: creatine monohydrate, creatine alph-ketoglutarate and tri-creatine malate.  It improves muscle power, strength and tone, as well as give you a safe burst of energy.  The formulation is beneficial for those suffering from traumatic injury or surgical recovery.  For those doing physical training, creatine can also help with anaerobic “short-burst” performance via enhanced ATP production.   Overall, it can help reduce inflammation from exercise and minimizes lactic acid build-up.

What is a safe dose?  With ZIPFUEL™, you would take a 7.5g scoop once daily (or up to twice daily on exercise days).  You must consult your physician or an integrative pharmacist such as those at CLOVERDLAE PHARMASAVE or PHARMASAVE STEVESTON VILLAGE prior to use (especially if you are on an anti-inflammatory drug, or certain antibiotics) and follow the product label of the creatine you choose.  Generally, 25g daily is a safe loading dose (for up to 14 days) and 4-5g daily would be a safe maintenance dose.   Regardless of the formulation of creatine, be sure to drink adequate fluid: minimum of 2L daily, and 1-2 glasses extra with each of your creatine doses.

If you are looking for a safe, delicious way to minimize muscle loss, improve muscle performance, while minimizing overall inflammation, then ZIPFUEL™ creatine could be your answer.

Christine and Fred Cheng are a passionate, charismatic sister-brother pharmacist team at their unique, family-owned and operated Pharmasave stores in Cloverdale and Steveston, B.C. They specialize in natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinarian use. Everything mentioned in their article is available InStore. 


***All information posted and shared by Cloverdale Pharmasave is offered to provide information and choices regarding nutritional support for various health concerns, none of which is intended to be a treatment protocol for any disease state. The information does not replace seeking professional advice from your physician. Consult your health care practitioner before taking dietary supplements.

Articles, Q&A, blog posts and all materials submitted for publishing is the intellectual property of Cloverdale Pharmacy Ltd – reproduction in part or whole, in print or online, without written consent and permission is prohibited.

ZIPFUEL™

  • Quickly & safely boosts ATP – our body’s energy molecule!
  • Buffered & pH balanced energy drink for all ages
  • Increases “anaerobic potential” of power sprints
  • Strengthens muscle and improves muscle tone
  • Effective for people of all ages & fitness levels
  • Made with three high-quality Creatine sources
  • Replaces potassium lost through perspiration
  • Deliciously refreshing natural orange mango flavour
  • Reduces inflammation caused by exercise
  • Speeds recovery from surgery & injury
  • Provides quick energy without acidity
  • Reduces “hitting the wall” syndrome
  • Increases muscle power & strength
  • Supports cardiovascular health
  • Buffers lactic acid build-up
  • Hydrates muscle tissue
  • Fuels physical activity
  • Improves respiration
  • Highly absorbable
  • Ideal for seniors
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