Does Creatine have any benefit for the layman, or is it meant only for the gym-goers and bodybuilders? Can you take Creatine without working out? The answer is yes, and we will tell you why you definitely must do it!
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Creatine is a necessary nutrient for the human body, and since it has become popular as a supplement in the last few years, many people have questions about it.
This article will address the benefits and pitfalls of taking Creatine if you don’t work out. But before we answer that, let’s first understand why the people who work out take Creatine in the first place?
Why Take Creatine?
Creatine is a safe and natural supplement. It gives very effective results in making our muscles grow naturally but at a faster rate. It is different than raw protein or other protein supplements that help increase muscle growth by adding external protein.
Creatine increases water retention of the muscles forcing them to look bigger. Creatine also helps in the production of ATP, the energy molecule in our body that helps our muscles move. This makes your workout longer and harder, thus naturally increasing your muscle growth.
Creatine-based muscle growth is very long-lasting, unlike other supplements, because this is completely natural growth. Creatine is already produced by our body to maintain proper functioning, so additional Creatine acts to replenish what the body makes on its own.
Can I Take Creatine Even if I Don’t Work Out?
Yes, you can take Creatine even if you are not working out. Creatine is a necessary nutrient and is needed for growing our muscles. Without a proper amount of Creatine, our muscle growth can decline, and we might face weakness and fatigue.
If you feel improper growth in muscles or are regularly tired, you can add Creatine to your diet. Creatine does not negatively affect your body unless you have a medical history of kidney and liver problems. It is safe to take Creatine without a workout. Bodybuilders and athletes take Creatine 4 times a day but only go through training once or twice a day.
People who have taken a break from workouts can also continue their creatine supplementation without worrying about it too much. Creatine helps more while working out, but it is still effective even if you take a break from your daily workout routine.
What Happens if I Take Creatine and Don’t Workout?
If you have been working out and taking Creatine, you must have observed an accelerated growth in muscles and increased energy.
Even if you take a break from the workout, you can continue on Creatine. In this way, although the rate of growth will fall, there will still be growth, and you will still feel a boost of energy. It’s better than completely stopping Creatine.
If you don’t work out, you should first get proper guidance on how much Creatine you should take. Excess Creatine can be harmful, so it is best that you talk to your physio/doctor and find out how much quantity might be good for you. Typically 5gm of Creatine is a good place to start.
Creatine can provide you with a little extra energy that will help you in your day-to-day life. You will also feel a bit of growth in your muscles even if you don’t work out because of increased water retention in your muscle tissues.
What Are the Harmful Effects of Consuming Creatine Without Working Out?
Creatine is one of the safest supplements, but it has its pitfalls too. If you are taking Creatine without working out, then you must make sure that you maintain a proper level of water in your body.
Excess Creatine can cause dehydration, so it’s a must that you maintain a proper water intake. Dehydration can further cause dizziness, headaches, and digestive problems as well. If your diet is already rich in Creatine (Creatine is present in meat and seafood), then it’s safe to say that you must lower your creatine dosage.
Our body produces its own Creatine as well, so it’s not absolutely necessary to take Creatine if you are not working out. If you start to feel the side effects of creatine usage, such as bloating, dizziness, and headaches, then you should stop taking it.
If you feel weakness or improper growth, you can try adding creatine supplements but make sure you are buying a good product from a quality supplier. Prolonged exposure to improper creatine death can cause permanent problems like kidneys and liver damage.
Does Our Body Make Creatine?
Creatine is produced by our body naturally to maintain its proper functioning. Our body can produce up to 2 to 3 grams of Creatine every day to maintain steady growth.
There is also Creatine in our daily food items, which can help us in getting some extra creatine in our body. Meat, seafood, and dairy items are very rich in Creatine. You can also increase the intake of creatine-rich items in your diet to maintain the creatine limit.
Even if you continue Creatine without working out, it will not be harmful in any way until you start overusing it. If you stop working out and continue to take Creatine, it will slow your muscle growth, but not to the extent that you will face if you completely stop Creatine.
Why is Creatine necessary?
Creatine helps in the growth of the muscles in our body. It increases the water retention of the muscles in our body, making them more bulked and puffed. There are a lot of other reasons why Creatine is necessary, and we should not run deficient on it.
Creatine also maintains proper water regulation and forces our body to accelerate body of purification in our body. Creatine also breaks down in our body and provides us with adenosine triphosphate(ATP), which is the energy currency of our body.
This ATP provides us with the necessary amount of energy, and a little boost from Creatine can make us feel more energetic and active. The lack of energy can also make us feel weak and dizzy. People who take a break from workouts continue their creatine dosage to maintain a studier growth and energy level.
A Few Final Words
Creatine is a safe supplement and can be used in our day-to-day life without any problems. Creatine can provide you with extra energy and growth in your muscles even if you don’t work out.
But you should make sure that you don’t have kidney or liver problems prior to starting Creatine, and if there happens to be one, then please consult your doctor before you take this supplement.
Lastly, Creatine should be taken in moderation if you are not working out. Consult a doctor and check how much Creatine you can take if you are not working out on a daily basis.
We hope we have been able to answer the questions that you might be wondering about Creatine consumption. If you have more such doubts or queries, you can ask us in the comments section. Please share this article with others on your social media handles and your groups if you liked the content!