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Muscle recovery can be sped up by taking creatine supplements before and after a hard workout and can hurry up muscle recovery, so says the latest health news research.

Creatine is a naturally occurring substance in the human body. It is primarily made from amino acids in the kidney and liver. The majority of creatine made is then transferred to the skeletal muscles. There is now good evidence that creatine can help muscles recover faster from injury. A recent study from Baylor College of Medicine revealed that inactive young male adults who took creatine supplements regularly increased their muscle strength much faster after performing a variety of exercises.

For many years, creatine has been available in natural health food stores. Reports about its ability to help muscles recover have existed for more than 2 decades and now there is another study to back the previous claims.

While many studies have looked at creatine as an energy supplement, primarily for athletes and body builders, this study looked at the effects of creatine on muscle damage and recovery rate. The study is published in the latest Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition.

The study looked at 14 non exercising males who used creatine and carbohydrates or carbohydrate by themselves for five days piror and 14 days after a tough workout. Water was encouraged during the study. The total dose of creatine per day was 21 grs which was taken after the workout.

The type of exercises performed included leg press, leg extension and leg flexion machines.  Each exercise was repeated at 120 percent of their 1-repetition maximum capacity.

After a period of 1, 2 3 and 4 days following completion of the exercises, the men who took creatine had lower reductions in their isometric knee extension strength than the men in the control group who only took carbohydrates.

The study also revealed had higher blood levels of creatine which persisted after exercise. Said the lead investigator of the study, “It is evident from the current study that creatine supplementation prior to, and during recovery from, an eccentric exercise training session, provides faster recovery in muscle strength.”

While the study is great news for athletes and bodybuilders, one should always understand that the study was sponsored by manufacturers of creatine. Until double blind controlled studies are available, it is hard to make any type of recommendation.

Published data and anecdotal reports indicate that perhaps 25-50 percent of professional sport athletes consume creatine on a regular basis.

Moreover, the numbers are even higher at the high school and college levels. Surveys of athletes in colleges indicate that creatine is used by amateur athletes in every sport including cycling, swimming, track, football, wrestling and so on.

Ten years ago, the creatine market was estimate at $200 million but it is believed to be a lot higher today. In 2000, the NCAA banned colleges from distribution creatine to its sports athletes.

In 1998, the creatine market in the United States was estimated at $200 million. In 2000, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) banned colleges from distributing creatine to their players.

There is no question that one can lose weight with prescription drugs. Drugs for weight loss have been around for decades and the majority do work. However, these prescription weight loss drugs do have certain side effects and complications that may not be desirable. The older weight loss drugs like amphetamines and fen-fen were excellent for weight loss but were also associated with serious heart complications, drug dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Weight loss drugs are only ideal for short term use and can help one lose weight fast. However, these drugs are not meant for everyone and most physicians only prescribe them for individuals who have weight related health problems.

One should always start to lose weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise. After a trial of 3-6 months, if this has not worked then perhaps one should seek weight loss drugs. There are tons of herbs, lotions and potions on cyberspace for weight loss. The majority of these products are fakes, scams and shams. So save your money and avoid the disappointments. If you are going to spend money, use it on something that works.

Are you a candidate for a prescription weight loss drug?

Because of safety issues, prescription weight loss drugs are not meant for cosmetic use.  Individuals who simply want to look trim and slim are definitely not candidates for these drugs. The prescription drugs are for those individuals who are unable to achieve a healthy weight through diet and exercise and often have health related problems because of excess weight.

Other criteria for weight loss drugs are that your body mass index must be greater than 25 and you must have a medical disorder like diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea.

The two prescription drugs that can help you lose anywhere from 10-15 pounds in 2-3 months are sibutramine (meridia) and orlistat (xenical).  These drugs have to be taken daily for about 2-4 months and do work in about 80% of individuals. Common side effects include headaches, diarrhea, dry mouth, abdominal cramps, and greasy stools. The average monthly cost for these drugs ranges from $200-$300.

Two non prescription medications that also work include adipex and alli. Adipex contains phentermine and is only approved for short term use. While it can help reduce weight, rebound weight gain is common if you do not make changes in your life styles.

Allis is the reduced strength of xenical and is often recommended with a low fat diet and regular exercise. Both these drugs help you lose 2-3 pounds a month, but both have annoying side effects like dry mouth, dizziness, diarrhea, greasy stools and soiling of your panties or underwear (not a great side effect if you are trying to be sexy and trim).

Unfortunately there is no ideal medication for weight loss and these drugs should not be a replacement for changes in your eating habits or life style. When combined with an exercise program these drugs do help you lose weight. Remember, while all these drug to help you shed of a few pounds, you will rapidly gain the weight back on if you stop exercising.

Before you consider weight loss drugs, see if you can change your life style by eating healthy and incorporating exercise. If you can maintain these changes, then you may not even need to use these drugs.