For those unacquainted with health supplements, a stroll down the bottle-filled aisles of a drug store will surely arouse questions of creatine, a substance whose eight letters are plastered on labels of products aimed at strengthening muscles and endurance of athletes. What is this mysterious ingredient, where does it originate, and what can it do for you? A read through the following information will solve your creatine curiosities, and will guide you in boosting your body’s supply, whether through diet or store-bought supplements.What Is CreatineAccording to Mayo Clinic, creatine is “synthesized in the human body from amino acids primarily in the kidney and liver.†This substance occurs naturally and “is converted into creatine phosphate or phosphocreatine and stored in the muscles, where it is used for energy,†explains the University of Maryland Medical Center.Benefits of Use in Strength TrainingIn the 1970s, Soviet scientists reported that oral creatine supplements may improve athletic performance during brief, intense activities such as sprints, according to the Mayo Clinic. It has since gained a reputation as a safe source for a physical boost, and many research studies have led the way in determining this protein’s benefits. Eric S. Rawson and Jeff S. Volek performed one study in particular, titled Effects of Creatine Supplementation and Resistance Training on Muscle Strength and Weightlifting Performance, in which 16 out of 22 studies demonstrated an increase in athletic strength and performance in weightlifting, and “the average increase in muscle strength following creatine supplementation plus resistance training was 20 percent.â€ÂCreate Creatine with FoodWhile meat contains a large amount of creatine, milk and cranberries are known to have this muscle boosting substance as well. The three amino acids which help build the protein are also found in many other food sources, such as nuts, seeds, wheat germ, and chickpeas, making these healthy foods a great addition to a powerful protein diet.Supplemental StrengtheningIf you are serious about providing your body with creatine to expand the strengthening abilities of your muscular system, you may be interested in purchasing a supplement, which will allow for simple consumption and higher amounts of this body booster. As it can be stressful on your body to over-supplement with nearly any substance, it is important to first talk to your healthcare professional about a healthy dose for your body, any complications which could arise due to pre-existing conditions, and risks that may be involved while consuming creatine.When you have discovered if and how much is appropriate for you, look to stores such as GNC, which carry items such as GNC Pro Performance Amplified Creatine 189 tablets(GNC, $40) and GNC Pro Performance Creatine Monohydrate powder(GNC, $18).