After the age of 50, this supplement, long shunned by women, is more effective than collagen in keeping you toned.
After fifty, the silhouette changes and muscles lose their firmness, often despite the efforts made. A food supplement, long shunned and misunderstood, is now emerging as a formidable anti-ageing weapon that few people in their fifties are really aware of.
Why do muscles weaken after age 50?
The body undergoes a natural muscular wasting ofaround 1% per year as we approach our fifties. This process accelerates after the age of sixty and can slide towards sarcopenia, severe muscle loss.
This slackening is partly explained by the slowing down of the liver, kidneys and pancreas. These organs produce less of a molecule essential to cell vitality, which thediet alone struggles to compensate for.
Less toned muscles burn less energy. Metabolism slows down and fat accumulates, especially in the abdominal area.
Collagen is not the only active ingredient to consider
Most people in their fifties focus on collagen. However, another active ingredient is far more effective in preserving muscle mass and maintaining a firm figure.
This active ingredient has long been confined to bodybuilding, a victim of old prejudices dating back to the 1990s. As a result, many people are still unaware of its potential for the general public after the age of fifty.
Creatine monohydrate: the little-known anti-aging supplement
The molecule in question is creatine monohydrate. This supplement acts like a back-up battery at the heart of muscle cells.
As soon as the muscle is called upon, creatine regenerates adenosine triphosphate, the body’s universal fuel, at an unprecedented speed. Without a sufficient supply, the cellular machine grinds to a halt and the body struggles to maintain firm tissue.
This supplement is also invaluable for those who have reduced or banned meat from their diet. By supplementing, they make up for a major deficiency not covered by a plant-based diet.
“This active ingredient is totally safe for healthy people, and acts like a back-up battery at the heart of our cells. As soon as the muscle is called upon, creatine regenerates adenosine triphosphate, the body’s universal fuel, at an unprecedented speed. Without a sufficient supply, the cellular machine grinds to a halt, and the body struggles to maintain firm tissue.” – Antoine Loth, Innovation and Development Manager, SuperSmart laboratory
What studies say about creatine and body shape
Combined with appropriate exercise, this supplement increases lean body mass while reducing body fat. The result is a denser, sharper figure.
Contrary to popular belief, a moderate dose does not cause visible water retention. So it’s a serious way to sculpt your figure without resorting to drastic methods.
There is one golden rule, however: make sure you don’t have any pre-existing kidney problems before starting creatine supplementation.
- Natural muscle wasting represents around 1% per year after the age of 50.
- The liver, kidneys and pancreas slow down their creatine production with age.
- Creatine monohydrate regenerates adenosine triphosphate, the fuel of muscle cells.
- This supplement is not recommended for people with pre-existing kidney problems.
- People who have reduced or eliminated meat from their diet are particularly affected by this deficit.
How do I take creatine after the age of 50?
For concrete results, 3 g of creatine a day must be accompanied by regular physical activity. There’s no need to lift weights to reap the benefits.
Gentle resistance exercises are all it takes to awaken the muscle fibre. Elastic bands, yoga, Nordic walking or aqua aerobics are the perfect options.
This supplement is ideally taken immediately after exercise. On days of rest, it can be taken with a meal to promote digestive comfort.
When it comes to marketing, a word of caution is in order. Choose a monohydrate form of impeccable purity, free from impurities such as dicyandiamide or dihydrotriazine, which betray poorly controlled processes.
