![\"Creatine](\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/creatine-powders.jpg\")
Creatine supports a wide range of functions but is perhaps best known for its role in improving physical performance and power.<\/p>\nCreatine supports a wide range of functions but is perhaps best known for its role in improving physical performance and power.<\/p>\n
It is a fairly common supplement taken by athletes<\/a> and bodybuilders<\/a> and here we take a closer look at what vegans need to know about it, including whether or not creatine is vegan.<\/p>\n Humans naturally make creatine in their liver and kidneys, with the body storing it in the muscles, blood, brain and other areas of the body. Of course such self-produced creatine is not something vegans need to worry about; but what about when it is taken as a supplement?<\/p>\n There are a whole host of supplements<\/a> vegans might choose to take and in truth creatine is one of the more niche ones. Because the body can make it from glycine and arginine (two amino acids, with a third, methionine, needed to facilitate the process), it isn\u2019t necessary to consume any creatine in the diet. Consequently, it is not something organisations, such as the NHS or the British Nutrition Foundationm consider in any great detail, nor is there a recommended daily intake level.<\/p>\n As alluded to, it is something that athletes, bodybuilders or weightlifters sometimes use to improve their performance. It has been proven to boost anaerobic power by up to 15% but also has other potential benefits, which we will look at more closely later in this article.<\/p>\n However, to cut to the chase, as is so often the case with items in our Is It Vegan?<\/a> section, creatine is sometimes vegan. There is a little confusion around this, which is understandable for a number of reasons. Creatine was \u201cdiscovered\u201d in 1832 by the renowned French chemist, Michel Eug\u00e8ne Chevreul. He was a gerontological pioneer and himself lived to the age of 102, which is rather impressive for someone born in 1786.<\/p>\n He named the organic compound creatine from the Greek for meat, kreas<\/em>, so it is easy to see why confusion might arise. Moreover, creatine is only really found in animal products (hence the name) and is most abundant in the muscle tissue (which is the bit typically eaten by non-vegans) of red meat, as well as pork and poultry, with smaller levels found in the offal of these foods. Fish, such as herring, tuna, salmon and cod, also contain significant creatine levels, whilst smaller amounts are found in shellfish, eggs and dairy milk.<\/p>\n However, whilst some creatine supplements may be non-vegan, most are in fact suitable for those following a plant-based diet. If they aren\u2019t marked as appropriate for vegans, then look out for \u201csynthetic creatine\u201d on the label. This is usually an indication it has been made in the lab, rather than from animal products. Making it synthetically is typically cheaper and easier and so, in our experience, most creatine products are indeed fine for vegans to consume.<\/p>\nWhat Is Creatine?<\/h2>\n
Is Creatine Vegan?<\/h2>\n
What is Synthetic Creatine Made From?<\/h3>\n
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