Ask The Muscle Doc: How Does Creatine Help Muscle Gains?

Q: I've read enough at this point to know that creatine often helps increase muscle mass. But I haven't seen an explanation of how. So, what's the deal?

This is a great question, because if you were to ask me for a single supplement recommendation when muscle growth is the goal, I'd say hands-down, no-brainer: creatine. An overwhelming amount of research indicates that supplementing with creatine predictably elevates intramuscular concentrations. And as you note, studies consistently show that this phenomenon translates into a greater ability to build muscle. Gains of several pounds of muscle are routinely reported when lifters supplement with creatine, over and above just performing resistance training alone.[1,2]

However, the mechanisms by which creatine builds muscle remain somewhat speculative. So, let's look at the most plausible and research-backed possibilities.

Creatine and muscle: two major theories

You may already know this, but creatine does far more than just help...

Source: Ask The Muscle Doc: How Does Creatine Help Muscle Gains?