Using supplemental Creatine increases the amount of IGF-1 (Insulin Growth Like Factor 1) inside muscles. IGF-1 is a catalyst for Insulin and is produced by Growth Hormone. IGF-1 stimulates cell growth and lengthens cell life. IGF-1 can protect against cell and DNA damage by way of an enzyme family called AKT. AKT builds muscle and slows down cell death. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akt
Creatine increases Growth Hormone production. Acute creatine loading enhances human growth hormone secretion.
Growth Hormone increases the amount of IGF-1. Correlations of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I): effects of exercise and abuse by athletes.
Effect of Creatine Supplementation and Resistance-Exercise Training on Muscle Insulin-Like Growth Factor in Young Adults
IJSNEM, 18(4), August 2008,
http://www.humankinetics.com/IJSNEM/viewarticle.cfm?jid=t746qp3Yq234bLK6z366yvx4v683v3tUk843w2kzh232nT73e&aid=16023&site=t746qp3Yq234bLK6z366yvx4v683v3tUk843w2kzh232nT73e
“These findings indicate that creatine supplementation during resistance-exercise training increases intramuscular IGF-I concentration in healthy men and women, independent of habitual dietary routine.”
