As well as having an interesting function on high-intensity performance, creatine also has considerable anabolic power. Being somewhat hydrophilic, in fact, once it enters the muscle it tends to attract water into the muscle. This naturally causes sarcoplasmic hypertrophy (hence the cramps sometimes associated with taking creatine supplements). In addition, creatine supplementation promotes the secretion of the two anabolic hormones IGF-1 (the aforementioned Insulin-like Growth Factor 1) and MGF (Mechano Growth Factor), resulting in the stimulation of muscle stem cells and muscle hypertrophy. Finally, creatine is also believed to play a role in maintaining muscle anabolism under conditions of energy deficit. More specifically, as muscle anabolism needs a lot of chemical energy to express itself, and as the energy level of the cells is low during exercise, the entire anabolic process is suspended in this particular context. Well, creatine would enable this to be reactivated to a greater extent than the simple combination of rest and nutrition can. As for dosage, a loading phase and a maintenance phase are also recommended for anabolism purposes in a similar way to those seen above. Olsen (2006) noted, in the context of a bodybuilding protocol, a 110% increase in the number of satellite cells in four weeks by alternating doses of 24g/day for one week and 6g/day for fifteen weeks. Volek (1999) obtained equally appreciable results by alternating 25g/day for one week and 5g/day for eleven weeks.