Creatine?

[Oblivious]

I'm just curious if anyone has taken Creatine, or if anyone has an opinion about it? I'm considering trying it for the purpose of increasing my muscle tone (not put "bulk" muscle on).

I'm a little paranoid to take something that may effect the kidneys, which I have read is a possibility. I would think if I drank TONS of water with it that would not be in issue? I have also read where many others have taken it with absolutely no side effects.

 

[crYotanK]

I have taken it a few times. It is very important that you drink a lot of water while taking it (at least 3 liters per day!)

Creatine slightly increases strength and pumps your muscles with water (don't worry, u won't look like hulk)

Don't take it for longer than 6 weeks in a row.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creatine

For toning its useless in my opinion because to tone ur muscles u neet to cut the bodyfat first.

Much more important anyways: Train hard and eat plenty but clean.

 

[pej]

last time i took creatine as a supplement in my workout i got a very rapid heart beat. and its kinda hard to breath so before you take any supplements it is wise to consult your doctor about it.

 

[Tallerthanatree]

I'm a little paranoid to take something that may effect the kidneys, which I have read is a possibility. I would think if I drank TONS of water with it that would not be in issue? I have also read where many others have taken it with absolutely no side effects.

There's no conclusive proof that creatine has an effect on the kidneys.

I took it for a while, but it didnt do much for me other than give me water-weight.

 

[LYP]

I've used it in the past, didn't see a big difference in my workout. I did notice the water weight around my mid-section.

 

[Oblivious]

Well, I've been taking Creatine Ester Ethyl for about 4 weeks now. I've notice a slight increase in the "look" of my muscles, but other than that, no big differences in my workouts (as LYP also stated). The Creatine Ester Ethyl claims you won't bloat, and I'd agree with that (in my case anyway) as I have not experienced any bloating.

I will probably continue to take it for another month or so and if I don't see any big improvement, I'll stop.

 

[Godzila]

You should never take Creatine for "the look".

Creatine is an organic acid that has a purpose in recycling Adinosine Diphosphate back into Adinosine Triphosphate.

Creatine WILL NOT give you "the look" you're looking for.

Proper dieting , training, and consistency will.

 

[Yusuf Evans]

Creatine gets a bad rep due to poor or inaccurate information. Creatine is a natural occuring substance and you get creatine from other animals, such as fish and cattle.

Creatine has not been proven to be any more dangerous for you than whey protein; in fact, creatine has been proven in helping decrease fatigue in servicemembers like myself who are constantly on the go in Iraq. It's main purpose is to maintain that "pumped" look in the muscles by retaining water.

While this site may be a little biased, it is informative.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/creatine.html

 

[Waren7]

Make sure you do the loading phase, you want 100-125 grams in 5 days. Loading phase is must for creatine.

 

[Godzila]

^ no its not.

Too much creatine intake in close intervals may prevent its own absorbtion because of the inhibition of transporters.

 

[Waren7]

^ no its not.

Too much creatine intake in close intervals may prevent its own absorbtion because of the inhibition of transporters.

Hey bro, the whole reason of the loading phase is to saturate/top off the muscle creatine stores. If you do not do this your muscle creatine content will not incease, therefore causing little results. Now if you know a better way of doing this then you can tell me.

The major side effect of creatine is increase in body mass because of increased water retention... Creatine is an osmotically active substance after all. After the loading phase if you take more creatine then the body needs it will be excreted as creatinine.

 

[Godzila]

If you're looking to get that "quick pump" , go ahead and do loading phase.

But creatine levels in the body will be filled up over time even taken at maintainence dosage over time.

Creatinine is toxic

 

[Christianirondcom]

I have used it. It works but it puts on water weight and can cause cramping in the muscles. There are newer formulations that are supposed to have less side effects, but my exp. is with old school creatine monohydrate. It does increase strength/stamina.

 

[Waren7]

If you're looking to get that "quick pump" , go ahead and do loading phase.

But creatine levels in the body will be filled up over time even taken at maintainence dosage over time.

Creatinine is toxic

How exactly is creatinine toxic? It's created everyday even if you dont supplement with Creatine, and it goes through the urine from the kidneys... Heck Doctors measure it to see if you have kindney disfunctions. I know there was one study not to long ago that claims its toxic, but it was a very poor study... There are lots of other studies out there staying the opposite.

And I didn't say keep your creatin levels filled up, I said increase your levels. That's what the loading phase does, if you do not increase your stores you will get no benefit from Creatine.

 

[Godzila]

when you're on creatine, you tend to have less urination.

Creatine supplementing would increase your creatinine in your body.

Coupled with the fact that you're urinating less, would mean you're increasing your concentration of creatinine. Besides creatinine, other things are poor for your body, such as ammonia. Just because something is naturally produced from the body , doesn't mean its "natural".

Your body can only have so much of a level of creatine. OVERTIME your body may have higher creatine level stores because of larger bodymass. But loading or not loading creatine doesn't make much difference. Loading is one way to use the supplement faster, and to get results fast.

Same result would occur with more patience.

Building muscle or increasing performance is not about creatine. It more has to do with Eating for ATP , and training for development.

I personally say one would benefit more from BCAA than from Creatine. Different supplement, but better uses.