Creatine

[Kanobi]

Anybody use it? If so , what brand and specific product? How much and often do you take it?

[AnArtofWar]

Re: Creatine

I am just starting to use it. But from what I have found, it sounds like it is best to get a cheap creapure brand. Since I haven't started using it yet, not sure about what I am going to do with it...I know people do loading and maintenance phases but that can be costly...otherwise I think it is recommended to take it 5g a day. I am using Prolab Creatine Monohydrate.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Creatine

What ever you do, don't take a lot of it. That stuff has very harmful side effects to it if you take too much of it. I know about a dozen people who permanently messed their bodies up from taking too much creatine back in the day when we were in high school and college.

[12]

Re: Creatine

Anybody use it? If so , what brand and specific product? How much and often do you take it?

I used to use Cell Tech... It works, but you have to be pretty dedicated about working out.

I might use it again in the future... We'll see.

[12]

Re: Creatine

What ever you do, don't take a lot of it. That stuff has very harmful side effects to it if you take too much of it. I know about a dozen people who permanently messed their bodies up from taking too much creatine back in the day when we were in high school and college.

Agree with this. I'm not overly knowledgeable about the stuff, but I'd think that moderation is the key. They have a "loading phase" where you take a lot at the beginning... I always skipped that. It just seemed like a way to make me go through the canister faster so I'd have to buy more. I took about half of the recommended amount but only did it for about two months.

Overall, my gains and strength increase was pretty noticeable to me. But I'd definitely put an emphasis on moderation. I am sure someone who is more versed in supplements can add more, but I don't think we're wrong here.

[Kanobi]

Re: Creatine

I know about a dozen people who permanently messed their bodies up from taking too much creatine back in the day when we were in high school and college.

What happened?

[Kanobi]

Re: Creatine

I am just starting to use it. But from what I have found, it sounds like it is best to get a cheap creapure brand. Since I haven't started using it yet, not sure about what I am going to do with it...I know people do loading and maintenance phases but that can be costly...otherwise I think it is recommended to take it 5g a day. I am using Prolab Creatine Monohydrate.

That's what i was thinking of doing...using the basic powder and just 5g with some juice immediately after my nightly workout.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Creatine

Some ended up with kidney damage and others ended up with heart problems due them to having silent heart attacks and them not knowing about it. So moderation is key.

If you don't have time to burn that stuff out of your system, don't take it. You got to work that stuff off.

[ryan36]

Re: Creatine

It was all the rage when I was in HS, and was "perfectly safe, your body makes the stuff anyway" etc...I always stayed away from it, and now it looks like I was right

[TracerBullet]

Re: Creatine

Some ended up with kidney damage and others ended up with heart problems due them to having silent heart attacks and them not knowing about it. So moderation is key.

If you don't have time to burn that stuff out of your system, don't take it. You got to work that stuff off.

My senior year of high school (08-09) one of my friends took too much of it. We found him passed out in the bathroom I believe do to kidney problems. Docotrs told him to never take the stuff again.

[NYJets]

Re: Creatine

I'm sure you can do some damage if you take way too much of it, but that's true with almost anything. From what I've read and experienced, if you follow the directions you will be fine. Usually that means 5 grams a day. Loading isn't required but it helps get you results faster, and while it's a little more expensive, creatine is dirt cheap anyway. Just follow the directions and drink a lot of water, which you should be doing anyway if you are working out.

[Jonesy]

Re: Creatine

I'm sure you can do some damage if you take way too much of it, but that's true with almost anything. From what I've read and experienced, if you follow the directions you will be fine. Usually that means 5 grams a day. Loading isn't required but it helps get you results faster, and while it's a little more expensive, creatine is dirt cheap anyway. Just follow the directions and drink a lot of water, which you should be doing anyway if you are working out.

yeah but the risk isn't worth the reward imo. It's not like some miracle steroid that will turn you into Arnold overnight. Why risk your health for something that doesn't provide dramatic results if one of the main the reasons you are working out in the first place is to improve your health.

If you want more creatine (ie amino acid-based compound) in your system eat more red meat and fish.

At the end of the day it's your body and if you want to do it go for it but i'd stick with a protein rich diet and post workout carbs/protein shakes and maybe a good multi and that's all you really 'need' imo.

[CeltBhoy33]

Re: Creatine

I'm sure you can do some damage if you take way too much of it, but that's true with almost anything. From what I've read and experienced, if you follow the directions you will be fine. Usually that means 5 grams a day. Loading isn't required but it helps get you results faster, and while it's a little more expensive, creatine is dirt cheap anyway. Just follow the directions and drink a lot of water, which you should be doing anyway if you are working out.

Never load unless you do it properly, drink stuff like Gatorade with it. You also need a ton cardio. If you don't do both of those you're wasting your money and peeing it all out. I take 5 grams a day but I take Jack3d before hand which has i think 2.5 grams and in between I take WAR, and after I take mass XXX by gnc, then for meals I take Prime, for bed time I take some good ole Casein protein and for snacks I'll have some of the Gold Why standard strawberry isolate protein.

[NYJets]

Re: Creatine

yeah but the risk isn't worth the reward imo. It's not like some miracle steroid that will turn you into Arnold overnight. Why risk your health for something that doesn't provide dramatic results if one of the main the reasons you are working out in the first place is to improve your health.

If you want more creatine (ie amino acid-based compound) in your system eat more red meat and fish.

At the end of the day it's your body and if you want to do it go for it but i'd stick with a protein rich diet and post workout carbs/protein shakes and maybe a good multi and that's all you really 'need' imo.

From all the research I have done, there is very little risk. I've never heard of anyone using it properly and having any issues. If you take too much, than yea, but I think you would have to take waaaaay too much to have serious issues. Biggest issue most people have is cramps, and that's from not drinking enough water.

Not talking about people in this thread, but I think part of the reason it gets a bad rap is people confuse it with other supplements. When I've told people I was using it, I've heard "Isn't that the stuff that McGwire got in trouble for?" or "Isn't that what killed that pitcher?"

But yes, it's not a miracle drug and it's not necessary. If it wasn't so cheap I wouldn't bother with it, but it does help my endurance levels during workouts.

[Jonesy]

Re: Creatine

So it basically from what i understand makes you retain more water in the muscle doesn't it? Supposedly leads to quicker recovery times and slightly more energy.

I have used it myself years ago briefly (a buddy gave me half a tub that he didn't want) but i didn't do any research into it and didn't find it made any difference at all for me personally. Like is said bud it's your body and if you feel it helps and don't feel there are any risks go for it.