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View Full Version : Creatine, Whats the real word?


DaveSavesTheDay
12-12-2005, 08:59 PM
Most of you should know what creatine is, but for those of you who don't..

Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that naturally occurs in vertebrates and helps to supply energy to muscle cells.

There is scientific evidence that taking creatine supplements can marginally increase athletic performance in high-intensity, anaerobic exercise. Ingesting creatine can increase the level of phosphocreatine in the muscles up to 20%. An additional study (Rae et al, 2003) suggests increased mental capabilities as a result of oral intake of creatine over a 60 day period.

Current studies indicate that short-term creatine supplementation in healthy individuals is safe (Robinson et al., 2000), and a long term study suggests the same thing (Mayhew & Ware, 2002).

In the past, there have been many reports of excessive cramping caused by creatine supplementation. However, there is no direct link to creatine use and muscle cramping or pulls, and research shows that creatine doesn’t impair heat regulation during exercise. Results from a study done at the University of Memphis showed no reports of muscle cramping in subjects taking creatine-containing supplements during various exercise training conditions. Among the test subjects were elite junior swimmers, college football players, and trained and untrained endurance athletes. (Kreider R, et al, 1998)

Creatine use is not considered doping and is currently acceptable to all sports-governing bodies

SOURCE : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creatine#Function

I just wanted to know if people could give me some sort of input into the whole topic, hopfully pseaking from personal experience.

Thanks. :thumb:

Cybergasm
12-12-2005, 09:58 PM
I tell all of my "clients" who are 21 and under to stray away from creatine. You do not need it! Your body produces enough, especially when you are that young. Also too much of it can have affects on your liver, pancreas, and other organs.

It is also VITAL that you do not miss alot of doses. Varying creatine levels can be dangerous.

humbucking fool
12-13-2005, 12:33 AM
Cybergasm's got it right.

Also, alot of kids I've seen start taking it, then lose interest/take a summer off, and that creatine turns into alot of weight...I think it's water weight, but it does you no good either way if you stop working out for an extended period, in addition to the dangers of varying doses. At younger ages...protein and weights should be more than enough for bulk and normal conditioning gives a young athlete good enough endurance. From my experience...it didn't help much.

When I was a budding hockey player, I started taking it to get an edge because Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were having their magical season of 98 (HUUUGE Cubs fan). Took it gfor about 6 months because they did thinking I'd get huge muscle gains...not really so. It didn't do much for me, and I encourage the young guys I come into contact with to just drink lots of water, get enough protein, and hit the weights hard.

CaptainWaits
12-13-2005, 09:58 AM
I'm glad I've seen this thread, cause I've really been considering creatine these days, whil I weightlift. But I've talked to my gym trainer, and he said there's no real long term affect it will do to help you. Just say if you wanted to get real big for a competition a couple of weeks away, you could go on a creatine run, and it will help you. But I was thinking it would help me build muscle for these next few months of off-season football training, but really it won't do much but give me extra water-weight.

nowitzki
12-13-2005, 12:49 PM
Personally I'd say if you are serious and dedicated to your training then creatine will give you an extra boost that you wouldn't be able to acheive otherwise.
Within a week of me starting to use it I was already getting comments about how much I was looking in great shape.
I have seen no studies that conclude that it is in anyway dangerous to your health if taken correctly. The only thing you might notice is that you have to drink more water each day.