Complete creatine Profile

[TheGame46]

Creatine

Creatine is probably one of the simplest supplements when it comes to how it works I the body. Your body has one major source of energy, ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This molecule is basically and nucleic acid with 3 phosphate molecules attached to it. The third phosphate makes this molecule have a lot of potential energy in the form of donating one of its phosphates to another molecule. It is these donated phosphates that allow your muscles to work as well any every other process in your body that requires energy. Creatine in the body can be bound to phosphate to form creatine phosphate. Your body naturally stores creatine phosphate so when the ATP uses up one of its phosphates and becomes ATP it can take it from the creatine phosphate and become ATP again. This allows for a quicker replenishment of energy for you to use. Supplementing creatine can gradually increase you natural levels of creatine phosphate.

This means you can work out harder and longer. Increased creatine in the cell also causes the cell to take on more water than normal. This increases weight and size as well. Some theories suggest that the increased water could be anabolic in itself independent of creatine’s biological activity.

So why is there so many different creatines??
It used to be that creatine monohydrate was the best form. Then some companies came out with liquid creatine which was soon discovered to be complete junk because creatine is not very stable in liquid solutions. Then cell-tech was released which is essentially creatine monohydrate with a ton of sugar (dextrose). This caused an insulin spike that would increase the creatine taken up into the muscle as well as sugar and everything else.
Now there are methods out their to increase the creatine uptake without adding 80grams of carbs.

Much like I described in the BCAA thread, the creatine molecule is modified. Creatine ethyl ester can cross the cell membrane against the concentration gradient. This means that the cell does not limit this creatine uptake like it does creatine monohydrate which it essentially regulates just by concentration of salts and water inside vs. outside of cell.
So these modified versions of creatine basically beat mother natures natural regulation of creatine levels allowing for levels above the physiological norm.

Other form of creatine include Kry-Alkylin and Magnesium Creatine Chelate.
These two forms are just creatine monohydrate.

Kry-Alkylin is creatine monohydrate but is made in a basic environment to limit conversion of creatine to its biproduct creatinine. Creatinine in high levels is hard on the kidneys. Your body naturally releases creatinine from its own creatine. I think that the claims these people make on how much conversion there is probably a little over exagerated. But this is probably the most health concious form of creatine, but it is no more effective than plain creatine monohydrate.

The Magnesium creatine chelate is designed to be more stable in the stomache so that it can be uptaken into the blood stream and then maybe taken up into the muscles. This again is no more effective that creatine monohydrate accept you get about a 8% increase in creatine effect with the same dosage. Other forms of Magnesium added to creatine other than chelated to the creatine mlecule actually decrease the effect.

Creatine monohydrate has approximately a 10% absorbtion rate. creatine ehtyl ester has creatin absorption levels in the 90% range.
So if you are gonna buy a creatine product the CEE is far the most effective. I however have found some new studies taht suggest it might be closer to 25-30% for CEE a 2.5-3 X increase in abosrption. still significant though

Effervescent creatine is a waste!!! don't buy those products

[Retro]

Am back on creatine, going to be taking it tomorrow by playing a teaspoonfull in the mouth then using apple juice to wash it down ... is it just me that find when trying to mix it in a bottle of juice .. it only ends up stuck to the sides of the bottle?

[TheGame46]

Originally Posted by Retro

Am back on creatine, going to be taking it tomorrow by playing a teaspoonfull in the mouth then using apple juice to wash it down ... is it just me that find when trying to mix it in a bottle of juice .. it only ends up stuck to the sides of the bottle?

I just spoon it into my mouth and then chase it with juice. Its tasteless and easier that way IMO

[dsade]

What is your source for Creatine Monohydrate absorption rate?

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by TheGame46

I just spoon it into my mouth and then chase it with juice. Its tasteless and easier that way IMO

monohydrate??????

[TheGame46]

Originally Posted by Maxgain

monohydrate??????

Yes that was referring to how I take that.

[TheGame46]

Vennerstrom JL, Miller DW. Creatine Ester Pronutrient Compounds and
Formulations. International publication number WO 02/22 13 5A1, World
Intellectual Property Organization, 2 1 March 2002.
Kreider RB Creatine supplementation: analysis of ergogenic value, medical
safety, and concerns. JEPonhe 1: 1, 1998. Available through
http://www.css.edu/users/tboone2/asep!jan3. htm
Anonymous. Long term safety of oral creatine supplementation, Fact Sheet No. 4.
Provided by CreapureB manufacturer Degussa Bioactives. Available through
http://www.demssa-bioactives.com accessed June 17, 2002.
Poortmans JR, Francaux M. Adverse effects of oral creatine supplementation:
Fact or fiction? Sports A4ed 30: 155-70.
Schilling BK, Stone MH, et al. Creatine supplementation and health variables: A
retrospective study. A4ed Sci Sports Exert 33 : 183-8, 200 1.
Robinson TM, Sewell DA, et al. Dietary creatine supplementation does not affect
some haematological indices, or indices of muscle damage and hepatic and renal
tinction. Br J Sports &led 34:284-8, 2000.
Poortmans JR, Francaux M. Long-term oral creatine supplementation does not
impair renal function in healthy athletes. Med Sci Sports Exert 3 1: 11 OS- 10, 1999.
Waldron JE, Pendlayi GW, et al. Concurrent creatine monohydrate
supplementation and resistance training does not affect markers of hepatic
function in trained weightlifters. JEPonZine 5 : 1, 2002.
Page 7
9. Pritchard NR, Kalra PA. Renal dysfunction accompanying oral creatine
supplements.
Luncet
351:1252-3, 1998.
10. Koshy KM, Griswold, E, Schneeberger EE. Interstitial nephritis in a patient
taking creatine. iVL&i 340:814-S, 1999

It was an old study so the links dont work anymore

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by TheGame46

Yes that was referring to how I take that.

So you take mono after stating how superior the ethyl ester is??????

[TheGame46]

I have taken both. I took prolabs creapure for years before CEE was avialable. I'm not selling anything here so if you still wanna do the mono thats fine with me, just putting the informatino out there.