creatine cycle?

[estock66]

I overheard some guys talking about how they cycle creatine. I just take the stuff on upperbody days (twice a week) while they keep a constant supply. They also take it for 2 months then quit for a few weeks. meanwhile, i've been taking two servings a week since last july. Am I not using creatine effectively?

[.V.]

Creatine is just a substance found in red meat that helps transport water into the muscle cells. With the water goes nutrients. Cell "fullness" also helps the muscle be stronger, allowing you to lift more weight there by getting bigger and stronger still.

It is "used up" during intense workouts and it can be beneficial to replace it.

I personally use 5-10g after each workout, none on non lifting days. You don't need it if you didn't do anything especially strenuous or heavy.

As far as the cycling goes, that's really not needed. Some feel that it becomes less effective with continued use so they stop and restart usage. Is it actually becoming less effective or are the muscles just loaded enough that they don't become deficient on it anymore so it doesn't do any good?

I don't feel that cycling it is really needed. If you eat red meat, you probably don't need it.

If you want to use it, just take it with some sugar to get an insulin carrier to take it into the muscles. Use it after you workout to replish what you used up and you'll be fine. Or don't use it...you'll still be fine.

Note CEE doesn't need the sugar, but I've never tried it so don't know much aboutit.

Oh yeah, if you take too much it will be excreted in the urine, not sore up and cause a creatine rage like the old lady at walmart warned me about.

[thonaker]

Let's not forget that when you cook meat there is less available amounts of creatine. At least this is my understanding.

Troy

[.V.]

Originally Posted by thonaker

Let's not forget that when you cook meat there is less available amounts of creatine. At least this is my understanding.

Troy

You cook meat?

That's sick.

[Maxgain]

you wont be getting benefits from just taking it 2 days a week you wont maintain saturation

[thonaker]

Yeah, I'm one of those sicko's that cooks meat.

Actually, some people do not cook meat. I thought about it, feeling that it may be healthier not to cook it, because of enzyme and nutrient retention, among other possible benefits.

I haven't taken the plunge to actually really try it out.

Troy

[4STRINGS]

Originally Posted by Maxgain

you wont be getting benefits from just taking it 2 days a week you wont maintain saturation

True. In fact most people go through a loading phase. Which is basically loading up on creatine and saturating your cells with creatine during the first week.

I just started my cycle of creatine last week. I take 5g before a workout and 5 after.
This week im gunna just start taking 5g regularly with my post workout protein shake.

[mesomorph]

There has just been a study here in Australia that strongly supports taking a combination creatine/WPI post workout. Check out Paul Cribbs study using bodybuilders (not mice or untrained men)