Creatine FAQ - Page 10

**threenorns** · 22-Jul-05, 08:42 AM

i don't know what to think, since i have no idea what you said...

abear · 22-Jul-05, 12:46 PM

hot off the presses

Ann Pharmacother. 2005 Jun;39(6):1093-6. Epub 2005 May 10.

The effect of creatine intake on renal function.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of creatine supplementation on renal function and estimates of creatinine clearance. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search was conducted (1966-September 2004) using the key terms creatine, creatinine, kidney function tests, drug toxicity, and exercise. Relevant articles were cross-referenced to screen for additional information. DATA SYNTHESIS: Supplementation with creatine, an unregulated dietary substance, is increasingly common in young athletes. To date, few studies have evaluated the impact of creatine on renal function and estimates of creatinine clearance. Because creatine is converted to creatinine in the body, supplementation with large doses of creatine may falsely elevate creatinine concentrations. Five studies have reported measures of renal function after acute creatine ingestion and 4 after chronic ingestion. All of these studies were completed in young healthy populations. Following acute ingestion (4-5 days) of large amounts of creatine, creatinine concentrations increased slightly, but not to a clinically significant concentration. Creatinine is also only minimally affected by longer creatine supplementation (up to 5.6 y). CONCLUSIONS: Creatine supplementation minimally impacts creatinine concentrations and renal function in young healthy adults. Although creatinine concentrations may increase after long periods of creatine supplementation, the increase is extremely limited and unlikely to affect estimates of creatinine clearance and subsequent dosage adjustments. Further studies are required in the elderly and patients with renal insufficiency.

mikeJ · 25-Jul-05, 01:28 AM

"Your muscles may decrease in volume(all part of the water expelling process), but the muscle gains are very real and won't go away"

What does that mean? :confused:

I read it as "you will lose muscle but you will gain muscle" (sorry)

I don't really want to look like those pple at my gym who are "BIG" and arent toned. I wanna get toned...is creatine alright or is it just more for pple who want to increase their strength. BTW money is not an issue for me since I get this stuff for free.

Alejo89 · 25-Jul-05, 06:08 PM

when you are on creatine your muscles contain more water, and when you stop taking it, the water mostly drains out (i guess)

so your muscles will look smaller and more defined but you will not lose strength

i think thats wat hes trying to say

Rats! · 25-Jul-05, 07:19 PM

it means you will lose water, but not muscle mass.

mikeJ · 27-Jul-05, 07:21 PM

on another note...do pple recommend doing the loading period? The first post says that it’s not necessary but is it recommended?

Lift2Live · 28-Jul-05, 10:15 AM

It's only recommended because you will see results sooner than if you start out only doing maintenance doses.

abear · 28-Jul-05, 02:39 PM

you dont have to load. after about a month, you'll be at the same point whether you load or dont load. with loading you'll saturate the muscles sooner, but it all evens out in the end.

so its up to the individual. i stopped loading long ago myself

irvie · 04-Aug-05, 02:46 PM

Hi guys,

A newbie here. I am going to start taking Creatine prolly next week (my order is on its way). Here's what I am planning to do:

Loading: week 1-2 : 20grams/day
Maintenence: 5-10 grams/day

Is this the right way to do? I am 5'8 150lbs.

Another question, is it ok to just (say in loading phase) take 20grams in one time mixing with a glass of water or do I have to spread it out in multiple times per day?

Thanks for your help guys!

abear · 05-Aug-05, 08:15 AM

thats one of the ways to do it. loading helps reach muscle saturation quicker. now you can also take 3-5 grams a day and reach muscle saturation after about a month. at this time, you'll be at the same point whether you load or dont load.

DO NOT TAKE ALL 20 GRAMS IN ONE SHOT!!!!! spread it out

Dr. No · 21-Aug-05, 02:28 PM

Creatine Ethyl Ester?

Revolver · 29-Aug-05, 08:14 AM

I'm pretty new here - I do have a question regarding Creatine, though.

I've heard good things about it from a few friends who have been taking it for a while, and the overall attitude towards it on this forum is definitely positive. I've been thinking about picking some up.

However, a quick search on Yahoo will turn up several of these:

http://www.nutritionalsupplements.co..._0__index.html

http://www.nutritionalsupplements.co...pic.php?t=7750

http://healthandfitness.com/bbs/nutri/messages/300.html

That first link contains links to several other threads complaining of the same problem, a bit further down.

Heart palpitations, heart problems, things such as this - it's not just those two threads complaining about it, either... there are tons of 'em, all over. It seems as though a large number of people have run into those problems - some people suspect that it has to do with alteration of the heart muscle (hypertrophy, wall irregularities, or some sort of thing; I'm really not sure).

Now, I've a history of bad hearts in my family. Nothing when they were young, but a good number of my relatives suffered several heart attacks a bit later in life (late forties or older). I'm still in my early 20s, but this really puts me on edge with creatine.

I know that it's naturally produced by the body - but in most people, it's produced in FAR smaller amounts than what one would supplement with.

On the other hand, I'd really like to give creatine a shot. I'm pretty torn on this. Any advice, opinions, facts, or whatever, would be greatly appreciated.

Revolver · 29-Aug-05, 08:26 AM

I should probably should've also mentioned, as it might be relevent: when I was a child, I suffered from a somewhat minor heart murmur (had to always take penicillin before seeing a dentist, that sort of thing...) which I THINK (I stress the "THINK") has ceased.

**.V.** · 29-Aug-05, 11:14 AM

OK, one more creatine question.

I've been using 10g creatine most days, 5g morning and 5 g evening (on advice of a physician who is a great BB). Spiking after workouts dextrose/creatine.

I'm tired, worn out, getting weak and taking a break. I don't want to lose my strength during the break or have to re-load with creatine. Should I go ahead and keep using it even though I'm not lifting for at least the next week - or just stop until my break is over?

Thanks for any help here.

**Todd** · 29-Aug-05, 03:09 PM

Yes, you will want to suppliment with your creatine and protein, even tho you won't be working out on your break. The only thing I would change is not using simple carbs with your creatine to create that "spike", since you are not working out. Mix plain creatine monohydrate in water or with your protein shake and get your creatine that way...but no need for the simple carb spike when not working out.

Other than that, make sure you still are taking in enough protein at each of your meals throughout each day (protein shakes included if need be), and make sure you still are taking in enough water. Just because you are not working out, does not mean you should not take your supplements.....your body is still growing muscle, adapting and craving nutrients during this time off, so give it what it needs so it can use this time to grow and become stronger. Many times you will come back stronger and bigger than before your break, as long as you eat enough of the right foods and supplement intelligently.

Good luck and have fun on your "time off". Take the time off to do other things you enjoy and analyze your progress and make new goals for when you return. Your motivation will be higher than ever when you return and this time off will only do your body and mind extremely good.