Using Creatine for Energy and Muscle mass

antSionnach

Im sure Im not the first person to bring this up here but the search button didnt hit any thing so here goes...

Do any of you use creatine? I use it in the powder form (black jar) cant remmeber name. Ive used it since I was in 5th year on and off. I play rugby and Ive always been told its not harmful, and have found it to be very very effective. I know people in general have been shunning its use but I thought this was just superstition or something until recently my sisters boyf (hes a doctor) told me that he didnt think it is necessary and said that it may be linked to cardia arrythmia?

Ive read up on it since and people dont really seem to be sure. I am interested to know what people on here think about it.

Chucky the tree

There hasnt been any evidence linking it be dangerous when taken correctly.

yomchi

antSionnach wrote:

Im sure Im not the first person to bring this up here but the search button didnt hit any thing so here goes...

Do any of you use creatine? I use it in the powder form (black jar) cant remmeber name. Ive used it since I was in 5th year on and off. I play rugby and Ive always been told its not harmful, and have found it to be very very effective. I know people in general have been shunning its use but I thought this was just superstition or something until recently my sisters boyf (hes a doctor) told me that he didnt think it is necessary and said that it may be linked to cardia arrythmia?

Ive read up on it since and people dont really seem to be sure. I am interested to know what people on here think about it.

What a doctor doesn't know about nutrition can kill you - as the old saying goes. Creatine is a naturally occuring amino compound comprising of 3 amino acids. It is found in the likes of red meat. Used with high intakes of water it has been found to increase muscle mass and endurance/recovery. To date there have been no records of anyone taking ill from using creatine, and its been around for decades!

iregk

Its also quite common for people to mix protein and creatine suppliments. Not at the same time but a protein shake when you wake up and before work out, creatine after work out to help recovery and protein before bed. The only thing a lot of people dont like about creatine is that it puts on a lot of weight thats not muscle build.

yomchi

iregk wrote:

The only thing a lot of people dont like about creatine is that it puts on a lot of weight thats not muscle build.

It does? I've never came across that before. Creatine is not calorie dense it has the same amount of calories as a gram of protein - 4. it is an amino compound (AGM). It basically works by drawing water into the muscle, each molocule of creatine will act by attaching itself to the cell of the muscle, for monohydrate an insulin spike was needed to help the cell absorb it, for ethyl ester the creatine molocule completely wraps itself around the cell and hence better absorbtion. Creatine will not make you fat.

Smellyirishman

I think he is getting at the idea that creatine just fills your muscles with water and so it is not really more muscle, just more bulge. I don't know much about it though, so I will stay out of any debate!

iregk

No i didn't mean it makes you fat. Basically the line smelly is going on. it does ad to bulk and it does help in muscle build but it does draw a lot of water as well and produce more bulge.

Patto

I've been cycling on and off the stuff for the past six months. I'm thinking about going off it completely. I think the difference it makes is marginal and in terms of playing field sports, the extra couple of pounds it adds is a hinderence. I'm going to test my theory. I know creatine once saturated in the muscles remains saturated for 21 days. How much longer after this initial 21 days does it take for the creatine levels in your muscles to return to normal i.e. as if you never took creatine?

LovelyHurling

i know that people say its not true, and possibly it could be because i was doing more physical work? but i did find that my muscles cramped up way more when i used it.

yomchi

iregk wrote:

No i didn't mean it makes you fat. Basically the line smelly is going on. it does ad to bulk and it does help in muscle build but it does draw a lot of water as well and produce more bulge.

Gotcha, but to be honest if you wanna get big muscle a bulge is what your after!

I've been cycling on and off the stuff for the past six months. I'm thinking about going off it completely. I think the difference it makes is marginal and in terms of playing field sports, the extra couple of pounds it adds is a hinderence. I'm going to test my theory. I know creatine once saturated in the muscles remains saturated for 21 days. How much longer after this initial 21 days does it take for the creatine levels in your muscles to return to normal i.e. as if you never took creatine?

For sports that need sudden burst of energy like sprinting/field sports creatine plays a role in creating more ATP, which the body uses for those sudden explosive moves or runs, when the body runs out of ATP it dips into creatine stores to make more. You do not need to be a weight lifter to use creatine to be honest.

i know that people say its not true, and possibly it could be because i was doing more physical work? but i did find that my muscles cramped up way more when i used it

Im not sure, as I've not come across this type of reaction. How was your water intake while you were on it?

Patto

Patto wrote:

I know creatine once saturated in the muscles remains saturated for 21 days. How much longer after this initial 21 days does it take for the creatine levels in your muscles to return to normal i.e. as if you never took creatine?

Anyone?

Dragan

Patto wrote:

Anyone?

tbh any numbers given would really be hypotheical....would depend a lot on base ATP levels without supplementation, and also what activities were performed, for what duration, and at what intensity.