Creatine monohydrate

Samm471
Samm471 Posts: 432 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Can anyone tell me anything about creatine? I was thinking of buying it. I am a newbie to lifting aswell , should I buy it should I not buy it? Will it be a waste of money , has anyone taken it before and what was the outcome? I've heard it bloats you up? Just wondered wether it's worth buying it or not really? Or do you have to be some sort of advanced lifter before you take it or what?

Replies

  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    I'm not a fan of it but others do like it. If you decide to take it make sure you read the instructions and follow them. Some types need a loading phase and you need to take a break after a while to prevent kidney problems.
  • Samm471
    Samm471 Posts: 432 Member
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
    I'm not a fan of it but others do like it. If you decide to take it make sure you read the instructions and follow them. Some types need a loading phase and you need to take a break after a while to prevent kidney problems.

    Wow thats quite off putting
  • sixxpoint
    sixxpoint Posts: 3,529 Member
    edited September 2015
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
    I'm not a fan of it but others do like it. If you decide to take it make sure you read the instructions and follow them. Some types need a loading phase and you need to take a break after a while to prevent kidney problems.

    ^ All of this is rubbish.

    Here are the facts:

    Creatine is a system saturater, which means that it needs to build up in your system over time to notice the benefits. Even so, some people are not responders. If you are a responder, then taking creatine pre-workout, post-workout, or any other special time is inconsequential. It is not like caffeine where it must be taken preworkout to notice benefits. Dose at 3-5 grams per day anytime of day (or on the days that you workout, assuming this is a minimum of 3-4 days per week). If you're interested in Creatine, get unflavored Creapure® Creatine in micronized creatine monohydrate form. This is the purest kind that dissolves the best.

    Also, the bloating issue is blown out of proportion. It is really a non-issue unless you are a pro bodybuilder at sub 8% body fat who needs every bit of vascularity and/or you are abusing the product. Creatine makes your muscles appear fuller because it helps to draw water into your muscles. That does not mean that it causes bloating per se.
  • Mycophilia
    Mycophilia Posts: 1,225 Member
    http://examine.com/supplements/creatine/ has all the information you could ever want about creatine.
  • BrianaDuBois
    BrianaDuBois Posts: 48 Member
    Mycophilia wrote: »
    http://examine.com/supplements/creatine/ has all the information you could ever want about creatine.

    Seconding this link. I was impressed with the amount of information.
    Tbh I don't care about the bloating or lifting benefits. I was just interested in research on creatine and kidneys (I'm a nurse)
    If you have kidney issues, I would err on the side of caution and avoid it. It's notable to add that it probably would be safe, but if I wouldn't risk upsetting a known issue without speaking with a doctor.
  • Yi5hedr3
    Yi5hedr3 Posts: 2,696 Member
    Creatine is one of the safest, and most recommended supplements that actually work. If you do high intensity workouts (most productive), it will make a difference.
  • Samm471
    Samm471 Posts: 432 Member
    Okay cool .. So if you didn't have any kidney problems it would be safe to take? Is it just like an enhancer as in makes you work harder in the gym .. I'm in two minds wether to get it or not
  • Samm471
    Samm471 Posts: 432 Member
    I will have a look at these links too thanks :)
  • Samm471
    Samm471 Posts: 432 Member
    Yi5hedr3 wrote: »
    Creatine is one of the safest, and most recommended supplements that actually work. If you do high intensity workouts (most productive), it will make a difference.

    What about for weight lifting?
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    I tried twice before to take Creatine. I swear it caused bloating. I wasn't even doing a load phase. I tried again about 6 weeks ago; increased my water consumption and fiber intake (to make sure that wasn't a problem this time). I haven't had any of the GI issues this time around. Honestly, my lifts have been much better. Psychosomatic? I dunno.

    I have a friend with Chronic Fatigue. She has been taking Creatine for a year+ and swears that it helps with her energy level.
  • Samm471
    Samm471 Posts: 432 Member
    Okay cool well I think if that's the case I will hold off then .. I thought it was something that made a massive difference but if it's not then no point really. I am new I think my form is okay not amazing like I said I'm pretty new so maybe down the line I can think about taking it
  • piperdown44
    piperdown44 Posts: 958 Member
    I've been taking creatine for about 2 years. Over that time I've been off of it for about 12 weeks at a time. Each time I noticed it took me a little longer to recover from a heavy lifting session. Start taking it again and in just a few weeks time I'm back to recovering way better.
    Creatine is one of the very few over the counter supplements that work. Lots of good solid studies on recovery time out on pubmed that you can review.
  • erimethia_fekre
    erimethia_fekre Posts: 317 Member
    Samm471 wrote: »
    Can anyone tell me anything about creatine? I was thinking of buying it. I am a newbie to lifting aswell , should I buy it should I not buy it? Will it be a waste of money , has anyone taken it before and what was the outcome? I've heard it bloats you up? Just wondered wether it's worth buying it or not really? Or do you have to be some sort of advanced lifter before you take it or what?

    Creatinemonohydrate.net
  • betuel75
    betuel75 Posts: 776 Member
    I do not notice any bloating or definition loss with it. This may vary from person to person though. I take 5g a day. I have lifting gains all the time even with being in a calorie deficit. Not sure if its the creatine or not but since there are no real adverse affects i take it as insurance.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    The bloating thing is much overstated. Its one of the most researched supplements out there and adjudged to be safe. If you have any bad reaction then just use some common sense and stop taking it, but millions have taken it and people who have suffered are few and far between. If you are worried about bloating (theres no reason to be) or it happens then take creatine ethyl ester which doesnt have this potential side effect.

    It should give you small boost in the number of reps you can do and help you recover slightly faster, its a handy but not overwhelming boost. It helps some people more than others. Try it and see, but its not essential especially for a beginner. I use creatine mono and feel it helps but some of it is in my head I think. No bloating for me, bit of extra water(thats part of the way it works) but that goes as soon as you stop taking it.
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