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Hey just started using creatine, I've been told by some people, especially the guys trying to sell me the stuff that it really works, its great etc etc. But I asked a nutritonist at the hospital I work at, and she tells me its a load of crap. She says our body has enough creatine in it. Comments??

I suspect she is right. I think a lot of these supplements have a placebo-like effect on performance.

It really does work. I've used it before. I once used it and blew up 10lb while using it in conjunction with a carbohydrate loading phase and I had people were accusing me of being on steroids at the time.

I also notice that I have more endurance to workout harder. It's not very costly, thankfully.

And as far as the nutritionist's comment is concerned. Yes, our bodies make enough for our own bodily functions but to supplement more will create an even more exaggerated effect.

Only problem I've ever had with it is mild cramping in some of my major muscles like quadriceps and chest. Other than that I like to use it from time to time.

I use it whenever I want my face to take on the shape of a basketball.

I've used it and I think the results were negligible. But I did notice I was able to lift heavier and had more endurance. That said, I think the hype over creatine doesn't live up to the reality.

When I use it, I have to pee, a lot. I was afraid that it was affecting my kidneys so I discontinued using it. That's the only side affect I encountered.
So I wasted $21 on a container of the stuff. It was worth a try.

it is recommended to be used with whey protein. and tribulus terrestris is also good to use with it.

muchmorethanmuscle said
Only problem I've ever had with it is mild cramping in some of my major muscles like quadriceps and chest. Other than that I like to use it from time to time.

Make sure you're drinking lots of water. Creatine causes your muscles to suck in water. This makes your muscles look bigger. if there is not enough water to be absorbed, that's where the cramps come in.

Supposedly that's also why it can cause stomach problems if it's not mixed well. Since it "drys out" your stomach. Mix it with warm (room temp) water and let it sit a couple minutes before drinking, to help it dissolve.

Thanks NYCguy74.
I do drink a lot of water. I think that's part of the reason I can easily gain 10lb or more while taking this stuff. I usually drink about a gallon of water a day. It's a habit I've adopted years ago.

I have a question. Is it healthy to consume this stuff?
I'm 19 years old and I do drink a lot of water.

i didn't see a big change with the muscle-building program.

I'm doing it again, so would creatine help me this time?

Creatine is an excellent supplement. i havenet used it for about a year just becasue I have not been able to work out cinsistently, but when i do use it i usually put on about 10- 15 pound, 5 of which normally stays once i cycle off of it.

So, I've started using creatine, I'll keep you posted to see how it works.

I hope it won't harm me or have any serious side effects.

I've used it and I did convince myself that it made a difference, but apparently it can only make a difference if you've been diagnosed as being deficient in creatine.

A guy from my Mum's gym took too much of it, his kidneys failed and now he's on dialysis. Read the directions.

metropolitan saidSo, I've started using creatine, I'll keep you posted to see how it works.

I hope it won't harm me or have any serious side effects.

U shouldnt... just follwo directions and you will be ok.

Hey Guys
i have started using BEVERLYS AMINO ACIDS FORMULA instead of protein shake does that really works????

I tried it and all it did was make me feel sick when working out. Made no difference at all. Remember that bodybuilding existed well before the mass marketing of all these supplements.

It hasn't made any difference and I've been using it for more than a month

Maybe I'm not destined to have huge arms and a pumped chest

metropolitan saidIt hasn't made any difference and I've been using it for more than a month

Maybe I'm not destined to have huge arms and a pumped chest

what kind are u using. muscletech is excellent and the only one i use. also did u go through a loading stage?

At least for me, no effect whatsoever. Plus bloating and digestive distress... Noticeable rather quickly each time I tried the stuff (I tried a few brands over the years), and gone as soon as I stopped it. I think the only thing it did was make me retain water.

I've had a really bad experience with creatine. It worked for me in the beginning -- I saw between 5-7 pounds gain and definitely saw a difference in the mirror. But the effects were short lived and the side effects were quite unpleasant.

I got on this cycle where every 2-3 weeks I would lose all the weight I gained using creatine. I would hit the gym hard and that night, after I went to sleep, I would wake up every 30 minutes and pee -- ALL NIGHT LONG. It was horrible.

Further, when I lost the mass, I became depressed and it was hard to stay positive about working out. I avoid creatine...the gains aren't worth peeing every 30 minutes,

I'm a uni student and pretty much all the supps I buy are either in bulk or the stuff you can mix on your own. For creatine, I find that it does work but you do have to cycle it. 6 weeks on, 2 weeks off? check out bodybuilding.com

I mix it with gatorade as the insulin spike helps Creatine uptake. 5G before and 5G after.

For the supplement efficacy, yes, you can see some gains. Strength and endurance. I'm not aware of any contraindications.

do some digging.

I used to use it regularly and felt it kept me from getting fatigued too soon. But I've been off it now for a couple months, still doing equally intensive workouts, and I can't really feel a dropoff.