Creatine is an amino acid made in the liver and stored in the muscles of the body. It is essential to the creation of adensine triphosphate molecules (ATP), considered the primary carriers of energy that the body uses in physical activity. Several studies have determined that supplementation with creatine monohydrate can enhance athletic performance by accelerating the rate of re-synthesis of ATP during and after high-intensity, short-duration exercise. This translates into greater gains in muscle mass, strength, and sprint performance during intense athletic training.

The many scientific studies of creatine published over the past five years have found no deleterious effects or medical risk. While there have been some isolated anecdotal reports of negative side effects, such as decreased sexual functioning, there appears to be no credible evidence challenging its safety.

One concern some researchers have is that with continuous supplementation the body might decline in its ability to produce creatine on its own. Some indirect evidence of this was found in a study with rats. The study examined the "creatine transporter protein" which is responsible for uptake of creatine into cells, and is a key in the regulation of cellular creatine homeostasis. Researchers found that chronic supplementation with creatine in rats down-regulated their natural production of creatine transporter protein.

Another issue concerns the other ingredients that accompany creatine in various supplement products. You should compare labels of competing brands carefully to determine whether you feel comfortable with the other ingredients.

Although no risks from creatine supplementation in humans have yet been found, we won't know about any long-term effects for some time to come because the record of research is relatively recent. A conservative approach is to plan to use creatine only for limited periods before taking a substantial break from it so the body can re-set to normal functioning.

Quote from CNN

This post has been edited by v1rtual: Jan 28 2008, 11:55 PM

Negative Creatine Side Effects

No serious side effects from creatine have ever been recorded in research. A common misconception is that creatine is an abusive steroid-like substance that can kill you. With a little education, most people can realize the falsity of their claims.

The most common negative side effect is an increase in water weight. An increase in water weight can make you appear to be bloated. It will look like you just got done eating Christmas dinner. And because your muscle will retain more water, they might feel softer to the touch. Your muscles will still be hard and impressive to a normal person, but after you rest for a few hours and try to flex, your muscles might not be as rock hard. There are possibly other unknown negative side effects associated with creatine, but due to a lack of research there isnt much available.

Another negative side effect of creatine is when you get off the cycle. If you take creatine for 4 months and then stop taking it, you will notice a sharp decrease in your energy level and appearance. Your body might deflate slightly as you lose the excess water weight.

This post has been edited by v1rtual: Jan 22 2008, 01:01 PM

Positive Creatine Side Effects

Now onto the good stuff. Do you ever feel fatigued or tired? Do you wake up and decide you dont want to work out because you are too tired to lift weights or go run? Well, if you answered yes to any of these questions then creatine is for you. Creatine is an energy booster. Itâeuro(tm)s not like drinking coffee or an energy drink, by taking daily creatine supplements your body will get used to having more energy throughout the day, leaving you enough energy to wake up, hit the gym, and provide that boost you need to lift an additional rep.

Another positive side effect of creatine is how it will make you look bigger. I am assuming that is a look you want if you are reading this blog. When you take creatine your body retains more water, making you look fuller. It will make your chest and arms appear to be bigger because of the water in the muscles.

By taking creatine you will be able to work out longer and lift more reps than usual. This is a very positive benefit of taking the supplement. You will gain weight (some water weight but most muscle weight). If you are a skinny person now and are looking to bulk up, then it is highly recommended that you take creatine along with other supplements to help speed along the process. Not only will you increase your weight rapidly, but you will gain more confidence as you watch your body bulk up.

If you take creatine and begin experiencing any serious negative side effects (Im talking about chest pains or something), I recommend that you stop taking it immediately and consult a physician. Overall creatine can be a very safe and productive supplement. It is one of the few out there that have little to no negative side effects.

and the point of this thread is?

im planning to take creatine supplement
but just want to know what people can really feel when taking creatine and after stopped taking it for few months
heard lots of story about we will get weaker and muscle become soft if we stop

This post has been edited by v1rtual: Jan 22 2008, 01:10 PM

u just posted the stuff that answers ur question. creatine is a source of ATP cells in ur muscle. ATP is the source of strength.. creatine doesn't make u stronger but it makes ur muscle more durable, last long, can hit extra few reps.

creatine makes ur muscle look bigger because it increases water retension in your muscle. its bigger but not harder.

after u stop taking creatine every is back to normal. u wont be able to hit extra reps, ur muscle wont be bigger, ur muscle wont be softer. case closed

In any given group there will be a percentage who go impotent no matter what.

I could do a study with 10,000 people drinking water and there'll be a group complaining of "such as decreased sexual functioning".

Life is short, do whatever you want. If it happens it happens.

therefore why bother to take then.

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Added on January 22, 2008, 3:56 pmclinical trial/study doesnt work that way.

This post has been edited by youngkies: Jan 22 2008, 03:56 PM

because creatine will really help much with the mucle growth

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Added on January 22, 2008, 3:56 pm

i will have to agree with that too

This post has been edited by v1rtual: Jan 22 2008, 06:12 PM

dude. CREATINE WILL NOT HELP WITH MUSCLE GROWTH. your sleep and your diet will.

Sometimes doing less is actually doing more.


Rest = Growth


eh jones..you're working already? you're....20 this year?

as in when we consume creatine, we can carry heavier
that will makes muscle bigger faster rite
and rest more, it will become perfect

This post has been edited by v1rtual: Jan 22 2008, 07:31 PM

This is a pointless thread which would result into pointless & endless discussions.

yaya. working temporary

u wont be able to carry heavier with creatine. carry more weights doesn't mean u'll grow bigger muscle omg.

stimulation for hypertrophy is not the physical weight u r lifting, its the stress u r putting on your muscle taht stimulates hypertrophy. u need to read a lot more

thanks for your help
i will start reading a lot more
is there any good links that you can suggest me??

why bother to take if the risk is more than the benefit. not to account if it is effective not.

creatine can be obtained from dietary like fish and meat. eat properly and you wont need extra unnecessary supplement.

Absolute causation cannot be established unless there is 100% isolation of the variable in question. That is impossible to do.

which is better, to consume creatine a few hours before taking protein
or mix whey protein and creatine together??

This post has been edited by v1rtual: Jan 27 2008, 11:33 PM

Creatine DOES work. Yes, there is water retention that gives you a pump that will even last for a couple of days if you've been loading it. Yes, it replenishes your ATP so that you can keep those high-intensity workouts in the anaerobic zone a bit longer.

But the major advantage of its "water retention" function is electrolyte transport. Whacking whey protein mixed with creatine will improve the transport of protein to your muscle cells and helps maintain a positive nitrogen balance.

Also, a constant "pump" will exert continuous tension on your muscle cells and for beginners, will promote satellite cell differentiation into myoblasts. Satellite cell differentiation and hyperplasia is far, far more beneficial that the usual hypertrophy gained from regular juicing-up on protein shakes or from steroids (yes, the gain from steroids is just hypertrophy, that's why when you come off a cycle, you only get to retain 30% to 50% of your gains).

I've benefited from creatine, and I know many other pals who have as well.

thanks for your good response
after 3 days of the loading base, i can finally feel the difference today
i was there for 3 hours and yet i feel that i can still push my self harder
i stopped because my friend was all tired

before taking creatine, i was in the gym for 2 - 2 1/2 hours and yet, my body is all tired

This post has been edited by v1rtual: Jan 29 2008, 12:02 AM