Take your creatine people.

[Gizmo]

I’m sure most of us are aware of the strength training benefits of creatine, although I personally didn’t take it for years thinking it was just another hyped up supplement. Then I started taking it (again) and noticed some pretty good results.

However, that is not why I’m posting this. I noticed that after I started Creatine again my PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) pretty much disappeared. I had about a 1% PVC burden, so nothing life threatening, but extremely annoying. After looking into some Creatine studies I was blown away by the health benefits.

Here is a study that shows a bunch of benefits.

Creatine in Health and Disease - PMC

Although creatine has been mostly studied as an ergogenic aid for exercise, training, and sport, several health and potential therapeutic benefits have been reported. This is because creatine plays a critical role in cellular metabolism, ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[OldManLogan]

Literally no downsides to creatine, and it helps both cognitively as well as physically.

Even the nerdy tech bros are all over it lately for the brain gains…

Really funny walking into my office and seeing the clearly not fit 60 year old CTO with a big old bag of it by his water cooler…

 

[gungalunga]

The only problem I have had in the past with creatine is some stomach/digestion issues. Ths was using monohydrate. Can anyone recommend creatine that is easy on the stomach?

 

[Green Miles]

It kills my stomach!

 

[mexbeast]

The only problem I have had in the past with creatine is some stomach/digestion issues. Ths was using monohydrate. Can anyone recommend creatine that is easy on the stomach?

Were you using enough water? You could try 3gs twice a day mixed into like 16 ounces of liquid. That should help

 

[kadafi2]

The only problem I have had in the past with creatine is some stomach/digestion issues. Ths was using monohydrate. Can anyone recommend creatine that is easy on the stomach?

Have you tried different brands? Just like with protein supplements, there are better and worse quality, some digest very well, others sit in the stomach. It may be similar with creatine. Choose some good quality, taking it after a meal, on a full stomach, or in a post-workout shake mixed with sugars and EAA/protein may also help. Generally, do not take creatine alone. And if that doesn't help, creatine malate may serve you better than monohydrate.

 

[MR. BMJ]

Part 1 from 2022:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1186/s12970-021-00412-w?src=recsys

Accumulating evidence also suggests that creatine supplementation produces a variety of beneficial effects in older and patient populations. Furthermore, evidence-based research shows that creatine supplementation is relatively well tolerated, especially at recommended dosages (i.e. 3-5 g/day or 0.1 g/kg of body mass/day). Although there are over 500 peer-refereed publications involving creatine supplementation, it is somewhat surprising that questions regarding the efficacy and safety of creatine still remain. These include, but are not limited to: 1. Does creatine lead to water retention? 2. Is creatine an anabolic steroid? 3. Does creatine cause kidney damage/renal dysfunction? 4. Does creatine cause hair loss / baldness? 5. Does creatine lead to dehydration and muscle cramping? 6. Is creatine harmful for children and adolescents? 7. Does creatine increase fat mass? 8. Is a creatine ‘loading-phase’ required? 9. Is creatine beneficial for older adults? 10. Is creatine only useful for resistance / power type activities? 11. Is creatine only effective for males? 12. Are other forms of creatine similar or superior to monohydrate and is creatine stable in solutions/beverages?


Part 2, just released:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15502783.2024.2441760?fbclid=IwY2xjawHf15pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHa_XiSbD4Kcg8CMr8aKCTFAWTsfemvxpCcaYY3j3cfgNMOq4g2e57rIvrw_aem_am0zwOtRhO-fdeNkI_qwGA#abstract

As a follow-up, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate additional questions and misconceptions about CrM. These include but are not limited to: 1. Can CrM provide muscle benefits without exercise? 2. Does the timing of CrM really matter? 3. Does the addition of other compounds with CrM enhance its effectiveness? 4. Does CrM and caffeine oppose each other? 5. Does CrM increase the rates of muscle protein synthesis or breakdown? 6. Is CrM an anti-inflammatory intervention? 7. Can CrM increase recovery following injury, surgery, and/or immobilization? 8. Does CrM cause cancer? 9. Will CrM increase urine production? 10. Does CrM influence blood pressure? 11. Is CrM safe to consume during pregnancy? 12. Does CrM enhance performance in adolescents? 13. Does CrM adversely affect male fertility? 14. Does the brain require a higher dose of CrM than skeletal muscle? 15. Can CrM attenuate symptoms of sleep deprivation? 16. Will CrM reduce the severity of and/or improve recovery from traumatic brain injury?

 

[Stewie]

I mentioned this awhile back about potentially decreasing brain phosphocreatine pools with heavy usage of neurostimulants. Would be a good idea to replenish the ole noggin with Cr.

If, in the event we have any meth connoisseurs in the crowd: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3572261/

 

[xpoc]

when i use monohydrate, 100% of the time i will get severe hamstring cramps. and it almost always happens while the wifey and i are having "adult time." talk about going from rager to limpy in the blink of an eye. years ago i switched to krealkalyn and have not had any more cramps, but i also don't think i get the strength gains that I got from monohydrate.

 

[Big A]

It kills my stomach!

If it's quality, it will not.
True, proper quality, pure creatine monohydrate will disolve as soon as it hits the water.
None of that gritty, sandy texture. If does, it's got shit added.

 

[alfresco]

These are the ones my wife takes and I started taking them too. I can see and feel the difference Never taken them before.

Creatine Gummies

High quality supplements with unique formulations that help you tap into your greatness.

www.zhounutrition.com

Thoughts anybody?

 

[SouthernMuscle]

If it's quality, it will not.
True, proper quality, pure creatine monohydrate will disolve as soon as it hits the water.
None of that gritty, sandy texture. If does, it's got shit added.

I have fond memories of that EAS sand. Firmly believe it was adulterated. No other creatine has ever made me feel like I was taking dbol

 

[Knight9]

The only problem I have had in the past with creatine is some stomach/digestion issues. Ths was using monohydrate. Can anyone recommend creatine that is easy on the stomach?

You can try Creapure which is german (micronized) monohydrate. If it was creapure, try regular monohydrate. The only other salt I'd use is Creatine HCL.

 

[psychor]

For those that have had or are experiencing stomach issues with creatine, you may want to try Beverly International Creatine Select. Their products are developed to be as easily digestible as possible.

 

[gungalunga]

I have fond memories of that EAS sand. Firmly believe it was adulterated. No other creatine has ever made me feel like I was taking dbol

Makes you wonder if some of the EAS androstendione ended up in the creatine.
Hey....that's how Mark McGwire got huge....
Right?

 

[SouthernMuscle]

Makes you wonder if some of the EAS androstendione ended up in the creatine.
Hey....that's how Mark McGwire got huge....
Right?

I’ll swear up and down on a stack of bibles that shit was spiked.

Was probably just a lil extra somethin for ol mark on top of everything else

I think all professional athletes should have access to whatever performance enhancing drugs they want.

I would like to see nonstop homers and broken bats, not to mention dugout clearing fights

 

[Y_ASK_Y]

What are some good brands

 

[finephysique]

In my 20 odd years of gear supplements and everything else the only times I have had bad bloodwork was using creatine which put all my kidney values off, I went off it for a few weeks and retested and all was fine again, went back on another creatine supplement and my kidney values all went too high again. Had bloodwork on tren and just about everything else with nothing out of range so I just stay away from creatine as it obviously disagrees with me, also get terrible hamstring and calf cramps on the stuff. My training partner at the time took my big tubs of creatine both times and had no such issues so it’s maybe personal to me but with everything I have done in my life I couldn’t face the irony of them saying “it was the creatine that finished him”

 

[Doitagain]

I have fond memories of that EAS sand. Firmly believe it was adulterated. No other creatine has ever made me feel like I was taking dbol

IIRC at the time Dan Duchaine was working with Bill Philips, not an unlikely hypothesis.

Ultimate Orange was also a bit too good based on the ingredients list.

 

[Gizmo]

In my 20 odd years of gear supplements and everything else the only times I have had bad bloodwork was using creatine which put all my kidney values off, I went off it for a few weeks and retested and all was fine again, went back on another creatine supplement and my kidney values all went too high again. Had bloodwork on tren and just about everything else with nothing out of range so I just stay away from creatine as it obviously disagrees with me, also get terrible hamstring and calf cramps on the stuff. My training partner at the time took my big tubs of creatine both times and had no such issues so it’s maybe personal to me but with everything I have done in my life I couldn’t face the irony of them saying “it was the creatine that finished him”

Elevated creatinine numbers are fairly normal while on Creatine. It is harmless. Studies show Creatine to be safe for kidneys over and over.