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Old 21-11-07, 07:53 AM
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CarlK CarlK is offline
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oh wow - the dramatic misinformation of the web - gotta love it.

Can i be really clear here about creatine.

Creatine enhances ATP and water storage in the muscle fibers. ATP is used in muscle contraction, hence the more ATP the more & stronger contractions you may be able to make. Most athletes deplete their ATP stores regularly through training and never really cary their max load of ATP. Creatine supplementation reloads this. So athletes report 2-5 extra repetitions of weights 10-20% heavier in their initial loading phase of supplementation.

Read here for another opinion
read here for the science

Water or hydration is the other benefit of creatine use - muscle hydration benefits strength - yes thats right, the cheapest and easiest way to get stronger is to drink lots of water. A super hydrated muscle cell is much stronger than a dehydrated cell. It's also less prone to injury or damage, more flexible and can recover faster - i'll be controversial here - water is natural.

Creatine attracts water into the muscle cells. Hence the possible side effects of dehydration in other parts of the body particularly kidney function - so you must drink lots & lots of water when supplementing with creatine.

Creatine is a favorite of strength athletes due to the strength gain, of bodybuilders due to the extra size gain (makes you 'smooth' though) but not so great with endurance athletes. Why? Hydration, extra weight and no need for more power.

Caffeine reduces the effects of creatine - and dehydrates you further.

Creatine is not a drug and does not enhance you on a hormonal level - eg, no added testosterone. So you didn't get aggressive because of extra ATP.
You may have enhanced testosterone due to increased training load, training mindset etc. But not creatine.

All in all, IMO, creatine should not be characterized as a secret, dramatic, 'juice-like' supplement. If you've ever compared a 'normal' athlete supplementing creatine, with a 'steroid' using athlete you will know that the comparison is laughable - like day & night. Creatine can never replicate anabolic steroid use. So don't even think it.
Hope that calms the drama & sensationalism.

ps, don't prawns glow due to another phosphate naturally present in them?
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