why does "cycling" on creatine sound like "cycling" on steriods?

[edubz]

I am 28 years old, about 170, and I for the most part have been all natural my whole life, just taking protien shakes after I work out.

I want to expirment with creatine this summer, and I am researching on just how to take this.

I read something here

Creatine: Beyond the Confusion - Part II

which states

The common practice for taking creatine is to "load" creatine for five to seven days, then continue to take a "maintenance" amount indefinitely. For example, most supplement manufacturers recommend 20 grams of creatine be taken in five-gram servings for five to seven days followed by five grams per day after that.

ok, then it says

Dr. Serrano's Recommendations:

Week 1 .35g of creatine per kg of bodyweight Week 6.35g of creatine per kg of bodyweight
Week 2-4 .15g of creatine per kg of bodyweight Week 7.15g of creatine per kg of bodyweight
Week 5 Off
Week 8-10 Off


Although I have no scientific evidence to prove Dr. Serrano's system is better, I believe that using body weight and cycling creatine is more beneficial than the standard 20g-load/5g maintenance protocol. Obviously, a 250-pound muscle-head requires more creatine than a 105-pound bikini model.


now I am wondering, which is better, to cycle on and off, or to just keep taking the creatine "forever"?

The article says to mix creatine with sugar?? (sugar makes fat right?)

I am scared to take this stuff, as I already have enough energy to work out, all I am looking for is to gain muscle and keep the fat off

also, what is the highest quality creatine that a person can take? the good stuff

 

[forum9351]

Those are some pretty good questions. First off, there is a lot of controversy in the topic of cycling creatine. I don't cycle it because there is nothing conclusive about any negative effects of not cycling it. Some cycle, some don't. Creatine and sugar: people will mix creatine with sugar to increase absorbance. I'm not sure how much of an insulin effect that will have but I will tell you that the monohydrate creatine I take has some mono and di saccharides mixed it it. Don't be scared to take creatine. it's a great thing to supplement. The only negative side effect I can think of is dehydration. Drink your water and you will be fine. As far as highest quality, give creatine monohydrate a go and if that's no good try ethyl creatine. The only thing that matters is the creatine molecule itself.

 

[Arnold]

some believe that you need to load to saturate the cells, I don't.

some believe you need to cycle on and off, I don't.

if you're suing creatine monohydrate "sugar" increases absorption, if you use CEE - Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL there is no need.

 

[edubz]

some believe that you need to load to saturate the cells, I don't.

some believe you need to cycle on and off, I don't.

if you're suing creatine monohydrate "sugar" increases absorption, if you use CEE - Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL there is no need.

I am curious as to see what memebers have tried what for the best results.

I am going to start taking creatine this summer. Basically, I plan to load up for 5 days, while I work out hard, and then 5 grams a day after that.

my question is when I am loading, when should I take this creatine? In the morning? 20 or more of creatine a day is a little under an ounce. In the morning? during the day? should I just drink 20 grams at once?

 

[forum9351]

I would not load. 5g is a great amount to supplement daily. There have been some threads regarding the loading issue, you can do a search on this site for some previous creatine threads that have good information.
Take it roughly 15 minutes before you train and afterwards (meaning 2.5 grams before and 2.5 afterwards).

 

[soxmuscle]

Cycling on creatine sounds like cycing on steroids because the word "cycle" is in both of them.

 

[NordicNacho]

my friend used creatine in high school and now he has cancer and he is bald, and his balls got smaller, and he grew breasts

 

[Smoo_lord]

bad luck to your friend, but im sure you know that is not a direct result of creatine supplementation.... otherwise the medical industry and asossiated drug and food corporations would have and interesting case study/model to answer to..

Moral of the story is, some sources say load, others dont. some say yes, some say no. I say potato, you say potatoe..

try the shit for yourself, you dont like then dont do.. simple as that

me i just use the 3-5g daily in a shake PWO, and non workout days just take that same amount with water in the AM. Havent died from it yet !!

 

[Triple Threat]

my friend used creatine in high school and now he has cancer and he is bald, and his balls got smaller, and he grew breasts

 

[AKIRA]

I dont think Ive ever had this answered..

If creatine mono requires one to drink some sort of sugar enriched drink for it to work + gives some people bloating feelings, why would anyone do mono over ethyl ester. Are there any pros or cons of both?

 

[NordicNacho]

no studies on ethyl ester. all have been done on mono so i'll stick with what works for me

 

[edubz]

Cycling on creatine sounds like cycing on steroids because the word "cycle" is in both of them.

yes, but I never heard of someone "cycling" on protein or supplements, it makes more sense to take creatine as a supplement then eating almost an ounce of day of the stuff.