Why do pre workout drinks contain creatine and beta-alanine?

[WeekendWarrior]

Since the performance benefits of these supplements are based on dosing consistency not timing, what's the point? Filler?

 

[VolcomX311]

Since the performance benefits of these supplements are based on dosing consistency not timing, what's the point? Filler?

Not really, but I can see why you would think that. Although for optimal reservoirs of creatine and beta alanine in the system may require consistency, creatine and beta alanine also have immediate effects, it may not be optimal in comparison to consistent dosing over a few days, but you'll still get the elevated phosphcreatine levels in the blood from the creatine and the H+ buffering from the elevated carnosine via the beta alanine.

 

[blergs.]

Since the performance benefits of these supplements are based on dosing consistency not timing, what's the point? Filler?

because creatine is good before and after a workout? beta-a should be taken 2-3X a day and build up in system

 

[WeekendWarrior]

Not really, but I can see why you would think that. Although for optimal reservoirs of creatine and beta alanine in the system may require consistency, creatine and beta alanine also have immediate effects, it may not be optimal in comparison to consistent dosing over a few days, but you'll still get the elevated phosphcreatine levels in the blood from the creatine and the H+ buffering from the elevated carnosine via the beta alanine.

So you're saying that a single dose of creatine or beta alanine will result in better performance?

 

[WeekendWarrior]

because creatine is good before and after a workout?

Yeah, not sure what the reasoning is. I don't workout everyday, but I take creatine everyday. So I generally take it at the same time everyday and it works fine. I don't know, doesn't make any sense?

 

[VolcomX311]

So you're saying that a single dose of creatine or beta alanine will result in better performance?

Better than not taking it at all, not as good as if you're taking it regularly, imo. I'm under the impression that you feel creatine/BA are either 0% or 100% effective, 100% being that you've reached a saturation point, but that isn't the case. Once you ingest creatine, the phosphocreatines are in the blood, regardless if the phosphocreatine reservoirs are full. Once ATP breaks down to ADP/AMP as a result of a forceful contraction, the phosphocreatine will still give off it's phosphorus chain to replenish the ATP, as long as there are elevated phosphocreatine in the blood. At what percent efficacy is this going on from a single dose? I don't know, but it's not 0%. Same with Beta Alanine, once digested, it will convert to carnosine and carnosine will buffer H+ ions whether you're at a saturation point or not. At what percent efficacy off a single dose? Again, I don't know, but it won't be 0%. These are chemical reactions that will naturally occur to some degree as long as the proper molecules are readily available in the blood stream.

Me personally, I supplement creatine daily, even if I'm on a pre-workout containing creatine just to make sure I'm getting the most of it and creatine mono is cheap enough where money isn't an issue.

 

[WeekendWarrior]

Better than not taking it at all, not as good as if you're taking it regularly, imo. I'm under the impression that you feel creatine/BA are either 0% or 100% effective, 100% being that you've reached a saturation point, but that isn't the case. Once you ingest creatine, the phosphocreatines are in the blood, regardless if the phosphocreatine reservoirs are full. Once ATP breaks down to ADP/AMP as a result of a forceful contraction, the phosphocreatine will still give off it's phosphorus chain to replenish the ATP, as long as there are elevated phosphocreatine in the blood. At what percent efficacy is this going on from a single dose? I don't know, but it's not 0%. Same with Beta Alanine, once digested, it will convert to carnosine and carnosine will buffer H+ ions whether you're at a saturation point or not. At what percent efficacy off a single dose? Again, I don't know, but it won't be 0%. These are chemical reactions that will naturally occur to some degree as long as the proper molecules are readily available in the blood stream.

Me personally, I supplement creatine daily, even if I'm on a pre-workout containing creatine just to make sure I'm getting the most of it and creatine mono is cheap enough where money isn't an issue.

I agree it's probably better than nothing, but probably not by much, and it still has nothing to do with "pre-workout". Both of the supplements generally take a couple weeks of consistent use to begin seeing good results. If the person believes it is simply for pre-workout then they could actually be missing out on it's value by not taking it daily. I think it comes down to the cheap price of creatine and beta alanine, that's why they are thrown into pre-workout formulas not because they're effective pre-workout.

 

[BrooklynMuscle]

They are effective