Mkpaint
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Worth taking or waste of money?
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Worth taking or waste of money?
best way to take? what to expect from it?
I've never found much benefit in loading. If I take extra at all in the beginning I only take double. Taking quadruple is a waste imho.
Creatine is naturally manufactured in the liver and is transported to the muscles via circulatory system. Than creatine is transformed into phosphocreatine and is stored in the muscle (CP-creatine phosphate).
CP is used in regeneration of ATP (Adenosine Tri Phosphate-energy source).
Since ATP is the basis of all growth, and CP is the basis of ATP regeneration...do the math. I would run it all year round. You can also expect slight increase in strength.
Creatine also benefits much other stuff, but I'll leave reading chemistry books to you.
For the first 5-7 days take 5g four times a day (5g in the morning, 5g 5-6 hours later, 5g before and 5g after workout). After that take 5g in the off days and 5g 45 min before/5g immediately after training.
You can consider 10g/day (in two doses) if you're 220lbs ++.
Bold is bro science. You can load (4x5mg for 5 days) if you want, but it is not necessary. It will saturate the muscle faster, but its not necessary. Once the bold reaches the maximal saturation level about 150-160 mmol nothing extra will help.
Also only 2-3mg/day is necessary to maintain saturation levels. There is no need to take 5mg. Save the cash and take less.
Can you guys cite your sources?
no u?
Can you guys cite your sources?
Nope just going on experience, and what is recommend.
I think I found CaptainNapalm source.
Bodybuilding.com - Creatine Truths And Myths.
Still have no idea where pebble got his info, which sucks since he's saying you only need amounts in mg.
Can you guys cite your sources?
I will give you the sources Sunday or Monday. But it is Journal of Physiology.
Here is muscle loading and maintenance:
J Appl Physiol. 1996 Jul;81(1):232-7.
Muscle creatine loading in men.
Hultman E, Söderlund K, Timmons JA, Cederblad G, Greenhaff PL.
Source
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Abstract
The effect of dietary creatine and supplementation on skeletal muscle creatine accumulation and subsequent degradation and on urinary creatinine excretion was investigated in 31 male subjects who ingested creatine in different quantities over varying time periods. Muscle total creatine concentration increased by approximately 20% after 6 days of creatine supplementation at a rate of 20 g/day. This elevated concentration was maintained when supplementation was continued at a rate of 2 g/day for a further 30 days. In the absence of 2 g/day supplementation, total creatine concentration gradually declined, such that 30 days after the cessation of supplementation the concentration was no different from the presupplementation value. During this period, urinary creatinine excretion was correspondingly increased. A similar, but more gradual, 20% increase in muscle total creatine concentration was observed over a period of 28 days when supplementation was undertaken at a rate of 3 g/day. In conclusion, a rapid way to "creatine load" human skeletal muscle is to ingest 20 g of creatine for 6 days. This elevated tissue concentration can then be maintained by ingestion of 2 g/day thereafter. The ingestion of 3 g creatine/day is in the long term likely to be as effective at raising tissue levels as this higher dose.
Here is muscle loading and maintenance:
J Appl Physiol. 1996 Jul;81(1):232-7.
Muscle creatine loading in men.
Hultman E, Söderlund K, Timmons JA, Cederblad G, Greenhaff PL.
Source
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Abstract
The effect of dietary creatine and supplementation on skeletal muscle creatine accumulation and subsequent degradation and on urinary creatinine excretion was investigated in 31 male subjects who ingested creatine in different quantities over varying time periods. Muscle total creatine concentration increased by approximately 20% after 6 days of creatine supplementation at a rate of 20 g/day. This elevated concentration was maintained when supplementation was continued at a rate of 2 g/day for a further 30 days. In the absence of 2 g/day supplementation, total creatine concentration gradually declined, such that 30 days after the cessation of supplementation the concentration was no different from the presupplementation value. During this period, urinary creatinine excretion was correspondingly increased. A similar, but more gradual, 20% increase in muscle total creatine concentration was observed over a period of 28 days when supplementation was undertaken at a rate of 3 g/day. In conclusion, a rapid way to "creatine load" human skeletal muscle is to ingest 20 g of creatine for 6 days. This elevated tissue concentration can then be maintained by ingestion of 2 g/day thereafter. The ingestion of 3 g creatine/day is in the long term likely to be as effective at raising tissue levels as this higher dose.
Just noticed that study was done in 1996. It's my understanding that loading has been made unnecessary according to more recent studies.
True, but the interesting part of the study was the maintenance levels (2g).
I'm gonna try half a scoop (~2.5g) and see if I can tell any difference.
Loading is not necessary, but it does get you to where you are going faster - muscle saturation. The study was trying to figure out the most optimal way to get there so that you are not wasting (excreting) creatine.