Creatine, anyone???

[Carol_is_fit]

Is anyone taking it to supplement their workouts? Tell me about your likes, dislikes, or any side effects you've had. I've read all the research, and there is plenty of it to read.

What I'd really rather hear about are your personal experience with it. Thanks!!

Carol

 

[lauramangano]

I have been supplementing with about one teaspoon of creatine a day, for about a month, but so far, I don't see any differences in muscle size. I'm kinda disappointed (I guess I wanted to look like AHNOLD within the week, haha). On the upside, it doesn't really have any taste, but on drawback is the gritty texture which I can sometimes do without.

 

[pink_fortitude]

I have only had a limited exposure to it, and my experience wasn't great: DH took it while we were dating and I could tell when he missed a day because he was much less moody.

Missy

 

[crazystepr]

This stuff is bad news. My brother takes it and his moods are out of control. It's not regulated by the FDA either so who knows what it really does to you. My personal experience (and opinion) is to stay away from it.

 

[MRSchultz]

Good to know, I was wondering about this, too. Now - I know to stay away. The last thing I need is to get moody more than once a month.....

Marcia.

 

[pebblesus]

I would honestly have to say to try it for 6-8 weeks and see how it works for you..
I posted about it on here and other forums asking for advice before I took it for the first time..
Many women said it bloated them something awful, yet it works great I hink for most people..
I, however, didn't notice anything. I took it for 7 weeks, no bloating, no gains, nothing.
I don't take it anymore as it didn't work for me.. I take BCAA's and Glutamine.
Id say try it, the mono kind is very basic, pure creatine without a lot of other things and its not very $$

 

[LauraMax]

I took it in college, for an extended period......maybe 9-12 months. Did absolutely nothing for me, except it was so expensive I had to eat tuna from a can twice a day so I could afford it.

 

[Carol_is_fit]

Thanks for all your replies so far! I really appreciate it.

The price has come down considerably since it's gone "mainstream". This
http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3023915&cp=2108320.2102405&parentPage=family

seems to be the going price everywhere I looked, and it works out to $0.14 a serving, taking it once a day after or during your workout.

I don't recall reading any studies that reported mood swings, so I'm really interested in hearing more about those, if anyone wants to elaborate. I know there is anecdotal evidence out there for all sorts of side effects, and I'm not sure we know the long-term effects, as the studies concentrated on short-term performance changes.

Carol