[Azure]

Originally Posted by Ch40s

And YOU have absolutely NO evidence to prove anything you're saying!

I don't take Creatine at the moment.

But I do use a protein shake, and the only evidence I have is the fact that I'm making gains. Do you need before and after pictures?

You're expecting me to believe you, some random joe blow on the internet, over a freakin' textbook constructed by researchers and professors who have been in the field for years who back their information up with citations?

Why are you asking? Frankly, as far as I'm concerned, most of the people here who are using creatine have said that it helps them. There are NO health risks involved with it(search Google, or all your freakin' textbooks).

Whats the problem? You're the one who automatically calls it crap....talks about how some meathead told them to use it, and turns around and asks questions about it.

Frankly I don't give a crap what you put in your body. I was curious as to how creatine could possible help you gain muscle mass, that's why weight lifters take it, right? No? They take it for performance? Why do you care about performance as someone who exercises to be health and fit, not to compete?

Perhaps you should go read your textbooks, and look at what they tell you about what it takes to gain muscle mass. I'm sure you'll find something about lifting 75-90% of your ability in order to gain muscle mass. Common sense 'should' then tell you that if taking Creatine will allow you to lift at such a rate, you WILL gain muscle mass, providing that your protein intake is consistant enough based on your requirements in order to successfully allow for efficient growth and repair of muscle tissue.

Not to mention the fact that Whey Protein contains high levels of ALL the essential amino acids NOT produced by the body. Plus, foods with low amino acid content, BUT high in protein, are poor equivalents, as the body will remove the amino acids obtained which in turn will convert the protein into fats and carbohydrates, like you said earlier....but you left out the important details. That is why protein shakes are so successful, because they contain the essential balance of amino acids needed for a high degree of net protein utilization.

Not all of us spend 2-1/2 hours in the gym each day....nor do we 'compete' in events. But most of us have high standards, thus the need for supplements such as Creatine.

Most health experts will tell you that each person is different, based on body type, etc, etc. Some of us have experienced with Creatine and found that our body responds better to it. Others, like me have made significant gains without it.

I'd love to cite a textbook or something that explains how it's a risk, but if you're too ignorant to, first of all, believe that the average person gets enough protein (experts say this, I'm just reiterating it), and also that you can grab whatever health product is on the market and shove it down your throat assuming there is no risk whatsoever, I doubt at this point any information I refer to will change you.

I qualify as the average person....and I KNOW that I do not get enough protein WITHOUT the shakes. I'm also trying to cut at the same time, so I have to watch my daily calorie intake. I simply can't eat almonds without question in order to reach my daily protein requirement, well, because almonds are also high in calories.

Perhaps some of the other members who have posted that they use a protein shake can answer as well.

You also assume that I take every single health product out there and 'shove it down my throat.' I don't.

Before I even thought about buying the protein powder, I DID talk to my doctor about it, along with a nutritionist...and both, after looking at my diet along with my workout schedule, recommended the use of protein powder to stimulate my requirements.

That being said, your point of certain people taking every 'new' health product out there and shoving it down their throat is true.

But it doesn't apply here.