The Effects of Creatine

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I've been looking online for a while now trying to research weight gain. However it's really difficult as when you search for it, weight loss stuff comes up.

Now I realize there's a low percentage of the population that has trouble gaining weight, and a large percentage that has trouble losing it. However, I would think there'd be something out there to help the freakishly skinny if you will.

Creatine, how does it work? What would happen if you just drank it and didn't lift weights (I know it's insanely unhealthy to do that, I'm just curious as to how the stuff works).

Is there any other options out there?

I know Periactin (cyproheptadine) which is an antihistamine, but is used to help anorexic and tuberculosis patients to induce appetite and thus gain weight. That is the closest prescription for weight can I can find aside psychotropic drugs such as Paxil (paroxetine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), and Lexapro (escitalopram)


Are there any doctors, pharmacists, or kinesiologists that have any reccomendations?

[AC]

I don't know for certain, but I was under the impression that Creatine is used in the rebuilding of muscles.

I don't see how simply drinking it would accomplish anything.

[calf]

go to your local gym/fitness centre, and talk to a personal trainer. They'll give you a workout plan/diet plan to help you out.

I'm no expert, but I think your best bet, in order to gain weight and remain healthy, is eat a balanced diet (with maybe a little more protein for muscle re-building), but go hard with the weight training.

[KevanGuy]

JR. Bacon Cheeseburgers.....lots of cheeseburgers. Worked for me.

[arsenal]

Creatine is just basically ATP usually in powder sometime liquid form.
If you remember from your HS Bio classes, ATP is used by muscles as energy.

By drinking creatine, you are just providing your body with more ATP. This in turn, gives you more energy, allowing you to lift more weights, breaking down more muscle tissue for your body to build back up. Ergo, making you bulk up faster. The one thing with Creatine, is that you HAVE to drink alot of water. More than you are used to. So, you will be peeing alot. (I know... I am using it right now).

But Creatine is not enough. You probably should look into getting a big tub of whey protien powder as well. If you get vanilla, then you can make these awsome tasting fruit shakes.

All this stuff wont help you though, if you don't eat. You still need to eat like 5 or 6 times a day. I am still struggling with this. As I usually only have time to eat twice a day.

But definately consult a doctor or if you know anyone that is a kinesiologist.
But they will basically just say "Eat more, and you will put on weight".

[Jake]

Even if you do lift weights Creatine is insanely unhealthy. Its horrible for your kidneys and bladder. If you take it without lifting weights it does nothing, except of course slowly eating away at your bladder lining. Creatine does make you stronger and by that mechanism you gain muscle mass because you lift more weight. It does not build muscle by itself! Ignore what it says on websites and on the container (IE: do not have 4-5 glasses a day). The bottom line is taking creatine is extremely bad for you. If you take it while lifting weights you at least benefit in some ways, if you take it without lifting weights creatine does nothing except hurt you.

As for the other things you mentioned I have no idea what they are. In my experience all artificial methods of gaining muscle are unhealthy. Protein is a good way to gain muscle IF you lift weights. I suggest Whey protein. Make sure you buy digested protein because you just excrete undigested protein in your urine. Once again don't listen to the back of the container, only take it before or after working out. I have a feeling the company is trying to get you to use more at the expense of your health.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I have a hyper-active metabolism, thus eating more doesn't help me put on more weight. In high school I worked at DQ for 2 years, and had double cheese meals litterally every other day, probably 4 to 5 a week. I gained .... ZERO pounds. Even now I eat more fast food than I should, and I'm about 40-50 pounds underweight.

I'm told it's a good problem to have, be super skinny and healthy (when not eating ginormous amounts of fast food) ... but frankly it kinda sucks. People think it's ok to make fun of your weight problem (friends I don't mind, but strangers I want to kick in the junk, it's just so So SO rude, what would you think if I walked into a store and said "WOW YOU'RE FAT!!!" And well... the ladies aren't the biggest fan of skelotons that the Wringling Brother's Freak Show is calling asking to tour with them)

edit: I'm also not looking to have a bodybuilder physique, just get to my ideal BMI, and look "normal", even if that means having a bit of fat rather than muscle.

[metallicat]

Creatine is bad for you Jake? Pure creatine monohydrate which can be taken in a supplement form, is also found naturally in ones body, and in foods such as meat. Is that unhealthy? Which conspiracy theory website did you take that crap from?

[Jake]

Originally posted by arsenal@Aug 6 2005, 12:15 PM
But definately consult a doctor or if you know anyone that is a kinesiologist.
But they will basically just say "Eat more, and you will put on weight".

Listen to them! They have anywhere between 8 to 12 years of education. I can't stress enough how bad this stuff is for you!!

[metallicat]

Originally posted by Jake+Aug 6 2005, 01:31 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Jake @ Aug 6 2005, 01:31 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-arsenal@Aug 6 2005, 12:15 PM
But definately consult a doctor or if you know anyone that is a kinesiologist.
But they will basically just say "Eat more, and you will put on weight".

Listen to them! They have anywhere between 8 to 12 years of education. I can't stress enough how bad this stuff is for you!! [/b][/quote]
I can't stress how much crap you are talking.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally posted by arsenal@Aug 6 2005, 04:15 PM
But they will basically just say "Eat more, and you will put on weight".

actually... the last time I talked to my doctor (would have been a few years ago now) she said that won't help, my metabolism is too high.

[FireFly]

Originally posted by Maritime Q-Scout@Aug 6 2005, 01:31 PM
I have a hyper-active metabolism, thus eating more doesn't help me put on more weight. In high school I worked at DQ for 2 years, and had double cheese meals litterally every other day, probably 4 to 5 a week. I gained .... ZERO pounds. Even now I eat more fast food than I should, and I'm about 40-50 pounds underweight.

I'm told it's a good problem to have, be super skinny and healthy (when not eating ginormous amounts of fast food) ... but frankly it kinda sucks. People think it's ok to make fun of your weight problem (friends I don't mind, but strangers I want to kick in the junk, it's just so So SO rude, what would you think if I walked into a store and said "WOW YOU'RE FAT!!!" And well... the ladies aren't the biggest fan of skelotons that the Wringling Brother's Freak Show is calling asking to tour with them)

edit: I'm also not looking to have a bodybuilder physique, just get to my ideal BMI, and look "normal", even if that means having a bit of fat rather than muscle.

sometimes skinny guys are hot. they age better... men sag too, people!

[Jake]

Originally posted by oilers_fan@Aug 6 2005, 12:31 PM
Creatine is bad for you Jake? Pure creatine monohydrate which can be taken in a supplement form, is also found naturally in ones body, and in foods such as meat. Is that unhealthy? Which conspiracy theory website did you take that crap from?

Lets see... one of my sisters is in med school, a friend of mine who is a radiologist, my other sister is going into her fourth year of science (CMMB) and not to mention my own father who is an orthadonist (yes, they know all about this stuff too).

And what website did you get your info from?

Your right though, take it and I'll talk to you again in 20 years. I bet you sound exactly like the people who said steriods where great!

[Jake]

Originally posted by oilers_fan+Aug 6 2005, 12:32 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (oilers_fan @ Aug 6 2005, 12:32 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Listen to them! They have anywhere between 8 to 12 years of education. I can't stress enough how bad this stuff is for you!!

I can't stress how much crap you are talking. [/b][/quote]
so your saying we shouldn't listen to our doctors?

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally posted by FireFly@Aug 6 2005, 04:35 PM
sometimes skinny guys are hot. they age better... men sag too, people!

this isn't one of those times

Girls would rather go out with Jabba the Hut than me

[arsenal]

Wouldn't it just be like everything. In moderation, you wont have any problems. But if you abuse it, then you are asking for trouble.

Doctor's prescribe steroids for patients that need to re-build muscle. Do they have problems down the road? It's the people that abuse steroid use that have problems.

[AC]

Originally posted by Jake@Aug 6 2005, 12:37 PM
so your saying we shouldn't listen to our doctors?

All the doctors I have asked about Creatine have indicated it is not harmful.

The only problem is a depletion in Calcium, but simply drinking more milk compensates for that.

[Jake]

How old is your doctor? They teach new things in med school now.

Honestly I don't care what you put into your bodies, but it is bad for you. I took it in grade 11, but stopped after about one month after advice from many people. Those who gave me advice on this include a U of A medical student entering her 3rd year (that school is maintains creatine should not be taken), a radialogist who currently works in Vancouver but used to be at Foothills, a U of C student entering her fourth year in CMMB, and my family doctor.

Go ahead take it and, like I said to that Oiler fan, talk to me in 20 years.

[Jake]

Originally posted by oilers_fan@Aug 6 2005, 12:31 PM
Creatine is bad for you Jake? Pure creatine monohydrate which can be taken in a supplement form, is also found naturally in ones body, and in foods such as meat. Is that unhealthy? Which conspiracy theory website did you take that crap from?

Where do I begin?

Steriods are a hormone found in ones body also... surely you do not maintain that steriods have no negative effects?

It is produced in small amounts in your body (less than 1 gram) and you take in very little in your diet. In comparison a general rule for protein intake is your body weight in grams, but if you ate red meat three meals a day that is only 6 grams, of which your digestive system takes in half.

These creatine producers are telling you to take in 15 grams per day! That is 250% more than is natural!

[metallicat]

I have not once read a study that suggested creatine is bad for you. I guess since you have this many relatives who are doctors, you must also have a wealth of studies to back up your case. Please supple them.

http://www.man-health-magazine-online.com/...e-research.html
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/subs...le_Side_Effects

I have been specifically given a fitness program by two seperate people who have gone to school for this stuff (one in the USA, and one in Calgary) and both have included creatine. There is nothing out there that suggests creatine is bad for you.