Creatine Or Something Else?

The JugglerThe Juggler Posts: 49,257
edited September 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
can anyone recommend a supplement that helps you in ways creatine does (i realize it wont be as good) but has fewer side effects? i started taking creatine for the first time since college (about 8 years) and noticed that it was really giving me these weird cramps in my side stomach and lower back area--kidney region. i know all about the kidney problems that creatine has supposedly caused people. it never gave me any issues back in the day. plus since its not fda approved (though i guess most supplements are not) there are still a lot of unknowns. im not going to risk it.

ANYWHO....ive been working out a lot more often the last few months and have seen some really nice gains with building muscle and getting leaner. i started with the creatine because i sort of hit a wall, plus i am going back to work soon and wont be able to work out quite as much. so i want something to help me maintain or even go to the next level. the creatine that i took is called "amplified creatine." it comes in a tablet form and supposedly goes more directly to your muscle and there isnt much of a loading phase because of that. in just the week that i used it i was more easily able to add more weight and reps to my lifts and felt much more stronger. but the unknowns, and cramps in my stomach just make me too scared to take it anymore at this point in my life. the only other supplement i take is whey protein.

can anyone recommend something more safe to take?

many thanks!
www.myspace.com
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • can anyone recommend a supplement that helps you in ways creatine does (i realize it wont be as good) but has fewer side effects? i started taking creatine for the first time since college (about 8 years) and noticed that it was really giving me these weird cramps in my side stomach and lower back area--kidney region. i know all about the kidney problems that creatine has supposedly caused people. it never gave me any issues back in the day. plus since its not fda approved (though i guess most supplements are not) there are still a lot of unknowns. im not going to risk it.

    ANYWHO....ive been working out a lot more often the last few months and have seen some really nice gains with building muscle and getting leaner. i started with the creatine because i sort of hit a wall, plus i am going back to work soon and wont be able to work out quite as much. so i want something to help me maintain or even go to the next level. the creatine that i took is called "amplified creatine." it comes in a tablet form and supposedly goes more directly to your muscle and there isnt much of a loading phase because of that. in just the week that i used it i was more easily able to add more weight and reps to my lifts and felt much more stronger. but the unknowns, and cramps in my stomach just make me too scared to take it anymore at this point in my life. the only other supplement i take is whey protein.

    can anyone recommend something more safe to take?

    many thanks!

    I'm an avid weight trainer and have worked as a nutritionist in the past, and In my opinion all supplements (besides protein and a multi-vitamin/mineral) are a waste of money. You pay a lot of money for not much result, which is ok of you make a living at bodybuilding or in the fitness world, but in the real world it's mostly hype.
  • catch22catch22 Posts: 1,081
    can anyone recommend a supplement that helps you in ways creatine does (i realize it wont be as good) but has fewer side effects? i started taking creatine for the first time since college (about 8 years) and noticed that it was really giving me these weird cramps in my side stomach and lower back area--kidney region. i know all about the kidney problems that creatine has supposedly caused people. it never gave me any issues back in the day. plus since its not fda approved (though i guess most supplements are not) there are still a lot of unknowns. im not going to risk it.

    ANYWHO....ive been working out a lot more often the last few months and have seen some really nice gains with building muscle and getting leaner. i started with the creatine because i sort of hit a wall, plus i am going back to work soon and wont be able to work out quite as much. so i want something to help me maintain or even go to the next level. the creatine that i took is called "amplified creatine." it comes in a tablet form and supposedly goes more directly to your muscle and there isnt much of a loading phase because of that. in just the week that i used it i was more easily able to add more weight and reps to my lifts and felt much more stronger. but the unknowns, and cramps in my stomach just make me too scared to take it anymore at this point in my life. the only other supplement i take is whey protein.

    can anyone recommend something more safe to take?

    many thanks!

    i think those who feel compelled to "add muscle" by taking drugs and working out absurdly are trying very hard to compensate for "short"comings in other areas of their physicality. who wants a meathead? you work out, you're in shape, women will like it. you keep going and you just wind up looking like a tool.
    and like that... he's gone.
  • The JugglerThe Juggler Posts: 49,257
    I'm an avid weight trainer and have worked as a nutritionist in the past, and In my opinion all supplements (besides protein and a multi-vitamin/mineral) are a waste of money. You pay a lot of money for not much result, which is ok of you make a living at bodybuilding or in the fitness world, but in the real world it's mostly hype.

    so you dont take anything other than protein and vitamens? creatine did really work for me back in college. but i hear what you're saying.
    www.myspace.com
  • I'm an avid weight trainer and have worked as a nutritionist in the past, and In my opinion all supplements (besides protein and a multi-vitamin/mineral) are a waste of money. You pay a lot of money for not much result, which is ok of you make a living at bodybuilding or in the fitness world, but in the real world it's mostly hype.
    I pretty much agree with this. Maybe there are a couple of exceptions, but for the most part...supps are a scam.

    If you're hitting a plateau with your gains, creatine isn't going to break it. You just have to eat more. If you're lifting hard and not gaining muscle, it's not because you're not taking creatine. It's because you're not in a caloric surplus and/or not getting enough protein.
  • Jeagler - not going to preach here, but please get off the creatin and anything else you're on. stick with what 'dissident' said and go with the basics. and change your lifting exercises/sets whenever you hit a plateau.

    that said, congrats on the improvements!!!
    I love to turn you on
  • catch22 wrote:
    i think those who feel compelled to "add muscle" by taking drugs and working out absurdly are trying very hard to compensate for "short"comings in other areas of their physicality. who wants a meathead? you work out, you're in shape, women will like it. you keep going and you just wind up looking like a tool.

    Well said! Personally, I find "meatheads" unattractive!
    This is the greatest band in the world -- Ben Harper

  • I take an additional 50-75 grams of protein a day depending on how intense my workout is. i take it between meals and before bed.

    Again, just my opinion, but if you get your calorie needs figured out and have a solid resistance/cardio training routine worked out - you'll be fine.
  • catch22catch22 Posts: 1,081
    Well said! Personally, I find "meatheads" unattractive!

    damn, that guy looks so wrong.

    weight room guys crack me up.
    and like that... he's gone.
  • I take an additional 50-75 grams of protein a day depending on how intense my workout is. i take it between meals and before bed.

    Again, just my opinion, but if you get your calorie needs figured out and have a solid resistance/cardio training routine worked out - you'll be fine.

    what's the most convenient way to take in more protein without eating a steak between meals and before bed? i drink a whey protein shake after workouts but that's about all. should i do that before bed too?
  • what's the most convenient way to take in more protein without eating a steak between meals and before bed? i drink a whey protein shake after workouts but that's about all. should i do that before bed too?
    Whey is certainly the most convenient way to get more protein in, but you shouldn't rely on it too much. Look at it for what it is: a supplement. It shouldn't be a staple in your diet imo. Yeah, it's less convenient to cook more real food, but it's a lot better than freakin' powder.
  • The JugglerThe Juggler Posts: 49,257
    catch22 wrote:
    i think those who feel compelled to "add muscle" by taking drugs and working out absurdly are trying very hard to compensate for "short"comings in other areas of their physicality. who wants a meathead? you work out, you're in shape, women will like it. you keep going and you just wind up looking like a tool.

    beat it. im the furthest thing from a meathead. and whats wrong with wanting to get in better shape? especially when you have as much free time as i had the past few months. there are much worse ways i could have spent my time.
    www.myspace.com
  • The JugglerThe Juggler Posts: 49,257
    Well said! Personally, I find "meatheads" unattractive!

    lol...i think 99.9% of the female population would find that guy unattractive! thats not quite the look im going for!
    www.myspace.com
  • The JugglerThe Juggler Posts: 49,257
    Saturnal wrote:
    Whey is certainly the most convenient way to get more protein in, but you shouldn't rely on it too much. Look at it for what it is: a supplement. It shouldn't be a staple in your diet imo. Yeah, it's less convenient to cook more real food, but it's a lot better than freakin' powder.

    i usually have a shake in the morning and then before/after a workout.
    www.myspace.com
  • senninsennin Posts: 2,146
    GNC MegaMen Multi-vitamin.
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