Creatine

Is this a helpful or harmful supplement? What exactly does it do?

 

There is a bunch of information here, with links to studies:

http://examine.com/supplements/Creatine/

In short, it participates in cellular energy production by donating a
phosphate to ADP in order to produce ATP. I can't really comment
on it other than to say that in general energy production is good :)

- Scott

 

Doesn't it contain amino acids that should be restricted like methionine?

 

Is it an isolated amino acid? If so, it's bad, like MSG and tryptophan. If it's found in food, just eat those foods.

 

Creatine is very commonly used in bodybuilding and is a very popular supplement for strength and lean mass. As long as you do not have a pre-existing kidney issue, I believe it is safe to ingest in its pure form without additives.

 

This is pretty interesting
http://suppversity.blogspot.se/2013/01/ ... atine.html

 

Jenn is involved in some naturalistic fallacy.

dietf**d is involved in poor knowledge - there is zero proof creatine causes any issues with your kidneys.

 

Heavy metal contamination is a concern with creatine, if you can get creapure it's tested for heavy metal content. I took creatine at one time and honestly I think it's just a waste of cash, you probably make all you need if you eat the right foods.

 

sctb's link clearly shows how much you would need to eat to get it via diet.

 

In healthy people it's fine solox but there is evidence it may be harmful if you have kidney issues http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/9643752

I know you probably take it and think it's the shiznit but you should use google before you call people out :p

 

Your body makes creatine from protein, you don't need to get it from diet.

 

Perfect example of how a little bit of knowledge is dangerous.

That is what is called a case-study. There was no analysis done on his consumption before nor after. It's not even a correlation or an example of transitive property.

But if you want to play with some actual double blind studies:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15569335
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15795816
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16260971
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18188581
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18780799
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19403955
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20976468

And if you want to play the singular case-study, here's someone with one functioning kidney (which also happens to be damaged): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20060630

 

You said there is no evidence but I found evidence. I could care less how weak it is, you have to look at everything.

 

http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/16509464
"Given the rarity of clinically significant rhabdomyolysis with this type of operation, we suggest that the patient's use of creatine increased the risk of skeletal muscle injury due to ischemia from intra-operative tourniquet application. "
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NE ... 3113401017
"This case of acute interstitial nephritis should serve as a warning that the use of creatine, which is freely available in stores, may be associated with renal injury."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10609446
"Because commercially marketed creatine products do not meet the same quality control standards of pharmaceuticals, there is always a concern of impurities or doses higher or lower than those on the labeling. Consumers should balance the quality of information supporting the use of creatine with the known and theoretical risks of using the product, including possible renal dysfunction."
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 8601257552
"These results indicate that creatine supplements may exacerbate disease progression in an animal model of cystic renal disease. Although systematic research of the effects of creatine supplementation in humans with compromised renal"
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 760600104X

 

You seem to be confused what a cohort is vs an actual double blind.

 

You seem to be confused as to what qualifies as proof.

If you said there is no double blind studies showing creatine causes renal issues you might be correct.

 

Okay you win. You seem to have made this personal instead of focusing on actual facts.

 

I have taken creatine in the past, because in the more mainstream circles it's
touted as "cheap and effective, just take it", but I do not any longer. I'm with
cliff on this one -- although it might not be present in food in the same amounts
as you would get with supplementation, I think that the amount in food is
sufficient.

- Scott

 

I have used creatine and it definitely works.
Ray peat said creatine is fine to take as long as you get it from a clean manufacture

 

I was also curious about creatine after hearing (somewhat in passing) Ray Peat mention it on the Politics and Science Radio interview (It's from the one in 2012 titled "Autoimmune and Movement."

Has anyone found a "clean manufacturer"?