Dangers of Creatine Use?

[Guest guest]

Ralph Giarnella wrote:

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I have not researched creatine recently however when

my son was in High School (at present he is in the

Navy) and playing soccer I looked into the topic and

even had him use the substance for a while. The major

problem I found was the risk of dehydration. As I

recall, Creatine as it enters the muscle brings with

it water. If the individual utilizing creatine does

not ingest enough water then dehydration and or cramps

may occur. In fact that was a problem my son

experienced at a most inopportune time (during a major

soccer tournament).

Others with more recent experience with Creatine may

be able to better address the possibility of

dehydration and cramps.

I have added the citation of the military research

below.

Casler writes:

I only have personal experience to add, but " some types " of creatine cause

me to have " CRAMPS " .

There is no doubt about this, and I have tracked it over 6-10 years.

Recently, I have read that normal creatine ingested via powder form, can

also be present " extra-cellular " or outside the cells, drawing water out of

the cell. While I don't know this to be true, I do know that when not

taking creatine, I don't get cramps, when I do take it, I do, especially

after high perspiration, dehydrating activities like stair climbing of

around 30 minutes.

If I include 5-10g of creatine during the day of the Stair Climbing,

invariably I get cramping whilst driving home, even after consuming 2qts of

water during and after the climb.

It is thought that the creatine " not " being transported into the cell is the

problem.

There is a newer type of creatine that I have just started, " Creatine

Ethyl-Ester " , that is supposedly more efficient in the transport into the

cell. I'll see if it has any improved effect.

So far so good, and while it is not scientific, I do notice a " fuller " feel

to the muscles, post training/recovery.

Regards,

Casler

TRI-VECTOR 3-D Force Systems

Century City, CA