I just read an article in the “Health And Fitness” part of the Detroit News about 5 minutes ago about watching out for kids using supplements. It said that creatine can turn into formaldehyde, damaging a bunch of stuff. I thought formaldehyde was that stuff used to like keep dead pigs in?
they’re full of crap. Aspartame can turn into formaldehyde… do they also warn to make sure that your kids don’t chew sugar-free gum, drink crystal light or diet soda?
I don’t know if it’s possible for quality (impurity free) creating to develop traces of formaldehyde, because I am no chemist and I haven’t read that anywhere. I’d be interested in knowing, but it won’t stop me from usign creatine any more than my previously stated fact will keep me from drinking Diet Coke.
Actually formaldehyde is used to enbalm bodies post mordem. Has a lot of really nasty chemical properties as well. Go to any mortuary website and there is a ton of information there.
Well, I went sniffing out on the web and found the following safety note in the Encyclopedia section of “The Natural Pharmacist” website. I certainly see no cause for alarm. I’m cerainly not going to stop taking it. Sounds like the Detroit News just didn’t have any real news to report.
"Creatine appears to be safe, at least in healthy athletes. No significant side effects have been found the regimen of several days of a high dosage (15 to 30 g daily) followed by 6 weeks of a lower dosage (2 to 3 g daily). A placebo-controlled study of 100 football players found no adverse consequences during 10 months to 5 years of creatine supplementation.38
However, there are some potential concerns with creatine. Because it is metabolized by the kidneys, fears have been expressed that creatine supplements could cause kidney injury, and there are two worrisome case reports.39,40 However, evidence suggests that creatine is safe for people whose kidneys are healthy to begin with, and who don’t take excessive doses.41,42 Nonetheless, individuals with kidney disease, especially those on dialysis, should avoid creatine.
Another concern revolves around the fact that creatine is metabolized in the body to the toxic substance formaldehyde.43 However, it is not clear whether the amount of formaldehyde produced in this way will cause any harm. Three deaths have been reported in individuals taking creatine, but other causes were most likely responsible.44
As with all supplements taken in very high doses, it is important to purchase a high-quality form of creatine, as contaminants present even in very low concentrations could conceivably build up and cause problems."
FYI: This question was answered in “Behind The Scenes” in issue 116. Strength Training, Bodybuilding & Online Supplement Store - T NATION
I understand the idea of useing creatine to get ready for a contest, photo shoot, look best on vacation, etc… but whats the real sence in non-competative athletes useing it long term?
but as far as saftey I would not worry. people have been consumeing it since the begining of time. peace
Hetyeh, you can’t spell for shit man. useing? sence? saftey? You’re obviously not too smart, but at least spell yours stuf corectli sos u dun’t look lik such an ediot. Maybe you dropped out of school? At least that would explain your retarded ramblings and lack of response to intelligent arguments of the past on this forum.
I never said I can spell and I never said I can type, I do not look over what I type 'cause I would rather just type what I am thinking and not be all ANAL (:0). but gee that was a great point you made about what I said. you follow me around like a puppy in love, for the last time, I DO NOT SWING THAT WAY!! you do and thats fine but stop following me around
Hetyey, I don’t want to get in between you and Prop (not in any sense), but I do think that you (and everyone else) might want to spell-check your posts before sending them. Otherwise, it’s hard to understand what you mean. For example, the first time I read your above post I couldn’t tell what “sence” meant - I thought it was “science”, not “sense”. Take the extra minute, okay?
Hetyeh - I’ve used it with great success in the past. I am extremely active and have found that a low ‘maintence’ dose make a huge affect on my recovery. I can’t afford to be sore from lifting because it keeps me from doing everything else. I have definately noticed that I have to drink a lot more to be hydrated, but you can never have too much water, so that’s not a big deal. I’ve never done a ‘photo shoot’ or anything else you mentioned, I use it because it helps me to continue my insane schedule
then you may have some use for it. I can understand someone with a hectic schedule may benefit but what I mean is more along the lines of the average joe who works out 3x’s a week and thinks of it as “real” muscle gains. to me if you are useing it because it hold mare water in your muscles and makes them bigger its realy just natural synathol(sp?).
and char-dawg I don’t spell great fine but most of my mistakes are from typeing (not all I know that, just most) I never typed before I got this damn thing.
I know most of you will not agree with my opinion on creatine but so what.
heytey - Yes, most of the initial weight gain with creatine is water… that’s not the gains that really matter creatine. It’s the fact that creatine will help most people recover faster (so they can lift a little more often) and lift a little more intensley (couple extra reps, couple extra pounds). All that extra work amounts to more breaking down of your muscles, which, when combined with proper nutrition, means more building up of muscle.
Creatine allows most people to work harder and working harder does build REAL muscle. So, it's not really accurate to say that people aren't getting real muscle from creatine. And not many people would want to be too loaded up on creatine before a (bodybuilding) photo shoot, because it does cause water retention and can decrease definition.
I do think that creatine is overrated. But it does help people build real, lasting muscle.
Peace out,
Wadely
Well, if investing in a dictionary and/or taking a minute to go back over your posts presents too much of an obstacle for you, then I guess all I can say is: sorry for having made such an unreasonable request. But you know what? I do it. Most others on the board do it. I don’t see what the big problem is for you.
who are you? next time I make a request of you will be the first time so I realy don’t care what “requests” you have. don’t read what I type if you don’t want to, if that presents too much of an obstacle for you then sorry :)chill some.
One other point about creatine. Besides improving recovery and allowing extra reps, there is apparently some positive effect on anabolism simply in volumizing muscle cells as creatine does.