Why do we take creatine if we don't know the LTE?

[future_strongguy]

Why do we take creatine if we don't know the long-term side effects? We do not know if there are long term-side effects, or what they are.

I started my loading phase yesterday; it was the first time I ever took creatine. Today I have taken two scoops of it, but I'm thinking of stopping. So far three people have asked me what I was drinking, and when I told them it was creatine, they said that I am messing up my liver (one was a weight lifter himself). I did some Googling and saw many horrifying stories of people using creatine (tearing pectoral muscles, "firey" feeling in stomach, constant pain in kidney area, etc).

From my understanding, creatine use has been around for a while (some 40 years or so), but just in the past decade has it been popularized. I've read (including in the Anthony Ellis guide that I am following) that there have been hundreds of studies, and no side effects have been found. However, because it has just recently been popularized, no long term side effects can be found.

Isn't this how steroids started? People knew the short term side effects, but didn't know the long term. I am not saying creatine is a steroid; I am only talking about side effects.

So are we just test subjects for this "new" thing? I want to take it, but will not if I don't know what it will do to me.

Anyone got any links I can read (some studies), or is it impossible to tell at the time? I wont accept opinions on it, because I'm not going to put my kidneys in some random person's hands.

 

[Warboss Alex]

Omen can probably give a more scientific answer than I, however:

creatine is an amino acid not a steroid. it's available in beef, fish etc, we just take a concentrated form of it. it's hardly a 'new' supplement nor are we guinea pigs in some supp company conspiracy theory trying to invent the next deca.

it's about the best researched and studied supplement ever and to my knowledge I've not ever read of it destroying anyone's kidneys or liver. in fact I've never read of any documented side-effects from creatine. as for long-term effects if there are any they haven't been discovered yet. I know many mothers/sisters/girlfriends however who fear for their sons/brothers/boyfriends health when taking it however their fears have no grounds.

pec tears do not occur because they you take creatine, but because you do flat bench incorrectly.

you must accompany creatine with a high water intake (which you should have anyway) as it does pull water into the muscles (that's the whole point of it). at LEAST 1 gallon of water a day is a must and closer to 2 is better (creatine or no creatine).

I also got the fire in my stomach after certain creatine brands (yeah I tried Celltech once, SUE ME - in fact I attributed the burning to all the sugars it had but anyway) but never with bulk powders. If a particular brand gives you trouble, try a different one or different sort of creatine (same as with whey). some people have issues with creatine monohydrate, but not with CEE or even vice versa.

honestly if you don't feel comfortable taking it, don't take it. it's not essential to make gains (though it is a great supplement).

 

[future_strongguy]

I found this: http://www.absolute-creatine.com/4.htm

It shows two long term studies on creatine use.

Thanks for the reply

 

[Warboss Alex]

****, they consider 9 months longterm? I've been taking it for years. I think you'll live.