Dangers of Creatine + other questions

[1988Mscott]

I have come across a lot of conflicting information about the safety of creatine. Most reports, scientific and personal alike seem to claim it's safe. However there are also people who claim it can cause serious kidney damage (http://www.nutritionalsupplements.com/workgnc.html). I was wondering what the consensus is on this site. I bought some but decided after reading the mixed reports to put it in the back of my cupboard for now.

Also I was just curious about anyones personal experience with creatine as well as CLA. Do these supplements actually work? Do the gains remain after stopping the supplement (while maintaining the diet and physical exercise).

If I do decide to use creatine does it conflict at all with CLA?

[hrdgain81]

Creatine is safe, its been on the market for years with many many studies on its effectiveness and saftey.

CLA on the other hand I wouldnt waste my money on. I've used it in the past and saw no results. And the only studies that back up its effectiveness are done on mice/rats.

[TALO]

As for creatine , I believe it's safe. But I still take time off of it every now and then - I have not been on it for about a month. I personally think it's a good idea to take a break from all sup's every once in awhile. Shit can get expensive!!

[Ross86]

I'm a big fan on CLA. I'll post the summary of the study that I always cite when selling it. I'll do it when I have time. I agree, most studies didn't prove that it was an effective supplement, but I have always liked it.

[hrdgain81]

^^ to each his own ross, I've used it several times and didnt feel as though it was beneficial. What types of effects did you see from it?

[Ross86]

I used it during a recomp. Lost a lb or two, but I got stronger...so I think I ended up losing more than two lbs of BF. I was taking other stuff too, but I still credit part of it to the CLA.

[hrdgain81]

Interesting, how did you dose it, I went as high as 8g a day.

I was using it in conjunction with ALCAR, what they used to call the Anarchy stack (not really sure why). I saw a drastic change in endurance due to the ALCAR, and some recomp, but it wasn't enough to convince me that the CLA did anything. That may be because ALCAR is the shit hahahah.

I would like to read the study you cited, if its compelling enough maybe I'll give CLA another shot, i do have like 500 gels left somewhere.

[Big Chris]

I've been on Sci-Fit's Kre-Alkalyn and I like it. Better then conventional creatine.

[hrdgain81]

^^ How is it better?

IMO creatine is creatine, all these alkalyn and micronized, and estyl ether versions are ridiculous. Good old Mono and some high gi carbs is all you really need. The only exception would be if you get GI issues with mono, then maybe CEE (bulk powder) would be better, but I would still take it with carbs, I have yet to see any studies that validate the claims that CEE does not need a glucose transporter.

[Ross86]

Oh, and another study I read said the maximum effective dose for CLA is 3.4g. There was no difference at all when the dosage was raised about that. I'll go look for the study about CLA's efficacy right now.