what happens when you get off creatine?

Question

Say that you take creatine regularly, but decide not to take it for awhile. Would you all of a sudden get weaker and smaller?

I don't take creatine, but I'm worried that if I take it, I get all these gains, but if I go off of it, I lose it. Does that mean that I technically made no gains and creatine is just a temporary solution?

So if I get strong from creatine, would I have to keep taking it to stay that strong?

I've heard a lot of great things about it from bodybuilding.com but I'm debating whether I should take it or not. I know it's not a drug.

Answer 1

People shouldn't reply to things if they don't really know the answer!

What creatine primarily does is help assimilate nutrients better and also helps with recover between sets (ATP production), so if you go off creatine, it won't actually make you lose your gains. What you may notice is that it takes a bit more between sets to recover, your energy may be slightly lower. You won't lose your strength or muscle gains tho'.

Creatine itself isn't what makes you strong. It's the muscles that make you strong.

Most athletes who take creatine eventually cycle off of it for a time, so it's nothing new. Bodybuilders also cycle off of it for a few weeks before a competition during the cutting phase.

Answer 2

all creatine is is a protein if you quit taking it then your protein input will be less but nothing severe happens.... my boyfriend takes creatine to make him bigger its a supplement it doesnt have negative withdrawls and stuff like that... safe to use!!!

Answer 3

you have all the chances to get fat really fast, you still need to train really intense for a while. Also you loose your strenght.