Creatine...i welcome any information (cited) or personal accounts, care to share?

Question

I used creatine like it was my freak'n job back in highschool. Took more than you were supposed to too. i have to admit i got pretty big. though i noticed that i got frequent nose bleeds, not sure if it realated though. I am considering starting to use it again. Its been about 6 years since i quite and im sure that there has been some things found out about using and abusing it that i don't know. so i would be greatful if you all could share, thanks!

Answer 1

After several prominent athletes acknowledged using it in the past few years, creatine is best known for possibly improving athletic performance. Although multiple studies have been conducted to assess the effect of creatine on exercise potential, results are mostly inconclusive. While muscles may become bigger when creatine is taken, the gain in size may be due mainly to more water being held in the cells of muscle tissue. Additionally, it is important to note that many of the studies were done in clinics or laboratory settings that do not necessarily duplicate conditions at actual athletic events. Most of the studies tested small groups of young, trained athletes who took many different doses and forms of creatine. In general, results of the studies show that creatine supplementation may offer younger individuals a benefit for improving repeated, intensive spurts of effort such as weight lifting. Less apparent improvement or no effects occurred for more sustained exercise such as swimming laps. Based on the responses of some individuals, taking creatine may actually decrease the ability to maintain prolonged exercise. Results among older individuals were mixed ¯ with small benefits seen in some studies, but no exercise improvement in others.

Since the potential muscle-enhancing effect of creatine supplementation may affect all muscles in the body, it has also been studied for treating heart conditions and muscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy. Several small studies of individuals with heart failure have had different results. In some studies, creatine has appeared to have a direct effect on the heart, causing it to beat more forcefully. Other studies found no effect on the heart itself, although an increase in overall muscle strength was seen in many of the individuals receiving creatine supplements. Creatine may have been more beneficial for improving heart function when it was injected into a vein than when it was taken orally. For individuals with muscle-weakening conditions, results of studies are also inconsistent. Animal studies show that creatine may lessen the effects of Huntington's disease, a hereditary degenerative disorder of brain tissue. In studies of individuals with a rare genetic condition known as McArdle's disease, daily doses of creatine at 60 mg per Kg (about 2.2 pounds) of body weight seemed to improve muscle function and lessen muscle fatigue. Higher doses seemed to worsen the condition, however. McArdle's disease involves the inability to produce energy from chemicals stored in muscle tissue. Muscle symptoms of individuals with muscular dystrophy and similar conditions have also seemed to be reduced by creatinine. Creatine supplements appeared to be effective in preserving sight for individuals with gyrate atrophy, a very rare condition affecting the muscles of the eyes. The use of creatine in all these conditions is under study and much more needs to be learned before creatine is proved effective for any of them.

Creatine may have non-muscular effects as well. In laboratory and animal studies, creatine and substances derived from it have shown inhibitory effects against cancer. One early theory is that creatine prompts cancer cells to disintegrate, but the exact ways it might work are not understood. In other laboratory, animal, and human studies, supplemental creatine may have had a lowering effect on cholesterol levels. It is thought that creatine may affect the way the body breaks down and uses cholesterol from foods, but this theory has not been confirmed by adequate research findings. Very early results from a few additional studies suggest that creatine may protect nerves from damage by chemicals and diseases. This effect may make it useful for treating conditions such as Parkinson's disease. All of these potential uses for creatine need further study before they can be recommended.

Answer 2

From what I understand it needs to be used in moderation and with proper diet and exercise. I've heard from a few people that if you use it properly you can see large improvments with in the first few weeks.
Be careful though because from what I understand it puts unnecisary strain on your body and using it too much consistantly can cause severe health problems.