Creatine - Take on empty stomach?

[Tony H]

Should creatine be taken on an empty stomach or does it matter?

I've heard some people say to take it on an empty stomach, then wait half an hour before eating anything. I've heard you should take it immediately after working out. I've heard it makes no difference whatsoever when or how you take it.

What do you guys think?

[malkore]

here's what I can sum up from research I read:
Take it post workout, in your PWO shake. simple carbs can be added but aren't necessary, as a strenuous workout will cause the body to WANT to take up creatine if its available, so a carb delivery system (marketing words used by supp. companies) isn't really needed.
No need to exceed 5g of creatine per dose, and since the body retains creatine in the cells from day to day, you don't have to 'load' or take it on off-days to reap the benefits.

[Behemoth]

here's what I can sum up from research I read:
Take it post workout, in your PWO shake. simple carbs can be added but aren't necessary, as a strenuous workout will cause the body to WANT to take up creatine if its available, so a carb delivery system (marketing words used by supp. companies) isn't really needed.
No need to exceed 5g of creatine per dose, and since the body retains creatine in the cells from day to day, you don't have to 'load' or take it on off-days to reap the benefits.

All well and good but regardless of whether or not you take creatine at all, simple carbs are mandatory PWO.

[booya]

No need to exceed 5g of creatine per dose, and since the body retains creatine in the cells from day to day, you don't have to 'load' or take it on off-days to reap the benefits.
So it is in no way more beneficial if you take it on days when you don't work out?

[Built]

I take it first thing in the AM empty on non-training days, without carb. I figure it's cheap insurance.

[Built]

All well and good but regardless of whether or not you take creatine at all, simple carbs are mandatory PWO.

Not if your pre-workout nutrition was in order.

I take slow carb before AND after, with protein. Low fat for both.

[Behemoth]

Not if your pre-workout nutrition was in order.

I take slow carb before AND after, with protein. Low fat for both.

But simple carbs help with the absorbtion of the protein post workout. whereas eating the complex low GI will only do half the job -- keep glycogen stores full/replenish depleted glycogen. Plus dextrose aids in replenishing muscle glycogen better than complex carbs that generally first replenish the liver -- no?