Monohydrate absorption question...

[BigBoostin98]

I have been searching all over this site and reading up on creatine, Yet I havn't found the answer to my question because ALL the threads i get just have 10 people telling them to "search" so rather than getting an answer to my question from searching, i just get to look at them getting told to search...LOL. But anyways, I was stacking Cellmass and NO explode for a while and I came to the conclusion that even though i made stregnth gains and temporary size gains (only directly after working out) its not worth the heffty price tag.

From reading all the other posts, its seems you guys all recomend monohydrate, which is good because its cheap, however i asked the guys i know at Vitamin Shoppe and they said that only 1% of monohydrate is actually absorbed into your body, and recomended ethyl ester (they are friends of mine so their not trying to sell me anything more expensive).

Is this true, because i have read so many studies and reports about monohydrate working effectivly and being the number one most effective sports suppliment, etc.

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

But anyways, I was stacking Cellmass and NO explode for a while and I came to the conclusion that even though i made stregnth gains and temporary size gains (only directly after working out) its not worth the heffty price tag.Good job. :thumbup:



however i asked the guys i know at Vitamin Shoppe and they said that only 1% of monohydrate is actually absorbed into your body, and recomended ethyl esterI've never heard of that in my life.



Is this true, because i have read so many studies and reports about monohydrate working effectivly and being the number one most effective sports suppliment, etc.Regular monohydrate is fine. You don't need to spend the extra on ester creatine. Ask your friends if they have any "studies" backing up their claim. Creatine monohydrate is perfectly fine.

[ddegroff]

^I agree no need to spend that extra money. Monohydrate is fine, just go with that.

[mikey4402]

plain mono is good. take it with dextrose even better

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

I haven't actually experimented with ester creatine so I can't form an opinion based on experience. However, if the benefit is even a little better, that is not worth the extra price tag, in my opinion.

[BigBoostin98]

Thank for the help guys, thats exactly what i thought (and wanted to hear). But one more question...I have found alot of disagreements on this so i wanted your opinions.

What are your feelings on the initial loading phase the bottle recommends, will it have any negative outcome if i try the initial loading phase and then keep up with the 5g daily maintenance? Even if you dont agree with loading, will it have any negative side affects?

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

Most people here will agree that you don't need to load creatine. Unless you have kidney problems or are pregnant, you won't see any side effects. However, long-term use of creatine hasn't really been studied...so who knows? There hasn't been any known horrible side effects, though. But drink lots of water.

[cosmicdebree88]

I have been searching all over this site and reading up on creatine, Yet I havn't found the answer to my question because ALL the threads i get just have 10 people telling them to "search" so rather than getting an answer to my question from searching, i just get to look at them getting told to search...LOL. But anyways, I was stacking Cellmass and NO explode for a while and I came to the conclusion that even though i made stregnth gains and temporary size gains (only directly after working out) its not worth the heffty price tag.

From reading all the other posts, its seems you guys all recomend monohydrate, which is good because its cheap, however i asked the guys i know at Vitamin Shoppe and they said that only 1% of monohydrate is actually absorbed into your body, and recomended ethyl ester (they are friends of mine so their not trying to sell me anything more expensive).

Is this true, because i have read so many studies and reports about monohydrate working effectivly and being the number one most effective sports suppliment, etc.

Quality (ie pure) monohydrate should be fine. As a rule of thumb, do not listen to people who work at gnc/vitamin shoppe. I have actually tired the creatine ethyl ester from bulk nutrition and I found it to be a little bit better than the monohydrate. It is not really more expensive, but the taste is absolutely horrible and I have a feeling the high acidity of the ethyl ester attachment is not good for you. There is also a major lack of studies to support the claims made by companies trying to sell the CEE. So, the choice is yours, neither is really bad, but I prefer the monohydrate.

Edit: Don't load the creatine. Your body will reach a saturation point fast enough without possible unpleasant GI problems using a standard 5g/day.

[Wild Cat McCane]

kidney stones due to over supplementing is a pretty horrible side effects in my opinion

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

kidney stones due to over supplementing is a pretty horrible side effects in my opinionYeah. So it's a good idea to just do the 5g/day dosage and drink plenty of water.

[BigBoostin98]

thanks guys

[Aries3x]

From reading all the other posts, its seems you guys all recomend monohydrate, which is good because its cheap, however i asked the guys i know at Vitamin Shoppe and they said that only 1% of monohydrate is actually absorbed into your body, and recomended ethyl ester (they are friends of mine so their not trying to sell me anything more expensive).

Not all of monohydrate is absorbed into your body, but much more than 1% is. http://www.absolute-creatine.com/3.htm it reads:

The other major problem is that creatine powder is not very effective when you look at absorption rates. The powder passes through the stomach and the acids in the stomach start to digest the creatine. This is not what you want, since you want the creatine to reach your muscles. Studies have shown that as much as 40-50% of the creatine powder you take is lost before it ever reaches your muscles.

But, the percentage that is absorbed into the body is enough and ethyl ester would be a waste of money.

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

But, the percentage that is absorbed into the body is enough and ethyl ester would be a waste of money.:withstupi

[BigBoostin98]

i went and talked with a very knowlegable guy at GNC, and with out trying to sell me anything gave me his non-biased opinion, not recommending any brands etc. (I told him I wasn't buying anything). Now I'm not arguing with you guys because I am not that knowegable...but here it is

He said that the main problem with monohydrate is the fact that in order to get it efficiently delivered throughout your body you have to take in excessive amounts of suger which acts as a delivery system, practically the same amount as drinking a sh** load of soda everyday. He along with the guys at vitamine shoppe said essentially the same thing. What are your opinions on this? He also said that the real reason why people are so against the over priced ethyl-ester is because there hasnt been enough research on the results, where as monohydrate has been around for a while and is proven to give results, just not as much as ethyl-ester.

Thanks for the help guys

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

i went and talked with a very knowlegable guy at GNCThat was your first mistake.



He said that the main problem with monohydrate is the fact that in order to get it efficiently delivered throughout your body you have to take in excessive amounts of suger which acts as a delivery system, practically the same amount as drinking a sh** load of soda everyday.That is really stupid. You can just mix it with some Gatorade or whatever you prefer. I don't know what regions of their arse they pulled that from.

[BigBoostin98]

so if im going to give monohydrate a shot (since I dont wanna spend a fortune on ethyl) would it be best to drink it with gatorade, and is there any actual amount of sugar I am supposed to be taking in for it to be effective? Baically is there any certain way to get the most out of monohydrate, because the bottle doesn't explain much. Feel free to link me to a site, i'v read a few, any more?

[cosmicdebree88]

Ok, people keep saying that the issue with CEE is price. But, it's really not that much more expensive than the monohydrate.

http://www.bulknutrition.com/?products_id=1618

The real issue with this stuff IMO is that you have to choke down this horribly acidic powder which my common sense tells me is not healthy for your teeth or your body in general.


Baically is there any certain way to get the most out of monohydrate, because the bottle doesn't explain much. Feel free to link me to a site, i'v read a few, any more?

From my experience it's basically just the same **** no matter what you do. However, following the advice of others I take my 5g after I lift with my protein shake. On days I don't lift I just take it with a shake whenever I decide to have my shake.

[Holto]

There is zero evidence that creatine monohydrated requires carbs in any way.

It's all hype by the supp industry trying to get us to pay a 1200% markup on sugar.

It's BS.

I had to stop training for 2 years due to injury. I started creatine during that time and it effected me cognitively within 2-3 days taking it on an empty stomach in the morning.

[djreef]

I had to stop training for 2 years due to injury. I started creatine during that time and it effected me cognitively within 2-3 days taking it on an empty stomach in the morning.

I thought you were smarter this time around.

DJ

[snap-hiss]

This is what I don't like about creatine. I've been considering taking it for months now, but I keep hearing different answers all the time.

some say load, some say don't

some say carbs are nessessary, some say they aren't

some say monohydrate is fine, some say ethyl ester is much better

How does one know what to believe?

[Shaggy]

I rarely post here any more, but on reading this thread I suddenley had the urge once more.

All I can say to you fellas is don't knock it till you try it...I'm refering to CEE.

I took regular creapure for 10 years and I agree it does produce some results, but for me it bloated me up and made my guts churn..and the smell, nuff said!!

OK I've read no clinical studies proving CEE is better or worse, but I'm always sceptical of any trials revolving around the supplement industry as sooo many are so distorted they're laughable. I have read some of the science behind CEE and that was enough to persuade me to give it a go.

The results I have seen with it have been tremendous, 10kg (110 x 6 to 120 x 6) on my bench; weight up a modest, but lean 5lb in 4 weeks. With mono I would stick over half a stone on in a fortnight for minimal strength returns. The pumps and energy I get in the gym are something I've never felt off any other supplement and believe me I've tried the lot.

I think the difference I have felt far outweighs the small increase in cost, the stuff's cheap as chips on the internet, I only pay a fiver for 120 capsules. (3 weeks supply)

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

How does one know what to believe?The heavy research behind creatine monohydrate...

[snap-hiss]

The heavy research behind creatine monohydrate...

So this research says what about my questions?

[Duffman]

kind of off topic but how long does creatine stay in your system after you stop taking it? i havent taken any in almost a month and i have read alot of places that you should lose a small amount of strength when you go off of it but i have actually been getting stronger.