[stana (OP)]

Hey Guys. Just got a few questions about Creatine Monohydrate.

1) I tried to buy some from a local shop. But i was told i needed to be 16 to use them, else if i used them they would, and i quote "Corrupt my bowels" Now, reading about creatine monohydrate on wikipedia, and body building websites, i was told all it does is do something to my water retention, and that kids at the age of 12-13 can use creatine Monohydrate?

2) How long does it take for me to see the effects of creatine Monohydrate?

3) Does Creatine Monohydrate have any side effects?

4) Can i overdose on Creatine Monohydrate?

5) If i used Creatine Monohydrate for years will i keep getting bigger? Or will i get to a certain size and stop?

6) When should i take Creatine Monohydrate. I read that it was a good idea to take a capsule an HOUR before exercise. And then that would give me 50 more minutes to use the creatine. Yet i was told by a friend to take it 15 minutes before any exercise. Whats the truth?

7) How many times a day should i take it?

Thats all. Thanks for all your answers and comments

[stana (OP)]

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[stana (OP)]

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[another_someone]

The only reference to Creatine with regards to body building (rather than for therapeutic purposes) that I can find on Wikipedia (and so I assume it is the one you are referring to) is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodybuilding_supplement#Creatine

Creatine is an organic acid naturally occurring in the body that supplies energy to muscle cells for short bursts of energy (such as lifting weights) via creatine phosphate replenishment of ATP. A number of scientific studies have proven that creatine can increase strength, energy, and muscle mass in addition to reducing recovery time. Also, recent studies have shown that creatine improves brain function,[4] improves recognition memory, and reduces mental fatigue. It increases what is known as cell volumization by drawing water into muscle cells, making them larger. This intracellular retention should not be confused with the common myth that creatine causes bloating (or intercellular water retention). Creatine is sold in a variety of forms, including Creatine monohydrate, Creatine ethyl ester and Creatine malate, among others. Though all types of creatine are sold for the same purposes, there are subtle differences between them, such as price, and necessary dosage. Non-supplemental suppliers of creatine include various types of offal, red meat, and kidney meat.

Claims that creatine could be stressful to the kidneys (due to primary renal elimination via creatinine) have not been proven in a scientific study, although no independent, large-scale survey has been conducted.  However in most studies that have been carried out about creatine they have found an increased amount of muscle cramping due to the water retention changes.

On the other hand, there is mention of muscle cramping - and so this might at very least cause problems.

There is a general problem that any drug will be of a higher risk to a smaller, younger, body (particularly as the body is still growing, and adapting to its environment, and if it is given a highly distorted environment in which to adapt itself, it could have long term effects for the later adult body); and that most testing tends to be done on adult bodies, so generally there is less reliable information on the effects of drugs and supplements on younger persons.