Stopping Creatine

[pat dasein]

I've heard from several peers that once you stop using creatine you "loose everything." What I think they mean is that gains in muscle you made will eventually disappear because you no longer have the chemical in your system to support them.

How can this be true? If I have gained x amount of muscle using creatine, shouldn't I then have the strength to maintain it if I continue the same workout schedule I was on before ceasing to use creatine?

The only drawback to quitting creatine that makes sense to me is that I just won't build muscle as quickly.

Tell me if I'm missing something.

[jasthace]

When you take a supplement,you are administering a dose of a substance that your body does not produce naturally in theses higher doses.
So when the additional external dose is removed and reserves diminish, your body will eventually return to the state of naturally production.
It's like putting high octane fuel in you car............

[roadkill]

Two things about creatine....increase in atp and muscle cell H2O volume. Increase atp allows for more forceful muscle contractions and muscle energy output, therefor your max weights increase and you get more reps with a given weight. Take away the creatine and atp levels return to normal so strength and muscle endurance are no longer enhanced. Water uptake increases in the muscle with creatine as well. Again, take away the creatine, lose the water which gives a feeling of fullness and size to the muscle. It's fun while it lasts but it's over just as quickly.

[advanced-stealth]

Originally Posted by jasthace

When you take a supplement,you are administering a dose of a substance that your body does not produce naturally in theses higher doses.
So when the additional external dose is removed and reserves diminish, your body will eventually return to the state of naturally production.
It's like putting high octane fuel in you car............

Stated perfectly!

[pat dasein]

Well that's dissappointing. Thanks for the info.

[pat dasein]

Ok just to add...

"It's like putting high octane fuel in you car............"

I always assumed that using creatine was like adding miracle grow to your gardens watering schedule: the development of the plants will increase, but when you stop using miracle grow they won't revert back to their original size. I just wanted to explain that - don't laugh too hard at my analogy or my obvious lack of understanding when it comes to how the body works.

[jasthace]

Originally Posted by pat dasein

Ok just to add...

I always assumed that using creatine was like adding miracle grow to your gardens watering schedule: the development of the plants will increase, but when you stop using miracle grow they won't revert back to their original size. I just wanted to explain that - don't laugh too hard at my analogy or my obvious lack of understanding when it comes to how the body works.

You're getting confused with human growth hormone and derivatives,they're the only substances that I know of on the market that cause muscle cell proliferation {growth of new muscle cells}.
All other supplements including AAS just temporarily swell {rudimentary explanation} up the cells you already have.
But you are correct ; it is a bloody great disappointment.

[FiberSynk]

Well fist off creatine is not an active chemical, I think someone already mentioned its simply a moderatley important part of the ATP procces, well the anerobic resperation anyways. Its comverted into Creatine phosphate which essentially enhances the recyling properties of ADP (diphosphate into triphosphate, your body loses a phospate to make heat)ito ATP
Thimg with creatine is, the loading phases are total bogus, depending on your genetics and size you can only absorb so much, and it AINt 20 grams a day. I could link you a study with loading and non loading of healthy men and after 30 days serum levels were identical except hte non loading phase had consumed about 25% of the loading group. Also creatine manufacturing/storage is stressfull on the kidneys.
Also, it takes about 60 days to reach peak serum levels even taking up to 15 grams a day and as low as 3. It also takes about 30 days for levels to return to baseline after ceasing. SO if you think you notice an immedeate effect its placebo. Also, exercising doesnt "use up' creatine, its not like a calorie.....]
Also, there are several other pathways other than phosphates which work fine for anerobic resperation, in fact creatine supplimentation is hardly required, much less important that BCAA, glutamine and protein, if you insist Id stay below or at 5 grams per day, anymore and you have just increased the value of your urine, grats.

Also someone mentioned increased actual max lift increases? That has been found but its purely nerological, your body already has creatine phosphate in plentiful ammounts stored away, unless your a vegan and vegitarian and you dont consume any animal tissue or suplimment. More creatine means faster recovery it also yes does increase reps with a given weight only because the muscle can work longer because it has deeper reserves of phospates inside it, thats over simplified. But there is no legal suppliment you can take and walk in and lift more weight instantly. The bloating and cramping can be solved with keeping the ammount at or under 5 grams, and staying hydrated.
Also dont use any esters or liquid forms, monohydrate is still the best and cheapest.

[bigbench]

Very good input there FS. There is something taht I want to add that sort of everyone is going with that is not really the case here. Everyone is saying that you will revert completely back to what you were after you stop creatine usage. Well, although you will not be at the same level you were while on, you will still be ahead. Same thing when cycling. You might lose some when you come off, but your still ahead of where you were when you started. First off, your right, creatine relates to ATP production which stated above means you can move the same weight for more reps. You also have more fuel to get a few more sets in. Those two factors right there mean that you are breaking down more muscle fibers than you normally would. If you are resting and eating right, that means that your body is building back strong and faster than normal also. Yes, you have initaial weight gain which is pure water weight, but that water is what helps shuttle proteins and carbs into the muscle cells. This process helps repair those damages muscles to get them back larger and stronger than before. Also, if most of you are aware, that lifting is very much due to leverage and physcics. The more you have to push, the more you can push. Again, BB's on cycles know that they are much stronger when they hold a lot of water because it is making their muscles larger. So, with all these factors, yes, you are going to lose a little bit of ur rep strength, and some water weight. But dont think for a second that if you have been taking it for six months that you are going to revert to exactly where you were before you started. And again, what FS said, loading is a waste and over dosing is a waste!