ok, whats the truth, is it good or bad for you?...I always thought creatine and citric acids didnt mix very well...but a friend of mine is taking creatine and a lot of juice, so I figured, eh, I'm a guy, I could be wrong. What is the truth?

Just take it with water. Most calories should be eaten not drank.

Actually, it is best taken with liquid products that contain sucrose. Fructose is okay too, but I wouldn't mix it with ornage juice. Too acidic...will upset your stomach if anything. I encourage you to take it with Gatorade, Power Ade, or grape juice.

I take mine with water, but I heard using orange juice with creatine isint as affective than with water or gatorade.

Why is orange juice bad for it?

I take mine with a banana milk shake.

Is this okay??

some says it bad because its too acidic but thats not universally accepted.

others say dont use it because of the fructose whereas grape juice has more dextrose than fructose. i agree with standapart to either use that or gatorade or powerade.

or just take it with your post training meal or shake.

yes, thats fine.

Isn't Gatorade pretty citric too though?I ask because I just gained access to a big ass container of phosphagen hp but I don't want to put it in something that will negate the positive effects.



Matt



Edit-One other question.Is the loading phase necessary or not?Thanks.

someone had presented charts and graphs with all this stuff plotted out on it and the bottom line was that its nothing to worry about. but with that being said, everyone agreed that no matter what you mix it with to drink it soon after. dont mix it and let it sit around for a few hours.

no, loading is not necessary. if one loads by consuming 20 grams a day for a week and another takes 3-5 grams a day, in roughly 30 days they're both at the same point. loading helps to saturate the muscles sooner of course but it all evens out in the end.

abear-Thanks for the quick response and the info.I appreciate it.As such, I won't bother with the loading phase.



Matt

I used to take pure creatine and try to mix it in grape juice, but it would never really desolve. I take creatine now that comes with dextrose and mix it in orange juice (only about 1/5 orange juice, 4/5th water). I thought the citric acid was good for the absorbtion?

Looking at the creatine I take again now, it contains citric acid as well.

any more opinions,...or facts?

Years ago I got a free sample of an 'effervescent' creatine formula. I put it in one of those Tupperware cups that has the seal-on lid. I mixed it with OJ, popped on the lid, shook that thing up and BLAMMO my kitchen was covered in sticky orange goo. Kinda like the urban legend of feeding alka seltzer to a seagull....except my experience really happened. I think there is still some of that crap behind the stove....

Any fast-acting carbohydrate source is the ideal choice, but almost any carbohydrate substance is a substantial step up from water. Basically, improving the transport of creatine monohydrate to its ultimate destination, the muscle cells, is dependent on the availability of insulin in the bloodstream. Insulin is released when the body senses large amounts of glucose (the broken-down form of carbohydrates) in the blood. It is then the job of insulin to transport the glucose into cells. Insulin however doesn't just take the glucose; it drives protein, fats, and other substances into the cells as well. And this includes creatine.

Since it's the presence of glucose that stimulates the insulin, you'll need carbohydrates mixed with your creatine. With many of Nutricraze's creatine products, this is already included. But with plain-old creatine monohydrate powder, you want to use the fastest acting carbohydrate source - the one that will release the most insulin. The best is probably grape juice, followed by orange juice (grapefruit and apple juice are a little slow). Basically, look for anything with a high simple sugar content, which includes sports drinks. A lot of fat and protein may slow down the insulin response to an extent. So if you're taking creatine post-workout, take it immediately with carbohydrates and wait 45-60 minutes before eating a large, protein-rich meal.