For those who have used it, do you suggest an 18 year old trying to pump up his body use it?

If you've just started lifting, I wouldn't recommend it.

I've used it once (I'm 19). It was pretty effective in that I lifted more weight within a few days. I didn't notice any significant changes to my body visually. However, I decided to stop after a month. It has some bad rap with kidney stones (although not proven but people have been known to develop kidney stones with creatine use). If you do use it, you should drink plenty of water and cycle it.

PS. Once I stopped using it, I felt a bit weaker in the gym.

BAH.. 2 things man. Creatine takes a while to saturate your muscles so if you noticed increases within a few days, it was likely just a good lifting day (unless you are referring to after you loaded it you noticed a change.)
And also, Great point about the water. YOU HAVE TO STAY HYDRATED especially when you are on creatine otherwise your kidneys will not be happy. But cycling, from what I understand is not necessary. Im not calling you out but I have never read a scientific publication stating that creatine becomes less effective over time, and your body does not get 'used to it'.. If you live healthy and drink water and stay away from alcohol and other dehydrating substances.. You will be fine.

This brings up an interesting point. I am not currently taking creatine cause I cutting now and dont really see a need to get stronger at the moment. Eventually my goals will change and I planned on trying creatine for a while. But i do have a few beers every once in a while, would this be something to worry about if this was the case?

Yeah my strength gain was definitely achieved during my loading phase about 20 g a day. I had an extra 3 reps or so on my bench so it was definitely working. As for the cycling...eh...it's controversial. There are some studies promoting cycling stating that the creatine transporter is negatively affected with long term use...and of course there are mixed reports stating it does nothing...but for the most part, one was not significantly better than the other. Personally, I'd rather ingest the least amount possible just to reduce possible side effects.

Yea, I'm taking it right now, and I'm 19 years old, and have already been lifting for 6 months. Creatine is naturally produced in the body, but by taking it, it's just putting more in there. Basically it does 3 things. Mostly it repairs the muscles very efficiently, but it also gives you some more energy by helping you break down ATP, aka stored energy. About 50% of muscles are made up of water. Creatine also helps to retain water into the muscles. When you first start taking it you have to load for 3 days or a week or whatever. What it does, is it flushes all the water out of the system, so in other works, you're going to have to take a fat crap about 20 minutes after taking it, hehe. But after that, you need to drink lots of water. Instead of 8 glasses, drink more like 12-15. If you don't drink enough water you'll get dehydrated and your muscles will start cramping up. My creatine is pretty expensive, so that may be why I don't have to drink a heck of a lot of water for me to be ok. But it does work. Last friday I was only able to do 5 reps of 185, and the next time I walked in, I was able to do 10 reps. Then I was able to do 5 reps of 205. I was so pumped.

fair enough bro..

Adumb, creatine is creatine.. transport, effervescent, all those magically bonded creatines.. they are still creatine, they are still processed and you still need to consume lots of water. Which creatine are you on right now that means you dont need to drink much water? I was also not aware that creatine flushed all the water out of your system..

also what kind of creatine do yo use because most creatine isn't that expensive. mine was like 20 bucks for 200 servings.

Monohydrate - although nothing has been proven, its the most widely used source.

Steve.

Nothing has been proven?
Actually monohydrate is the one that is proven, the other questionable creatines are the ones that have been bonded with yaddy yaddy and are 100% absorbed. There are patents, but I dont see anything proving that they convert to creatinine less than mono..
And for those who argue that the patent is proof.. sorry, it takes a little more than a patent. They can patent the action of bonding cells or whatever.. but that doesnt really mean anything. I have seen more patented bs machines and supps than I have good ones.

well i guess we all learn something new everyday

Thanks!

My creatine is a GNC brand called nitro explosion. Regular price is $60 but I got it for $36. It doesn't necessarily say you need to drink less water, it's just that I haven't had many issues with cramping up. I drink a lot of water anyway so that could also be why I'm alright. It's actually a diaherretic, or however you spell that. It flushes the water out, and then retains whatever water comes in after that. Flushing means watery poopy, which leads to dehydration. It's not like a laxative, it rids it pretty quick. I just notice that everytime I take it, I gotta go!

that is not a common effect as far as I know.. perhaps this is just a personal reaction to either the creatine or one of the other 'enhancers' in your creatine mix. Just a thought..

just use the cheapest creatine monohydrate you can find its as good as the expensive .here is some good info on how it works for weight trainers.

http://www.hypertrophy-specific.com/...dex.html#art_1

http://www.hypertrophy-specific.com/...dex.html#art_2

http://www.hypertrophy-specific.com/...dex.html#art_2

http://www.hypertrophy-specific.com/...dex.html#art_2
http://www.hypertrophy-specific.com/...dex.html#art_1

If referring to the "poop's", its more common than you think. I to suffered from it, although it did get better.

http://www.creatinemonohydrate.net/c...formation%2011

http://www.trulyhuge.com/creatine.htm

http://www.bodybuildingforyou.com/cr...de-effects.htm

http://www.shapefit.com/exercise-que...e-effects.html

http://www.coachmeyer.com/articles/creatine.html

Just to name a few resources.

I guess by looking at these reports, its usually happens with 'over dosage'.