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Why load creatine?

davemust2000 Posts: 2 Joined: 2003/03/27	2003/04/11, 05:23 PM I was thinking a little bit about the loading phase of creatine... why would you have to go to 3 or 4 servings a day for the first few days of creatine then go back to 1 serving a day but if you skip just one day then you lose all of it. Mabe the guy I asked gave me bad information but just wanted to know if somebody could help clear me up on if creatine just wants to sell more powder or if the loading phases are important. thanks
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/04/11, 05:46 PM The loading pahse is indeed important, the idea is to build up ATP stores in the muscles. You use substantial amounts of it very quickly with hard heavy workouts. thus the loading phase, to build up stores, and then the maintenance phase is just to replenish daily consumption.I don't know that one day of missing loading will result in losing everything you have done, maybe if the first or second day, but if I were you I would at least pick up again with the loading phase. I find an easy way to remember is just to have your 4 servings with 4 of your meals. Now there are some that will have you believe no loading is needed, but why would this be? Be safe, load. You have to eat, so therefore it is an easy time to remember. -------------- The one goal you will NEVER achieve is the one you never attempt.
davemust2000 Posts: 2 Joined: 2003/03/27	2003/04/11, 07:06 PM Awsome thanks alot bb1ft for the quick reply and helpful answer, ill start to load tommarrow I only took a couple scoups so far so I should be good. BTW best weightlifting message board :)
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/04/11, 07:58 PM Well, thanks for that last comment from all of us at FT. Makes all we do worthwhile! -------------- The one goal you will NEVER achieve is the one you never attempt.
oxdp954 Posts: 38 Joined: 2003/03/12	2003/04/12, 11:28 AM Check out this web page concerning creatine loading: www.absolute-creatine.com/5.htm
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/04/13, 10:47 AM oxdp954, great website. I read that article, and one thing I came away with is they really don't know! As with anything, if you look hard enough you can probably find an argument to fit any side you choose to take. But, in my eyes, loading is a tried and true method we all know works. Will it cost more if you don't load, and it doesn't work, so you have to go out and buy more to load anyway? Creatine is very cheap these days, does it really cost that much for 15 more servings(3 more servings per day for 5 days beyond what you normally do for maintenance) to be used and you know it is going to work? Just some thoughts. -------------- The one goal you will NEVER achieve is the one you never attempt.