Question from a new guy - can't find answer

[Griz]

O.K., yup - it's about creatine I've searched around and unless I'm blind I can't find anything specifically addressing these questions (or the answers are a bit ambiguous):

1. Does creatine inhibit your appearance due to water retention by giving the appearance of greater body fat, or increasing body fat outright?

2. Does it ONLY increase your muscles due to water ret. or your other tissues too (ie. fat)?

3. I've heard both ways that you can, and can not use it during cutting phase which is it?

Any help on the some old creatine question(s) (which everyone is sick to death of I know...sorry)?

Thanks anyone (and Hi to everyone too)

 

[Holz61]

good questions

I want to know the answers as well, for I am losing weight for a bp competition but I was wondering if taking some creatine might help keep up my strength while I lose weight.

Eazy

 

[gsxr1000]

Typically creatine can cause you to hold some additional water subcutaneously, for me, it's never been so much that it makes me look fat though. I think different people react to it differently.

I don't believe that creatine causes actualy protein (muscle) synthesis in the way that AAS does. It does cause your muscles to hold more water volume in them which in turn gives you a fuller appearance. However, it also allows you to train harder which is necessary, obviously, to gain muscle size.

I've used it during cutting phases all the time and was able to maintain about a 7-9% BF which isn't too bad. If you're going for extreme cutting like for a show (4-5% BF) then I'd probably cut it out when you get into those last few weeks to get rid of water retention.
Hope that helps.

 

[Fyre]

Hey guys. I guess the easiest way to describe the role of creatine is to say that creatine absorbs more water to the muscle. The more water in the muscle, the more stress on the muscle, the more stress on the muscle, the more growth!
Does that make sense? You really need to drink a lot of water while taking creatine to get the best benefits.
I'd tend to agree with gsxr1000 that if you plan on doing a show, you'd definitely cut it out like two weeks before the show to flush any excess water. You may feel a little "mushy" while taking creatine but it's not going to make you fat. Just make sure you drink lots of water while taking it.
I think it's great for a little kick for the gym but I much prefer glutamine to creatine.