Creatine and Kidneys??

[descanting]

I've been taking creatine pretty much since I've started bodybuilding 8 years ago.. I don't really cycle it. I take it pretty constantly, but not everyday of the week. I usually take about 5 grams on the days I workout which equates to 3-4 days a week.

But I'm ready negative stuff about it's effect on the kidneys for example. It's making me kinda nervous, especially that I have alot of kidney problems on my mother's side of the familly. On 9, about half of them have kidney transplants.

I would like some reassurance, or I'm gonna simply stop the stuff to my dismay. Which would suck, cause I like creatine.

 

[mrzap]

I haven't heard any studies saying it is outright bad for them. Then again there are no studies on the long term effects. Cycling would seem to be the smarter thing to do.

 

[Synpax]

You should cycle, not just to limit potential damage (?) but so that your body doesn't entirely adapt to it and you can still get a benefit from it.

 

[dr0832]

I have a friend that took it without cycling and had some major kidney problems. I am not exactly sure on the details.

 

[descanting]

And cycling would look like what?

 

[joltman]

there is a study that states that longterm creatine uses with as little as 5 grams a day for I think it was 10 years not sure about that last number. Anyway the study stated that it was no problem at all.

 

[joltman]

And cycling would look like what?

Usually 4-8 weeks on with 10-20grams daily divided into 2 intakes. One after your training, the other one at any given time.
Then as long oftime as you had ontime. Preferably stack it with fast carbs, ala, taurine, glutamin