Afternoon Ladies/Gents,
I’ve been taking 5g creatine monohydrate every day for approximately 2 years, whilst consistently training 3-4 days p/w. I’m a 35 yo male, 6ft, 190lbs.
I recently went on holiday for 2weeks and didn’t use any creatine. It got me thinking if my body’s natural production of creatine could be permanently switched off after prolonged use? I have read about permanent enzyme production changes in people who eliminate dairy from their diet and after a period of abstention cannot tolerate it at all.
What are your thoughts?
As an aside, I came down with manflu on holiday and felt knackered the whole time. I really struggled with some Bulgarian split suitcase squats
Lordlucan,
Thanks for the post and I hope you’re doing well.
To answer your question, yes the body’s production of creatine is decreased secondary to supplementation, but the best evidence we have on this is that it returns to baseline within a week or two after cessation of supplementing. There is no decrease in enzyme production with supplementation, as creatine and dairy are not the same things.
Also, what are Bulgarian split suitcase squats?
@Jordan_Feigenbaum I’ve been trying to do my own research into this matter. I did find one study on the effects of ceasing creatine supplementation located here:
Effect of ceasing creatine supplementation while maintaining resistance training in older men - PubMed.
Unfortunately this is only the abstract and I’m unable to look at the complete study from my work computer.
Do you have any other resources that discusses what you mentioned about levels returning to baseline? Or maybe other resources that discussing effects of ceasing creatine supplementation? Additionally, what are your thoughts on those BANG energy drinks. I’m not a fan of them and it’s pretty much the new fad around my work. Just looking for concrete data to maybe educate my co-workers on whether or not they should even be drinking this crazy product.
Thanks again.
-Chris