Is creatine FDA approved?
367767
Doesn't creatine naturally occur in our bodies when we eat lots of meat? I think that's correct, and if it is, then the FDA doesn't need to approve it and it obviously safe.\n\nDo a search for it... make sure.
1023632
Creatine is a natural enzyme found in all our bodies. In the aerobic respiration within our muscles, it gives us that initial jolt of energy without using up any ATP's. However, this only last for 15-20 seconds. Also, as long as you aren't taking the supplement then the baby won't be exposed to it.
83041
Ranexa (ranolazine) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on January 27, 2006. Look at http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060127/sff033.html?.v=29
33972
As far as I know, there's no documented adverse creatine side effects - only desirable side effects of creatine. I've used it personally with great results.\n\nExtensive experiments have been done to test creatine side effects on humans, and the only documented adverse effect of creatine supplementation is an increase in body mass.\n\nAlso take caution as there are no long term studies on high dosage effects on creatine use. So its recommended that you follow the instructions on the label and don't over do it. \n\nAlways use as directed, at your own risk and always weight train safely.\n\nThe National Strength and Conditioning Association has several scientific publications on creatine.\nhttp://nsca-lift.org/
1080233
Obviously you cannot use any illegal substance. Many supplements are also banned from use by military members due to increasing concerns over their safety. After all, what good are you if you might fall over dead from heart attack at 24? Some specifically banned supplements include: steroids, ephedra and androsteindione, methoxyisoflavone and ecdysterone. Theses are not the only ones, the list goes on and on. Flip through a muscle-building catalog and chances are most, if not all, of the "muscle-building" products are no longer allowed. If you do join the military, it would be best to stick to a multivitamin only.\n\nIf you have a question about a specific supplement, you can contact an Air Force Recruiter, who would be able to tell you the current Air Force policy. The recruiter may also have information on the types of supplements that are banned.
1114526
I'm very cautious about taking supplements for the same reason you are.  I always do as much research as I can before taking anything to make sure I know about all of the possible supplements.  Right now the only supplements I am taking are all considered food supplements, creatine being one of them.\n\nCreatine is produced naturally in your body, as well as acquired when you eat meat.  It is converted into phosphocreatine and then used to replenish ATP stores after they are used for energy.  By taking creatine supplementation you can increase your creatine stores and thus increase your workout capacity.\n\nCreatine is also known to cause cell volumization, as it causes the muscles to hold more water. Note that this is different the water retention, as water retention is when water is retained on the outside of the cells, causing the muscles to lose definition and look smoother. Cell volumization pulls the water into the cells and causes the muscles to look harder.  There are also studies that have come to light recently that show that cell volumization can make protein synthesis more productive. In theory this could mean that creatine could directly help you build muscle, but more research needs to be done to prove this effect.\n\nCreatine is also a very safe substance to supplement. While there are rumors of some side effects, such as muscle cramping, kidney problems, etc, no studies have actually proved these to be actual risks. One possible risk is the down regulation of the creatine transporters due to oversupplementation, but if you follow the recommended guidelines you shouldn't have to worry about that effect. To be safe you should actually take less creatine than most manufacturers recommend, though. Studies have shown that your body can absorb a lot less than most companies suggest you take anyway. They have found that your body is unable to absorb more than 3-5 grams of creatine per day after you have finished loading. To top that off, after working out you are capable of absorbing up to 10% more than your normal maximum capacitiy. They estamate that you only use 3% of your creatine stores when you don't work out. That means that if you are fully loaded and then take creatine after working out you will have more creatine than you body can obsorb for the next 3-4 days or until you work out again. Bottom line: after loading it is only necessary to take creatine after working out. I only take about 5 grams after I work out to replenish the creatine I have used.
692050
they are all pretty competative. i used to use now sports micronized creatine. its 100% pure creatine powder and works pretty good. the time you take it also depends. take it just before your work out. dont take it unless your working out and definatley under no circumstances forget to drink plenty of water with this stuff. i mean at least a gallon a day 2 is more sufficient. and start off small.
210721
Creatine actually does work, if you cycle it correctly. It helps your endurance when working out & helps you bulk up faster. Check out the links.
1157265
Creatine monohydrate is legal and probably safe.
1174109
Creatine and amino acids serve different purposes.  I don't take amino acid supplementation, so I haven't done much research on it, but I am taking creatine and have done a lot of reading on it.\n\nCreatine is a natural substance that you obtain from your diet and can make yourself.  Creatine's primary purpose in weightlifting is to replenish ATP stores during intense activity.  By taking creatine supplementation you can increase your creatine stores by up to 40% (depending on how much you are already getting in your diet).  This will allow you to work out harder longer and get better results from your training.\n\nCreatine is also known to cause cell volumization, as it causes the muscles to hold more water.  Note that this is different the water retention, as water retention is when water is retained on the outside of the cells, causing the muscles to lose definition and look smoother.  Cell volumization pulls the water into the cells and causes the muscles to look harder.\n\nThere are also studies that have come to light recently that show that cell volumization can make protein synthesis more productive.  In theory this could mean that creatine could directly help you build muscle, but more research needs to be done to prove this effect.\n\nCreatine is also a very safe substance to supplement.  While there are rumors of some side effects, such as muscle cramping, kidney problems, etc, no studies have actually proved these to be actual risks.  One possible risk is the down regulation of the creatine transporters due to oversupplementation, but if you follow the recommended guidelines you shouldn't have to worry about that effect.  To be safe you should actually take less creatine than most manufacturers recommend, though.  Studies have shown that your body can absorb a lot less than most companies suggest you take anyway.  They have found that your body is unable to absorb more than 3-5 grams of creatine per day after you have finished loading.  To top that off, after working out you are capable of absorbing up to 10% more than your normal maximum capacitiy.  They estamate that you only use 3% of your creatine stores when you don't work out.  That means that if you are fully loaded and then take creatine after working out you will have more creatine than you body can obsorb for the next 3-4 days or until you work out again.  Bottom line: after loading it is only necessary to take creatine after working out.  I only take about 5 grams after I work out to replenish the creatine I have used.\n\nAs far as amino acids go, do some research and see what the benefits are to you.  I've already found an article that proved to me that glutamine is a waste of money, but I haven't researced any of the other availlable products.
262531
Creatine is legal cause its a substance thats in food too, so it wouldn't be illegal, but if they banned it we would starve...
274204
creatine just causes your body to put water into the muscle....which makes muscles look bigger, but doesn't truely do anything for strength.
416257
This involves years and years of development and testing, and unfortunately it can't be stated in just a few paragraphs in a forum like this. I suggest doing some research online for "FDA Approval Process" and "Guidelines," as the paperwork available for this is somewhere in the thousands of pages.
658845
FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering "conventional" foods and drug products (prescription and Over-the-Counter). Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), the dietary supplement manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed. FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market. Generally, manufacturers do not need to register their products with FDA nor get FDA approval before producing or selling dietary supplements.* Manufacturers must make sure that product label information is truthful and not misleading. \n\nFDA's post-marketing responsibilities include monitoring safety, e.g. voluntary dietary supplement adverse event reporting, and product information, such as labeling, claims, package inserts, and accompanying literature. The Federal Trade Commission regulates dietary supplement advertising. \n\n*Domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture/process, pack, or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States are required to register their facility with the FDA. For more information, see Registration of Food Facilities.
553792
No they do not have to put all the ingredients on the package just the active ones. Anything can be listed as inert ingredients. Actually Johnson’s Baby Shampoo has Formaldehyde it uses the name quaternium-15. The link is below, you can check the bottle if you like. The FDA has extremely limited power. Here are the facts.\n The FDA cannot regulate a personal care product until it has been released into the marketplace.\n Neither personal care products nor their ingredients are reviewed or approved before they are sold to people.\n The FDA cannot require companies to do safety testing their personal care products before they are sold to people.\n The FDA cannot require recalls of harmful personal care products from the marketplace.\n The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analyzed 2,983 chemicals used in personal care products and found that-\n- 884 of the chemicals were toxic\n- 314 caused biological mutation\n- 218 caused reproductive complications\n- 778 caused acute toxicity\n- 148 caused tumors\n- 376 caused skin and eye irritations\n \n There are some disturbing facts-\n- A product that kill 50% of lab animals through ingestion or inhalation can still receive the federal regulatory designation "non-toxic"\n- Of the 17,000 chemicals that appear in common household products, only 30% have been adequately tested for their side effects on our health; less than 10% have been tested for their effects on the nervous system, and nothing is known about the combined effects of these chemicals when mixed in our bodies.\n- No law requires manufactures to list the exact ingredients on the label.\n\n I do not know what chemical is the numbing agent in Johnson’s baby shampoo but I have also heard that there is one. All a company has to list is active ingredients; the inert ingredients can be almost anything. Companies use trade names for hazardous chemicals such as quaternium-15 so we do not know what it actually is. Also companies are only required to list short-term effects of using their products and are not required to list effects of long-term exposure. This is no conspiracy theory it is politics, money greasing the right hands and turning a blind eye. I believe in a free market but not a hazardous one. Switching from personal care products has improved the health of everyone in my household but most of all my wife, she has had Migraines for years and the day we got all of these products out of our house they stopped cold! I can supply info on healthy alternatives for people that care about their health. In most cases these products cost much less than store brands and work better.
561403
Creatine is fine for anyone of any age. It it is a supplemental form of creatine that is found in meat and fish. "Loading" ( lots during the first week ) is usually a great way to sell you more creatine, so I'd ignore it if I were you. You might benefit from the extra pump you'll get, especially since testosterone levels steadily decrease after 30. Drink LOTS of water with it during the day, or you won't feel any results.\nWhey protein is a great way to supplement your protein intake. Designer Whey is a great brand. Start with small amounts, as it may take your system a couple of weeks to adjust to the new digestion requirements. It can make you gassy at first. This is normal.\nEat healthy meals - 4 to 5 times a day and use these as supplements, and you'll enjoy your work outs and new muscle definition more!\nGood luck!
43625
Creatine is overrated, you have to take it all the time to keep you're results you gain from it. But I would suggest Cell-Tech if you don't mind drinking it every day.