- Creatine is a popular supplement with athletes and bodybuilders.
- Liquid creatine is a convenient alternative to having to mix powdered creatine on the go.
- Results are inconclusive as to whether liquid creatine is more or less effective than powdered creatine.
The benefit to using liquid creatine is that you can take your creatine on the go without having to take a shaker bottle, the creatine powder or, of course, the liquid you are choosing to mix the creatine powder with. Being able to throw your creatine into your purse or gym bag is convenient.
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Are There Benefits to Using Liquid Creatine Over a Powder?
Because there’s no data on the benefits of taking liquid creatine, it’s difficult to substantiate any claims about liquid creatine.
Manufactures of liquid creatine claim that when you use liquid creatine, your body gets instant benefits because the liquid is absorbed immediately into your muscles.
What’s more, many claim it can take almost 2 months for powder creatine products to take effect.
There is nothing to support claims like these — not just about the liquid creatine, but about the slow absorption rate of the powder creatine option as well.
People who use powder creatine supplements would certainly argue that it didn’t take weeks, or months, for them to feel the benefits of their supplementation.
Creatine liquid is taken in drops rather than as a drink. Simply put, you place 10 to 30 drops — depending on the product — under your tongue and then allow the creatine to be absorbed.
Make sure you drink plenty of water while using creatine supplements since they can cause dehydration.
Are Their Downsides to Using Liquid Creatine?
One downside to using any liquid is that it has to be preserved. What this means is that something extra is added to ensure the stability of the creatine. Without a preservative, the creatine will not be stable.
Unstable creatine is not dangerous, per se, it simply means that you are getting less creatine per drop than what the bottle actually claims you are getting.
The problem with additives is that they could very well be compromising the strength of the creatine, so it’s a lose/lose in this respect.
Should I Be Supplementing With Creatine at All?
Opinions vary among medical professionals on whether creatine is beneficial, but most seem to agree the benefits outweigh the risks.
First of all, there are very few scientific studies on creatine supplementation, and the studies that have been conducted are inconclusive as to the benefits.
And most of the studies conducted so far are from short-term use. You are stuck either constantly using creatine to maintain or you stop and face losing the gains you have achieved.
The Mayo Clinic supports the use of creatine. They claim there are enough high-level studies supporting the claims that creatine can help increase muscle mass by aiding in less muscle fatigue and increased workout times.
Current studies on creatine usage, however, don’t take into account fitness levels, age, or health concerns of the people who participated in the studies. By adding such details, the real benefits or drawbacks could be revealed.
Many sports doctors do recommend the use of creatine supplements. But you should never exceed the recommended dosage to ensure that you don’t cause yourself harm.
The truth is that tens of thousands of weightlifters and athletes swear by the benefits of creatine.
Most doctors don’t see the harm in short-term moderate use, and when used this way, it is a safe supplement. It is when you start going off-label that you may face serious side effects.
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Sign UpDoes Liquid Creatine Interfere With Any Medications?
Liquid creatine does interfere with certain medications, so if you are taking any, you should talk to your doctor about interactions before you start supplementing.
If you are taking diuretics, kidney medication, liver medication, diabetes medication, or medication for high blood pressure, you should not be using creatine supplements.
What’s more, creatine also exacerbates certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease. However, it can help strengthen the heart — according to the Mayo Clinic — so there is that to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
– What are the benefits of creatine?
Creatine helps you build muscle. Research has shown that people with more muscle tend to have a higher metabolism, allowing them to use calories from food intake more effectively. In short, when you have more muscle you burn fat easier.
– Do I have to take supplements?
Unless your doctor has instructed you to take certain supplements, you do not have to take them.
– Are supplements safe?
Whether or not dietary supplements are safe to take depends on a number of factors. Learn more about the safety of supplements here.
– What supplements do I need to take?
No one can answer that aside from your doctor. To learn more about the various supplements that doctors commonly recommend, check out this article.
Don’t forget that taking any supplement, for whatever reason, is just one part of an overall healthy lifestyle. If you’re looking to maintain a healthy fitness regimen, consider checking out our PRO Plan today!