New Creatine vs. Old Creatine

Ya gotta love the guys marketing all the various supplements. So now
I'm being told this CE2 Rapid Absorption Ester Creatine from
Ethyl-Ester Hydrocholoride is better because it is faster absorbed and
does not produce water retention. OK, that's great but it's 5-6 times
expensive as the Creatine Monohydrate I would typically use (Weider is
fairly inexpensive as I recall) and more importantly, the guys at GNC
were saying that regular creatine is hard on the kidneys, which is
something I've never heard before.

I do not take large amounts of ANY creatine (never more than 5g a day
and not every day) and I am not a serious bodybuilder but I am
concerned about that particularly because I already take some
anti-inflammatory medicine for a herniated disc and don't want to end
up with kidney problems. Is there any truth to this statement?

Craig

http://www.pro-tape.com

"Mr. Tapeguy" <mr.tapeguy@pro-tape.com> wrote in message
news:1166984397.781598.278520@i12g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> Ya gotta love the guys marketing all the various supplements. So now
> I'm being told this CE2 Rapid Absorption Ester Creatine from
> Ethyl-Ester Hydrocholoride is better because it is faster absorbed and
> does not produce water retention. OK, that's great but it's 5-6 times
> expensive as the Creatine Monohydrate I would typically use (Weider is
> fairly inexpensive as I recall) and more importantly, the guys at GNC
> were saying that regular creatine is hard on the kidneys, which is
> something I've never heard before.
>
The blanket party that those GNC salesmen deserve might be hard on their
kidneys.

ATP* wrote:

> The blanket party that those GNC salesmen
> deserve might be hard on their kidneys.

As a former GNC salesman, I'd like to comment on that, ATP*.

PMs are the key to earning any kind of money at that job. So, given the
choice between encouraging a customer to purchase the 99-cent vitamin C
(which earned me nothing) versus the GNC BOGO EsterRoseHipWhatever
vitamin C (which earned me X cents or dollars), well, guess which one
got the hard sell?

The company needs the blanket party and not their employees, imo.

And caveat emptor is a good thing to keep in mind whenever you're a
customer dealing with a retailer. You know this. Unfortunately, not
eveyone does. And some customers are, I'm guessing - but it's a guess
based on solid and repeated experience - are not even remotely
associated with what I'd like to call REALITY.

To wit:

The customer who entered the store and asked me for the very best
product I had. I asked for a specific need or goal and was met by the
same words, something like, "Give me the very best product you have!"
After several rounds of fruitless customer to retail salesperson Q and
A, I finally reached to the shelf directly in front of me and handed
the man whatever was there. If I'd been the genuine ruthless GNC
salesperson, I'd've handed the (some might say insane) customer a
forty-dollar massager and made five bucks on the deal.

Or the man and woman who came shopping, she with long, thick, flowing
blonde hair and he carrying, say, 250 lbs. of broad-shouldered
masstrosity and asked for 1) a product that would help her to grow her
hair thicker and more luxuriant and 2) a product that would help him
gain additional muscle mass. Never mind the fact that the clerk they're
talking with is 6'1", much less than 200 lbs., with coat hanger
shoulders holding up a head that is sporting a patch of mange-looking
balding hair. Never mind that!

Customers can be idiots. But, hey, customers am peeple and me am, too.

That's why I recommend PLACEBO® Brand supplements.

Yes, PLACEBO® Brand supplements, utilizing the ultimate in Reverse
Psychology Technology™. If you think it's not working then it must
REALLY be working! Embracing the philosophy that money wasted is
actually money well spent. Buy it NOW, TODAY!

--
Curt

Curt wrote:
> ATP* wrote:
>
> > The blanket party that those GNC salesmen
> > deserve might be hard on their kidneys.
>
> As a former GNC salesman, I'd like to comment on that, ATP*.
>


An entertaining response Curt - I just hope there is someone out there
who can actually answer my original question.

Craig

http://www.pro-tape.com

"Mr. Tapeguy" <mr.tapeguy@pro-tape.com> wrote in message
news:1167014646.501173.200900@48g2000cwx.googlegro ups.com...
>
> Curt wrote:
>> ATP* wrote:
>>
>> > The blanket party that those GNC salesmen
>> > deserve might be hard on their kidneys.
>>
>> As a former GNC salesman, I'd like to comment on that, ATP*.
>>
>
>
> An entertaining response Curt - I just hope there is someone out there
> who can actually answer my original question.
>
> Craig
>
> http://www.pro-tape.com

It's bullshit- just one more phony reason to sell overpriced creatine. The
regular creatine has not been shown to hurt your kidneys, AFAIK, and there
damn sure isn't any evidence that some new and more expensive creatine is
safer. GNC con artists will say anything to sell their snake oil. Of course,
I am not advocating actual violence against any GNC staff- just indicating
what at least some of them deserve.

ATP* wrote:

>
> It's bullshit- just one more phony reason to sell overpriced creatine. The
> regular creatine has not been shown to hurt your kidneys, AFAIK, and there
> damn sure isn't any evidence that some new and more expensive creatine is
> safer. GNC con artists will say anything to sell their snake oil. Of course,
> I am not advocating actual violence against any GNC staff- just indicating
> what at least some of them deserve.

Thanks for the info. It confirms what I've already found - basically
nothing - to substantiate the claims. Of course the other
"advantages" such as faster absorption and no water retention have to
also be attributed to the manufacturer, in this case MRI.

Craig

http://www.pro-tape.com

ATP* wrote:
> "Mr. Tapeguy" wrote
> > Curt wrote:
> >> ATP* wrote:
> >>
> >> > The blanket party that those GNC salesmen
> >> > deserve might be hard on their kidneys.
> >>
> >> As a former GNC salesman, I'd like to comment on
> >> that, ATP*.

Blanket party.

(rolls eyes)

Lotsa angry people on Usenet.

> > An entertaining response Curt -

Merry Christmas, Craig.

> > I just hope there is someone out there who can actually
> > answer my original question.

http://www.google.com/search?q=creatine+dangers

Yeah, basic. But I doubt creatine can hurt you. Especially if you take
it as recommended.

Seriously, if you could overdose on supplements enough to blow up your
kidneys or heart or brain, well, as a teenager hell bent on becoming
Arnold Schwarzenegger and then as a GNC, um, con artist(?) selling
gallon upon gallon of snake oil(???), I'm guessing that I'd be dead
looooong ago. Just sayin'.

> It's bullshit- just one more phony reason to sell overpriced
> creatine. The regular creatine has not been shown to hurt
> your kidneys, AFAIK, and there damn sure isn't any evidence
> that some new and more expensive creatine is safer.

I suspect that's all true, however you may want to contact Will Brink.
He seems to have a thing or five to say about creatine.

> GNC con artists will say anything to sell their snake oil.

Everyone wants a magic pill. No one wants to work at getting more fit
or thinner or stronger. That's a foul generalization, of course, but
your - what I'd describe as - overreactive "con artists" and "snake
oil" is equally foul, ATP*.

> Of course, I am not advocating actual violence against
> any GNC staff- just indicating what at least some of
> them deserve.

Hey, most people deserve a good ass whuppin'. What have you done that'd
require a blanket party? C'mon. It's after midnight and so Santa's
probably already made his deliveries. I doubt he'll take any of your
gifts back at this point. So spill.

SPILL! D

--
Curt

Mr. Tapeguy wrote:
[...]

> Thanks for the info. It confirms what I've already
> found - basically nothing - to substantiate the claims.

Hey, still no solid facts, but I have a dose of Christmas empathy after
a fashion, Craig. Just purchased two bottles of Nutrex's Lipo 6
<http://www.nutrex.com/lipo6.html> only to see an ad in one of the mags
for a *new and improved* Lipo 6.

Figgers! ;o)

[...]

> Craig
>
> http://www.pro-tape.com

--
Curt

On 24 Dec 2006 21:13:50 -0800, "Curt" <curtjames@gmail.com> wrote:

>Mr. Tapeguy wrote:
>[...]
>
>> Thanks for the info. It confirms what I've already
>> found - basically nothing - to substantiate the claims.
>
>Hey, still no solid facts, but I have a dose of Christmas empathy after
>a fashion, Craig. Just purchased two bottles of Nutrex's Lipo 6
><http://www.nutrex.com/lipo6.html> only to see an ad in one of the mags
>for a *new and improved* Lipo 6.
>
>Figgers! ;o)

What the hell are you taking diet pills for? On top of your abs diet
book and your overly healthy meals. Are you trying to look like
Paris Hilton?

On 24 Dec 2006 10:52:45 -0800, "Curt" <curtjames@gmail.com> wrote:

>ATP* wrote:
>
>> The blanket party that those GNC salesmen
>> deserve might be hard on their kidneys.
>
>As a former GNC salesman, I'd like to comment on that, ATP*.
>
>PMs are the key to earning any kind of money at that job. So, given the
>choice between encouraging a customer to purchase the 99-cent vitamin C
>(which earned me nothing) versus the GNC BOGO EsterRoseHipWhatever
>vitamin C (which earned me X cents or dollars), well, guess which one
>got the hard sell?
>
>The company needs the blanket party and not their employees, imo.
>
>And caveat emptor is a good thing to keep in mind whenever you're a
>customer dealing with a retailer. You know this. Unfortunately, not
>eveyone does. And some customers are, I'm guessing - but it's a guess
>based on solid and repeated experience - are not even remotely
>associated with what I'd like to call REALITY.
>
>To wit:
>
>The customer who entered the store and asked me for the very best
>product I had. I asked for a specific need or goal and was met by the
>same words, something like, "Give me the very best product you have!"
>After several rounds of fruitless customer to retail salesperson Q and
>A, I finally reached to the shelf directly in front of me and handed
>the man whatever was there. If I'd been the genuine ruthless GNC
>salesperson, I'd've handed the (some might say insane) customer a
>forty-dollar massager and made five bucks on the deal.
>
>Or the man and woman who came shopping, she with long, thick, flowing
>blonde hair and he carrying, say, 250 lbs. of broad-shouldered
>masstrosity and asked for 1) a product that would help her to grow her
>hair thicker and more luxuriant and 2) a product that would help him
>gain additional muscle mass. Never mind the fact that the clerk they're
>talking with is 6'1", much less than 200 lbs., with coat hanger
>shoulders holding up a head that is sporting a patch of mange-looking
>balding hair. Never mind that!
>
>Customers can be idiots. But, hey, customers am peeple and me am, too.
>
>That's why I recommend PLACEBO® Brand supplements.
>
>Yes, PLACEBO® Brand supplements, utilizing the ultimate in Reverse
>Psychology Technology™. If you think it's not working then it must
>REALLY be working! Embracing the philosophy that money wasted is
>actually money well spent. Buy it NOW, TODAY!

I was just in GNC last week. The expensive stuff was going for $77 a
bottle. Still fairly reasonable compared to products with only trace
amounts of the stuff in the formula.

On Sun, 24 Dec 2006 22:01:46 -0500, "ATP*"
<waxwingslain@azurepane.com> wrote:

>It's bullshit- just one more phony reason to sell overpriced creatine. The
>regular creatine has not been shown to hurt your kidneys, AFAIK, and there
>damn sure isn't any evidence that some new and more expensive creatine is
>safer. GNC con artists will say anything to sell their snake oil. Of course,
>I am not advocating actual violence against any GNC staff- just indicating
>what at least some of them deserve.

It isn't their Snake Oil. I don't think GNC has a product with the
new stuff in it. They are just pedaling another name brand. Last
time I was there the salesman was more interested in his girlfriend
then selling anything.

Shute wrote:
[...]

> What the hell are you taking diet pills for?
> On top of your abs diet book and your overly
> healthy meals. Are you trying to look like
> Paris Hilton?

If you have to know, it's an unfortunate case of attack by gut
bacteria. There I was, minding my own business, when all of a sudden
this gang of rowdy gut bacteria badasses commenced with a beat down. I
coulda taken one or maybe two, but this was a gang.

Anyway, before you can say Deal-A-Meal I weighed 400 pounds. So, now
it's the long road back to bones.

Seriously, there's nothing worse than a skinny guy with a gut. I'd been
going bonkers with the whey and also a weight gainer. Plus I wasn't
eating a diet but rather simply snacking and occasionally going out for
a hyooog steak. Nothing systematic or strategic. All hit or miss.

The shakes and steaks definitely put weight on me. I was just shy of
190, but my rotator is/was/is somethingsomething and my waist "gone
Buddha" or allowed to totally expand/relax measured in at a horrific 37
frigging inches. I'm down to about 170 now and my waist is about 35.
I'm definitely leaner. Not that much weaker and, yeah, my pants fit
hella better.

Plus I'm actually not taking the Lipo 6 yet. It's just joined my other
supplements. Waiting.

I'm taking Animal Cuts, but I regularly and consistently forget to take
the packets. D'OH! The directions say to take on an empty stomach.

The Darden diet is pretty easy to follow, actually. And I am being
consistent with that. Thought I'd go nuts without milk in my diet. I do
eat yogurt, but haven't purchased a gallon of milk in weeks. Had been
drinking skim, so I guess it's not much different than water anyway.

And you? What's your fitness resolution? Regardless, and while I have
you here, Merry Christmas, Shute. And a Happy 2007!

--
Curt

Mr. Tapeguy wrote:
> ATP* wrote:
>
>>
>> It's bullshit- just one more phony reason to sell overpriced
>> creatine. The regular creatine has not been shown to hurt your
>> kidneys, AFAIK, and there damn sure isn't any evidence that some new
>> and more expensive creatine is safer. GNC con artists will say
>> anything to sell their snake oil. Of course, I am not advocating
>> actual violence against any GNC staff- just indicating what at least
>> some of them deserve.
>
> Thanks for the info. It confirms what I've already found - basically
> nothing - to substantiate the claims. Of course the other
> "advantages" such as faster absorption

What would be the benefit of "faster" aborption? Better absorption I could
understand...

> and no water retention have to
> also be attributed to the manufacturer, in this case MRI.
>
> Craig
>
> http://www.pro-tape.com



--
Bully
Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

In article <1166984397.781598.278520@i12g2000cwa.googlegroups .com>, "Mr.
Tapeguy" <mr.tapeguy@pro-tape.com> wrote:

> Ya gotta love the guys marketing all the various supplements. So now
> I'm being told this CE2 Rapid Absorption Ester Creatine from
> Ethyl-Ester Hydrocholoride is better because it is faster absorbed and
> does not produce water retention.

And there is exactly zero proof of that at this time. It's all marketing hype.

>OK, that's great but it's 5-6 times
> expensive as the Creatine Monohydrate I would typically use (Weider is
> fairly inexpensive as I recall) and more importantly, the guys at GNC
> were saying that regular creatine is hard on the kidneys, which is
> something I've never heard before.

'Cause it's not true, and never ever take your advice on supps from people
working at GNC.

>
> I do not take large amounts of ANY creatine (never more than 5g a day
> and not every day) and I am not a serious bodybuilder but I am
> concerned about that particularly because I already take some
> anti-inflammatory medicine for a herniated disc and don't want to end
> up with kidney problems. Is there any truth to this statement?

No, at least not in people with healthy kidneys.

In article <1167014646.501173.200900@48g2000cwx.googlegroups. com>, "Mr.
Tapeguy" <mr.tapeguy@pro-tape.com> wrote:

> Curt wrote:
> > ATP* wrote:
> >
> > > The blanket party that those GNC salesmen
> > > deserve might be hard on their kidneys.
> >
> > As a former GNC salesman, I'd like to comment on that, ATP*.
> >
>
>
> An entertaining response Curt - I just hope there is someone out there
> who can actually answer my original question.

www.creatine-report.com

news:0iquo2539khm67ljl5vd7ia4p9o1kekt0u@4ax.com...
> On 24 Dec 2006 10:52:45 -0800, "Curt" <curtjames@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>ATP* wrote:
>>
>>> The blanket party that those GNC salesmen
>>> deserve might be hard on their kidneys.
>>
>>As a former GNC salesman, I'd like to comment on that, ATP*.
>>
>>PMs are the key to earning any kind of money at that job. So, given the
>>choice between encouraging a customer to purchase the 99-cent vitamin C
>>(which earned me nothing) versus the GNC BOGO EsterRoseHipWhatever
>>vitamin C (which earned me X cents or dollars), well, guess which one
>>got the hard sell?
>>
>>The company needs the blanket party and not their employees, imo.
>>
>>And caveat emptor is a good thing to keep in mind whenever you're a
>>customer dealing with a retailer.

Not when I shop at Costco, or a number of other marketers that have built
their business on value, not bullshit. GNC's employees that actively sell
questionable, overpriced supplements on commission are just as bad as the
company.

ATP* wrote:
I wrote:

> >>And caveat emptor is a good thing to keep in mind whenever you're a
> >>customer dealing with a retailer.
>
> Not when I shop at Costco, or a number of other marketers that have built
> their business on value, not bullshit.

Let your guard down if you want to as it's truly liberating to be
trusting, however don't be surprised if you don't eventually get burned
by Costco just as you might at any other retailer, ATP*.

> GNC's employees that actively sell questionable, overpriced supplements
> on commission are just as bad as the company.

Man, Merry Christmas and all, but

a) ALL products are questionable.
b) Overpriced is a relative term.
c) Commissions are not necessarily bad.

I'm sure you've read reports of supplement analysis and the often
surprising results that have been uncovered re how much is in there as
opposed to what is listed as being in there.

If you can't afford a product at a specific store then seek out that
same product at another retailer or seek out a less expensive
alternative.

You've never bought a car, truck, etc.? Guess those commissioned
salespeople are "just as bad" yadayada as well, eh?

Iirc, the GNC products were the ones with PM/commission potential. Even
so, GNC had a range of products within their brand name from cheap to
expensive. Many people wouldn't accept the 99-cent GNC version and
opted for the more expensive GNC product. Although I made about nine
bucks an hour during the three years (1988 to 1991) I worked for GNC, I
treated my customers right and offered them good service often in spite
of their requests.

I don't doubt the presence of snake oil salesmen. But they're
everywhere and not only within the purview of GNC.

--
Curt

"Will Brink" <willbrink@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:willbrink-2512060946110001@192.168.2.156...
> In article <1166984397.781598.278520@i12g2000cwa.googlegroups .com>, "Mr.
> Tapeguy" <mr.tapeguy@pro-tape.com> wrote:
>
>> Ya gotta love the guys marketing all the various supplements. So now
>> I'm being told this CE2 Rapid Absorption Ester Creatine from
>> Ethyl-Ester Hydrocholoride is better because it is faster absorbed and
>> does not produce water retention.
>
> And there is exactly zero proof of that at this time. It's all marketing
> hype.
>
>>OK, that's great but it's 5-6 times
>> expensive as the Creatine Monohydrate I would typically use (Weider is
>> fairly inexpensive as I recall) and more importantly, the guys at GNC
>> were saying that regular creatine is hard on the kidneys, which is
>> something I've never heard before.
>
> 'Cause it's not true, and never ever take your advice on supps from people
> working at GNC.
>
>>
>> I do not take large amounts of ANY creatine (never more than 5g a day
>> and not every day) and I am not a serious bodybuilder but I am
>> concerned about that particularly because I already take some
>> anti-inflammatory medicine for a herniated disc and don't want to end
>> up with kidney problems. Is there any truth to this statement?
>
> No, at least not in people with healthy kidneys.


Thanks Will.. just reading this thread and again, you provide good
information for everyone to use.

Brad

In article <7uNkh.527501$1T2.149312@pd7urf2no>, "BradandBrooks"
<BradandBrooks@shaw.ca> wrote:

>
>
> Thanks Will.. just reading this thread and again, you provide good
> information for everyone to use.

We aim to please Brad. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make
him think!

>
> Brad

On Thu, 28 Dec 2006 10:16:40 -0500, willbrink@comcast.net (Will Brink)
wrote:

>In article <7uNkh.527501$1T2.149312@pd7urf2no>, "BradandBrooks"
><BradandBrooks@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Thanks Will.. just reading this thread and again, you provide good
>> information for everyone to use.
>
>We aim to please Brad. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make
>him think!

Neigh, you're quite right Will, but you'll need to rein in as you've
got the bit between you're teeth, you're galloping ahead of yourself,
and with your girth you won't necessarily want to saddle yourself with
more problems, or get other people all bridled up.

Stirrup cup for the road old chap? ;o)

"Charles" <jrh@msn.com> wrote in message
news:5ko7p2t39j4vanisqddjpun6ctvrtgkfi4@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 28 Dec 2006 10:16:40 -0500, willbrink@comcast.net (Will Brink)
> wrote:
>
>>In article <7uNkh.527501$1T2.149312@pd7urf2no>, "BradandBrooks"
>><BradandBrooks@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks Will.. just reading this thread and again, you provide good
>>> information for everyone to use.
>>
>>We aim to please Brad. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make
>>him think!
>
> Neigh, you're quite right Will, but you'll need to rein in as you've
> got the bit between you're teeth, you're galloping ahead of yourself,
> and with your girth you won't necessarily want to saddle yourself with
> more problems, or get other people all bridled up.
>
> Stirrup cup for the road old chap? ;o)

A horse walked into a pub. The publican asked "why the long face"?

Will Brink wrote:
[...]

> <snip> You can lead a horse to water but
> you can't make him think!

What about horses with blinders on?

Guess a deaf horse wouldn't be that bad off, eh? Curious if horses
think better with or without all their senses. Naturally, I assume
possessing all the possible sense would be an advantage.

Say, what if the water's contaminated by feces or contains pathogenic
microorganisms? Sure, horses can think, but they can't test water for
malaria, can they? Hmm.

And, yes, I certainly do wonder if any horses have the opportunity to
use kill files.

What's the definition of horse sense?

Rhetorical.

--
Curt

"Curt" <curtjames@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1167320498.166095.302070@73g2000cwn.googlegro ups.com...
> Will Brink wrote:
> [...]
>
>> <snip> You can lead a horse to water but
>> you can't make him think!
>
> What about horses with blinders on?
>
> Guess a deaf horse wouldn't be that bad off, eh? Curious if horses
> think better with or without all their senses. Naturally, I assume
> possessing all the possible sense would be an advantage.
>
> Say, what if the water's contaminated by feces or contains pathogenic
> microorganisms? Sure, horses can think, but they can't test water for
> malaria, can they? Hmm.
>
> And, yes, I certainly do wonder if any horses have the opportunity to
> use kill files.
>
> What's the definition of horse sense?

http://206.145.80.239/zbc/showthread.php?t=035804


>
> Rhetorical.
>
> --
> Curt
>

On 28 Dec 2006 07:41:38 -0800, "Curt" <curtjames@gmail.com> wrote:

>Will Brink wrote:
>[...]
>
>> <snip> You can lead a horse to water but
>> you can't make him think!
>
>What about horses with blinders on?
>
>Guess a deaf horse wouldn't be that bad off, eh? Curious if horses
>think better with or without all their senses. Naturally, I assume
>possessing all the possible sense would be an advantage.
>
>Say, what if the water's contaminated by feces or contains pathogenic
>microorganisms? Sure, horses can think, but they can't test water for
>malaria, can they? Hmm.
>
>And, yes, I certainly do wonder if any horses have the opportunity to
>use kill files.
>
>What's the definition of horse sense?
>

Horse scents could be Eau de Dung and Aroma le Liniment!

On 24 Dec 2006 22:23:49 -0800, "Curt" <curtjames@gmail.com> wrote:

>Seriously, there's nothing worse than a skinny guy with a gut.

I am sure I can think of some. Like a hairy back for instance.

>I'd been
>going bonkers with the whey and also a weight gainer. Plus I wasn't
>eating a diet but rather simply snacking and occasionally going out for
>a hyooog steak. Nothing systematic or strategic. All hit or miss.

So you took on too many calories. How much whey and weight gainer
where taking? I cut back quite a bit on it myself. I think cutting
back on cardio has hurt me the most though. Try sticking too good
foods and eat heaviest after a good workout. Eat less on the off
days.

>The shakes and steaks definitely put weight on me. I was just shy of
>190, but my rotator is/was/is somethingsomething and my waist "gone
>Buddha" or allowed to totally expand/relax measured in at a horrific 37
>frigging inches. I'm down to about 170 now and my waist is about 35.
>I'm definitely leaner. Not that much weaker and, yeah, my pants fit
>hella better.

Wow. I wish I could lose weight that quickly.

>Plus I'm actually not taking the Lipo 6 yet. It's just joined my other
>supplements. Waiting.
>
>I'm taking Animal Cuts, but I regularly and consistently forget to take
>the packets. D'OH! The directions say to take on an empty stomach.

Hey at leas it isn't birth control. : ) You probably don't need all
those supplements anyway. I just take a multi-vitamin and the whey.
I personally think the weight control supplements are almost harmful.
They just jack you up on speed which would probably make me feel
horrible if I took them. Strong supplements have strong reactions in
my body so I always take less then they tell me too.

>The Darden diet is pretty easy to follow, actually. And I am being
>consistent with that. Thought I'd go nuts without milk in my diet. I do
>eat yogurt, but haven't purchased a gallon of milk in weeks. Had been
>drinking skim, so I guess it's not much different than water anyway.
>
>And you? What's your fitness resolution? Regardless, and while I have
>you here, Merry Christmas, Shute. And a Happy 2007!

I just switched to a strength program. So I am going to focus on
strength and losing weight for the short term. My goal is to catch
bully and jmw so I can call them weaklings. : ) I have never been on
a program like this before so I am not sure what to expect. I just
know my strength to muscle ration is much weaker than in my younger
years.

On 24 Dec 2006 10:19:57 -0800, "Mr. Tapeguy" <mr.tapeguy@pro-tape.com>
wrote:

>Ya gotta love the guys marketing all the various supplements. So now
>I'm being told this CE2 Rapid Absorption Ester Creatine from
>Ethyl-Ester Hydrocholoride is better because it is faster absorbed and
>does not produce water retention. OK, that's great but it's 5-6 times
>expensive as the Creatine Monohydrate I would typically use (Weider is
>fairly inexpensive as I recall) and more importantly, the guys at GNC
>were saying that regular creatine is hard on the kidneys, which is
>something I've never heard before.
>
>I do not take large amounts of ANY creatine (never more than 5g a day
>and not every day) and I am not a serious bodybuilder but I am
>concerned about that particularly because I already take some
>anti-inflammatory medicine for a herniated disc and don't want to end
>up with kidney problems. Is there any truth to this statement?
>
>Craig

I was just reading an old article about the advantages of the New
Creatine formulas. It says for creatine ethyl ester(CEE) provides
better absorption. They say you can take as little as 1-2 grams per
dose and skip the carbs. When creatine monohydrate is fully absorbed
it can pull water into the intestines causing diarrhea.

So the advantages are less intestinal problems for people that have
them. Less sugar for those that can get fat from it. And your using
a lot less of it. Not sure it is worth 5-6 times that cost but it
might be worth twice as much.

Since it is still creatine I don't see how it would have any different
effect on the kidneys. You do need to drink plenty of water when
using it.