Okay, but a number of the people here who have used it are not sufficiently impressed to continue using it, myself included. As for the other benefits you refer to and the solid science behind it: So I suppose it depends on whom you ask. I guess we'll have to disagree, at least until the studies are sufficiently compelling to my go-to source. I do hope your view is proven right, though.
Wow if you got an email from a scientist then that settles the it right there. LOL I don't care if you take creatine or not, I'm just talking about the evidence behind it is all. And some of the increases people talk about with whey, creatine, increased protein intake, vitamins, green tea, an extra hour in the gym a week, etc. are in the single digits of a percent and probably don't mean that much to the average guy trying to stay fit. Here's an interesting summary of studies and potential benefits of creatine from the mayo clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/creatine/NS_patient-creatine/DSECTION=evidence
Yes, creatine loading does have demonstrated benefits in increasing strength. I have read some of the studies and even have a book on my bookshelf. But some of us have other goals. Some of us don't want to increase strength at the cost of blurring definition and looking/feeling puffy due to increased water retention. It's not that creatine loading doesn't work or has no scientific evidence that supports its efficacy. It's just that creatine loading doesn't offer what we would like to have.
He is someone whose opinion I value. As for your Mayo Clinic reference, they seem to draw the same general conclusion, laundry list of other potential benefits notwithstanding. More or better studies are called for in each and every case in order to draw a meaningful conclusion. So it would appear that our sources essentially concur.
Here's a site with a guy doing some scary body weight exercises. Some of you doing pistol squats will probably get into these. http://englishrussia.com/2012/09/12/thrill-seeker-from-kiev/ :eek:
I haven't read any of this thread, and this might be completely off topic BUT I'm assuming the majority of the men on here are old enough to get on TRT. That will make you feel young again and is a good method for building muscle and losing fat for sure! Just thought I would throw that out there. That is all.
My understanding is TRT atrophies the leydig and sertoli cells, irreversibly. The body trends towards homeostasis and it knows "how much" of each hormone it should have, and at which chronological point. It's pretty much the same as lifters who go on an extended "cycle" (2-5 years). HPTA shuts down and their leydig cells atrophy to shit. No more test. Imo, it's not worth it. Test can be raised naturally, through weight loss, muscle gain, proper sleep and nutrition. Or so we hope.