Interesting, thanks for the link.
It looks like only the active muscles move intracellular water to the extracellular. Thus any gained water weight in the upper body does not seem to be “active” in rehydration.
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Interesting two folk mention stomach discomfort, I tried creatine 2 weeks ago, and my stomach just felt awful, bloated and feeling sick. I was only on 3g tried 1.5g for a few more days, but gave it up and feel so much better.
Did anyone else with stomach issues stick with it and did you feel better after some time?
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When it’s in my shake 5g makes my stomach unhappy but I’ve now started 3g as tablets and 2.5g in the drink so we shall see.
I’m also never sure if it is doing something but all studies say it does so I roll with it.
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Yes, I tried one brand (can’t recall which) and had terrible acid reflux, quit after 6 weeks. Next I used Klean Athlete and no issues. Placebo, maybe, but you may want to try different options.
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interesting thanks, and yes my acid reflux is also worse after taking it! It was a creapure product supposedly, I wonder what different brands would do differently? Shame Klean Athlete doesn’t appear to be in the UK 
This is the one I tried: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/creapure-certified-creatine-monohydrate-neutral-300-g/327680/g78m8601333
My N=1; I’m on 5g a day and dont seem to have any issues. I use BULK, available from plenty of places including Amazon.
Thanks, it seems some (like me) get gut issues and others don’t…
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I get mild gut issues during loading 20g a day but nothing at the 5g maintainance dose. MyProtein
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I’m going back to the bulk tables, no issues there but powder in my protein drink isn’t as pleasant. Bit more expensive but easier to deal with.
Sorry what is a bulk table?
Tablets! I was writing on my phone. Bulk.com do them in a big ol’ pill.
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I found blending Creatine in a smoothie generally led to stomach discomfort for me. Switched to mixing in a cup of hot water to ensure the crystals were mostly dissolved and boom no issues.
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This is how I do it - 5g fully dissolved in 70°C hot water - along with 3-4g of beta-alanine. The creatine is tasteless, while the beta-alanine imparts quite a pleasant flavour, slightly sharp & almost sweet-tasting. Taken the place of a fruit-teabag drink for me 
The 70°C water is easy, since I’m a Brit, so obvs own a kettle, and ours has selectable temperatures.
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That’s worth a test!
tvm
I like the sounds of that too! Never tried beta-alanine other than in pre-workout years ago. Will have to try this.
I drink this on a full stomach after my first meal, to reduce the beta-alanine tingles which for me are quite mild and no big deal when taken this way. I was previously taking just the creatine in the mug of hot water, and have only added the beta-alanine at ~3g in the past couple of weeks, and was pleasantly surprised to find that quantity tastes just fine to me. YMMV!
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Do you reckon you could add the creatine to a morning cup of tea? (another tea drinking Brit!)
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I don’t see why not - my partner dissolves her morning creatine dose in her mug of green tea!
(no beta-alanine for her, so no real taste impact on her cuppa from just the creatine)
Interestingly I have never had stomach issues with creatine. I buy the cheap proteinworks stuff in the UK
The taurine I have been trying recently though? I’ve actually had to stop it as it seemingly did my GI tract no favours at all. I’m going to have a break for a few weeks and try again….it could have just been coincidence. However, if it does the same next time I won’t be trialing any more, that is for sure.
Had to share my beta alanine experience today. I forgot to take it before my trainer ride so I took it mid ride, right after my first interval (green arrow). These were 3x10 min tempos.
The tingling got pretty intense during the third interval and my heart rate was over 10 bpm lower than what I expected! I did the exact same workout yesterday (did two in a row bc I will be taking the next several days off for Thanksgiving travel and why not) and my heart rate very predicably crept up the whole time, ending close to 160 whereas today it ended at 145. Nothing changed wrt my fans, clothing, etc.
Unclear that this has any benefits haha but maybe helpful for high intensity? It didn’t feel easier.
