Caffeine ruins creatine effectiveness?

[frango]

So, i read a few times around on the internet that the use of caffeine can make creatine ineffective.

I take them both and i cannot say that this is true.

It is just a myth? There is any serious studies that proves this is true?

There is a lot us supplements out there that uses both in the same formula, most preworkouts for instance...

And just saying... for me its essential to use both right now...i love them both.

Whats the truth behind this?

 

[scottm]

http://examine.com/faq/does-caffeine-counteract-creatine.html

http://www.ergo-log.com/creatinecaffeine.html

Basically drink extra water, and if you limit your caffeine to just preworkout and not daily consumption you will be fine.

 

[frango]

ok, great

 

[Genghiz]

Yeah same as above poster. You'll be fine. I've been doing it for years still getting the same benefit from creatine - and I use caffeine tablets. Will Brink's got a couple great articles on the science as well kicking around.

 

[xilliun]

Just done a brief review of the literature.

The first study I came across looked at muscle relaxation time being less in Caff + Creatine compared to Creatine in isometric contractions (in how that is relevant to athletic performance is beyond me). The second study similarly looked at isometric muscle contractions, which found an increased in the Cr group compared to placebo, but Caff + Creatine was the same as placebo.

In recent work on the topic - a repeated bout sprint test on placebo, caffeine, caffeine + creatine found that the caffeine + creatine group performed the best. A similar study looking using those 3 groupings looked at running performance at the anaerobic threshold, and the caffeine + creatine group again performed the best.

In summary: Caffeine and Creatine work well together. The work that says it doesn't is fairly old, and in my opinion, using methodologies not relevant to athletic performance.

 

[oyaji poi]

So, i read a few times around on the internet that the use of caffeine can make creatine ineffective.

I take them both and i cannot say that this is true.

It is just a myth? There is any serious studies that proves this is true?

There is a lot us supplements out there that uses both in the same formula, most preworkouts for instance...

And just saying... for me its essential to use both right now...i love them both.

Whats the truth behind this?

Some of the first studies on creatine and sport performance were done by mixing creatine with hot coffee. So yes, it is a fine combination.

On that note, it is not necessary to combine them. Caffeine preworkout and creatine in your post-workout shake.

 

[xilliun]

Doesn't matter when you take creatine, as long as you take it daily. The effects aren't acute like caffeine.

 

[karnifx]

Caffeine+Creatine are commonly used together and should be effective. Some people actually see no positive effects with creatine but I would say to eat something solid and high in Carbs before dosing your creatine/caffeine mix also to look for a chart and find out how much you should be taking for your weight and activity level.

 

[ThatBJJGuy]

just drink plently of water

 

[PrettyPinkDOnut]

This idea came about due to misinterpretation of discussion that dehydration will limit the effectiveness of creatine. I.E. caffein dehydrates you therefore limiting the effectiveness of creatine.

It is about the hydration of levels of the body, not the combination of the two substances in the body.