Ben Utley

10331 Riesling Court Charlotte, NC 28277 Phone: 704-941-8061 E-Mail: Butley5@uncc.edu

Date: 4/11/13 Mr. Gis Gibbs Pros Of Creatine LIVESTRONG.COM Dear Mr. Gibbs: Creatine users end up in the hospital every year! People go online and find articles like the one you have written and start a supplement without any knowledge of the risk that come along with the supplement. After reading your article Pros Of Creatine written August 22, 2011. The article about Creatine effectively informed the audience of the benefits regarding Creatine. Although all of the points that you made in the article were accurate; the audience deserves the truth about the risks and disadvantages of taking a Creatine supplement. I am a Creatine user and personally support the supplement and believe if Creatine is taken correctly, can contribute to enormous muscular development in both the areas of endurance and overall strength. Creatine is a great product but can also pose a threat to their health and wellness. The audience of the article Pros of Creatine should be exposed to the health threats posed by the use of a Creatine supplement. I conducted research on the hazardous factors involved when taking Creatine and some tribulations people have experienced while taking a Creatine supplement. Even back in 2001 people were starting to take Creatine as body building supplement. An article written by Wayne Mercer of BodyBuilding.com titled, Why Are People Suddenly Afraid Of Creatine? Mercer describes some risks that Creatine posed in 2001. Wayne Mercer explains that most of the evidence that was found in 2001 was complaints of people who used Creatine first hand. Mr. Mercer makes it very clear that any supplement anyone puts in their body can cause health problems especially if the recommended dose is disregarded. Mercer consulted an Organic Chemist that wished to keep his identity anonymous. The Chemist explained that though there are risks of taking Creatine. The risks are
4/9/13 9:26 PM
Comment [4]: Being that you are discussing an article about the pros maybe you should change health threats or add cons of taking Creatine

4/9/13 9:20 PM
Comment [1]: *comes or put may come because it is not everyone that will experience this risk.

4/9/13 9:21 PM
Comment [2]: Either you did not complete this sentence or it should be added into the proceeding sentence.

4/9/13 9:22 PM
Comment [3]: Describe the manner in which you are to take Creatine correctly.

4/9/13 9:27 PM
Comment [5]: Where and how was your research conducted.

4/9/13 9:30 PM
Comment [6]: Being that your article is on the side effects of Creatine/risk factors of taking it change this word to side effect

4/9/13 10:17 AM
Comment [7]: Such as? What risks can be involved with the taking of this supplement?

4/9/13 9:38 PM
Comment [8]: Were

4/9/13 9:38 PM
Comment [9]: First hand meaning? Regularly?

limited to particular individuals. The chemist also stated that most of the problems that people encounter are due to exceeding the recommended dose and abusing the Creatine supplement. (Mercer par. 9) Present day people have learned much more about Creatine and its benefits as well as its downfalls. An article titled Creatine Pros and Cons, mentioned some more common side effects of taking Creatine. Jennifer Bailey wrote this article and she made some very good points about the Creatine supplements available. Bailey states that though there are very few side effects most side effects of taking Creatine are because of taking it in excess. (Bailey par. 3) An article written by Karen Springen explores that myths and facts surrounding Creatine. Thus including health risks. Of all the supplements studied in history, Creatine is among the most studied. Springen states, Steroids mimic testosterone and are banned in the Olympics and in professional sports. By contrast, the International Olympic Committee, professional sports leagues, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association do not prohibit Creatine. In the article she wrote titled Creatine: Myths and Facts. Research has found that Creatine can cause gastrointestinal upset. One of Springens sources states, Tarnopolsky says his studies show 5 to 7 percent of people experience either stomach aches, diarrhea, or both. (Springen par. 8) Though it is very rare for someone taking Creatine to experience an upset stomach it has been proven to be a side effect of Creatine. Another point that Springen makes in her article is that Creatine is a cause of weight gain. Bailey also stated that Creatine could cause diarrhea. Bailey explained that Creatine causes diarrhea and in some cases mood swings, these are more common in young people. (Bailey par. 3) To some people weight gain may sound like a good thing but to other weight gain is their worst nightmare. The way Creatine works is that it pushes water into the users muscles to make the muscles appear bigger and the weight that the user gains while on Creatine is a fair amount of water weight. The water weight makes the muscles look more pumped up but the problem with water weight is that it feels softer than real muscle tissue. Creatine supplements are growing in
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4/9/13 9:41 PM
Comment [10]: Why are the side effects only limited to particular individuals? List the factors that could contribute to an individuals risk of getting side effects while taking the Creatine supplement.

4/9/13 10:18 AM
Comment [11]: You keep mentioning recommended dosage. What exactly is the recommended dosage when taking Creatine?

4/9/13 10:20 AM
Comment [12]: Your wording could be changed in this sentence to make it flow better.

4/9/13 10:22 AM
Comment [13]: You keep mention side effects but do not actually say what the side effects of taking this supplement include.

4/9/13 10:25 AM
Comment [14]: You mention this article but barely state any information from it. Include a little more of what the article may have said such as the myths and fact of this supplement not simply that she wrote an article based on Creatine

4/9/13 10:25 AM
Comment [15]: Also try combining the two sentences or rewording the second sentence here.

4/9/13 10:09 PM
Comment [16]: You are no beginning to discuss the article you mentioned in the previous paragraph. Take the last two sentences from the previous and make it the introduction of this paragraph.

4/9/13 10:11 PM
Comment [17]: Bailey and Springen wrote two different articles. Speak about Bailey in the previous paragraph or a separate paragraph; because that is where you started to discuss her article. Then speak about Springen in this paragraph . Do not combine the two although they make similar points.

popularity among athletes but the public and even the nutritionist are unsure what effects both shirt and long term Creatine can have on an individual. Creatine has only been around since the 1990s and there are a lot of sources and claims that say Creatine has the negative effects I listed above. I personally have felt dehydrated after working out while taking a Creatine supplement. I take 5 grams of Creatine on days that I work out which is the recommended dose. I drink three 20-ounce bottles of water when I am working out and I normally work out for an hour and a half. I have noticed weight gains from the water that Creatine puts into my muscles. A big downfall about Creatine is the fact that you will loose some of the water weight when you cycle off of the Creatine. I have heard that Creatine can cause kidney problems so I did some research on that side effect. I personally have felt discomfort in my kidneys after my work out and after taking my Creatine regiment for the day. An article by a contributing columnist, L. Carr, titled Top Ten Creatine Supplements, stated that kidney damage has been linked to Creatine use in some cases. The reason for this is because Creatine does require someone taking it to drink an excess of water and when someone drinks more water the more that person has to urinate. The more someone urinates the more stress it puts on the kidneys and over time can cause kidney problems. Carr also makes sure to state that there is not significant evidence that Creatine is the cause of such kidney problems. There have been studies that suggest Creatine is the cause for such kidney problems. (Carr par. 9) Creatine supplements are growing in popularity among athletes but the public and even the nutritionist are unsure what effects both shirt and long term Creatine can have on an individual. Creatine has only been around since the 1990s and there are a lot of sources and claims that say Creatine has the negative effects I listed above. I personally have felt dehydrated after working out while taking a Creatine supplement. I take 5 grams of Creatine on days that I work out which is the recommended dose. I drink three 20-ounce bottles of water when I am working out and I normally work out for an hour and a half. I
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4/9/13 10:34 AM
Comment [18]: short

4/9/13 11:03 PM
Comment [19]: Reword has the possibly to may cause

4/9/13 11:04 PM
Comment [20]: Is this also the recommended amount of water you should take while on the Creatine supplement or is this a personal preference?

4/9/13 11:05 PM
Comment [21]: short

4/9/13 11:05 PM
Comment [22]: You mentioned this already.

4/9/13 11:06 PM
Comment [23]: You mentioned this already.

4/9/13 11:07 PM
Comment [24]: This whole bottom paragraph is repeating everything you just said in the previous paragraph.

have noticed weight gains from the water that Creatine puts into my muscles. A big downfall about Creatine is the fact that you will loose some of the water weight when you cycle off of the Creatine. Mr. Gibbs I hope that you will evaluate what I have researched and written and take it into consideration. The public could benefit greatly if you were to write a new article on the possible health risks of taking a Creatine supplement. LiveStrong.com is a source that is very respected and trusted by the public. I know you are a great writer I have read your articles and I know that you can convey what I have researched and relayed back to you into an easy to read and comprehend article. The reputation of LiveStrong.com will help get the possible risk of taking a Creatine supplement out to the supplement taking, weightlifting community.
4/9/13 11:08 PM
Comment [25]: You have no indentations in any of your paragraphs.

Sincerely, Ben Utley