Need info: Creatine & Hoodia

[marmaduke]

My son went in Monday to see the Doctor. He was asking about diet supplements for weight training.

note: My son is 17, Black Belt in Karate and takes weight traing course in High School. Has small set of weight training equipment at home. Weighs about 170 lbs. 6'-9" tall.

The Doctor mentioned the above supplements as being the safest. I got him a one month supply to see if they'll do anything. Hoodia seems to be a weight loss supplement and Creatine seems to be a weight gaining supplement. That kind of contradicting.

Anyone care to explain how to use these two together? If they can be used together? :confused:

[Yohan]

Creatine isn't strictly a weight gaining supplement. It causes you to gain weight by increasing the amount of fluid in the sacs surrounding the muscle fibers (it essentially causes you to put on water weight) which can be quickly lost by not taking it anymore. On the other hand, I don't see how it's going to help him lose weight, except that it may let him work out harder.

[tetsu ryu]

Honestly? Wikipedia search creatine, and then search hoodia first. That's where you'll get a good bit of info on the two. As far as taking them both at the same time, I'd say it's not that great of an idea, as a matter of fact, for a seventeen year old boy, I definitely wouldn't prescribe hoodia as it is an appetite suppressant.. Unless of course he has some sort of over-eating disorder, then I don't think that is what he needs at all.. I'd suggest something more along the lines of "Green Tea / CLA pills, to aide in increasing metabolism, rather than cutting off the body's natural craving to feed, and eating smaller meals spread throughout the day will help as well if he is serious about getting rid of fat, and not to mention an intense workout 2-3 times a week would be great along with his martial arts. As far as protein goes, I've never tried creatine, but I've had great results with Whey protein.

Also..
2 must have supplements!!!!

multivitamins and fish oil capsules with omega 3,6, and 9. The multivitamin will in make anyone feel better and not to mention fish oils help relieve joint inflammation after tough workouts.

[Yost]

As far as protein goes, I've never tried creatine, but I've had great results with Whey protein.
Creatine isn't protein...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creatine_supplements

To the OP:
Why did your doctor mention Hoodia? Is your son trying to lose weight? 170 lbs at 6'9" isn't exactly heavy... I'd probably skip the hoodia even regardless of this fact.

From what I read (though no personal experience) Creatine should help his weight training progress, recovery, etc. And you can never go wrong with a good diet with plenty of protein.

[adouglasmhor]

Creatine is OK if you are lifting results vary from person to person. and easy one Try a medium dose vitC 1000mG and a pint of water first thing in the morning this will help his body produce it's own carnitine

The following is from wiki, but many other sources recommend it as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_C

In humans, vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant, acting to lessen oxidative stress, a substrate for ascorbate peroxidase,[4] as well as an enzyme cofactor for the biosynthesis of many important biochemicals. Vitamin C acts as an electron donor for eight different enzymes:[9]

* Three participate in collagen hydroxylation.[10][11][12] These reactions add hydroxyl groups to the amino acids proline or lysine in the collagen molecule (via prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase), thereby allowing the collagen molecule to assume its triple helix structure and making vitamin C essential to the development and maintenance of scar tissue, blood vessels, and cartilage.[13]

* Two are necessary for synthesis of carnitine.[14][15] Carnitine is essential for the transport of fatty acids into mitochondria for ATP generation.

* The remaining three have the following functions:
o dopamine beta hydroxylase participates in the biosynthesis of norepinephrine from dopamine.[16][17]
o another enzyme adds amide groups to peptide hormones, greatly increasing their stability.[18][19]
o one modulates tyrosine metabolism.[20][21]

[Ranzan]

6'9" jesus what you feed him. Hoodia is weight loss wierd that doc mentioned that for weight gain. Best weight gain IMO is proper diet or even weight gain shakes plus you can throw creatine in there with it if you would really want to.

[schnchri]

Just remember that with creatine you'll need to drink more water. Since it basically causes your body to retain more water, you have to compensate. Otherwise, you'll get dehydrated and get muscle cramps.
When it comes to weight training supplements; find a good protein supplement. Also, he may want to increase complex cargohydrate and calorie intake to help put on a little weight, if that's his goal.