Supps, ergogenics, gains and diuretics

[u_e_s_i]

So, I know that substances such as creatine, betaine and HMB increase your rate of adaptation (gains). I also know that creatine can be stored by your body, another reason why creatine preloading is beneficial. I know that creatine is water soluble and increases intramuscular water-retention.

Now my question is, would using diuretics (regularly and irregularly) reduce the benefits of things such as creatine preloading and/or increase the rate at which other beneficial supps pass through your system and thus the time for which they are beneficial?

 

[john.patterson]

It's been shown that loading creatine isn't necessary, and there are no added benefits to loading when compared to just taking 5g per day. Consistency with creatine is far more important than a loading phase.

Since diuretics remove excess intracellular water, it's possible that a diuretic will negate some of the effects of creatine and other supplements. I think that for a competition or photoshoot using diuretics might be a good solution, but they are often not needed and end up impacting performance and muscle fullness more than the benefits they deliver. I would highly recommend not using a diuretic regularly