I've been reading the glories of Glutamine for PWO muscle repair. I've read that 5-10 grams a day is recommended, but most of this advice has been written for bulking, not cutting.

As one of the best ways to lose fat is to increase metabolism by increasing muscle, would you recommend glutamine for a cut? If so, how much per day, and when during the day?


Also, glutamine in powdered form mixed in with protein shakes, or in capsule form? Any brands better than others? Thanks in advance!

P.S. While I have you here, how about Creatine to gain muscle to aid in a cut?
-Yes or no?
-How much?
-When in the day?
-Powdered/pill?
-Recommended Brands?

Can't speak to glutamine personally, not really a big fan.

As for creatine...

-Yes or no?
Yes, and in my opinion even moreso than during a bulk.

-How much?
Somewhere between 5-10g/day for me.

-When in the day?
Pre and/or Post-workout is a good time for me. On non-training days either at breakfast or whenever really.

-Powdered/pill?
Powdered by far.

-Recommended Brands?
I like AST's Micronized Creatine and have had some success with Beverly International's Creatine Select. I've yet to use At-Large's Creatine but they are a good and reputable company (I like their other products).

You know I came onto this board about to ask the same question regarding creatine. I have a tub of Prolab creatine mono. sitting on my dresser wondering if I should start taking it during my cut. I shall start with 5g/day on monday.

Somewhere between 5-10g/day for me.

Some sources seem to recommend a 5 day 'loading' period where you take a ton of creatine, and then level off. Other sources suggest that this is not effective except to dehydrate you. Any opinion on this? Should i start with 5-10 grams and maintain that depending on results?


Powdered by far.

Is this a personal preference or is this an accepted opinion? I've read that up to 2/3 of the powder can be destroyed by stomach acids, and that taking caps can avoid this problem, but I'm not sure if I'm reading reliable sources. Thanks very much!





On the other subject, does anyone have advice on glutamine?

Is this a personal preference or is this an accepted opinion? I've read that up to 2/3 of the powder can be destroyed by stomach acids, and that taking caps can avoid this problem, but I'm not sure if I'm reading reliable sources. Thanks very much!


Monohydrate doesn't get destroyed by the stomach acids -- It is the fancy ethyl-ester stuff (CEE) that gets destroyed by the stomach acid.

I've yet to use At-Large's Creatine but they are a good and reputable company (I like their other products).

Yeah, atlarge uses Creapure, which is the good stuff.

Why the fear of creatine during a cut? It's a common question, but I've never understood it. You might retain a bit of water (I don't seem to), but that has nothing to do with true fat loss unless you are excessively fixated on a scale number.

Why the fear of creatine during a cut? It's a common question, but I've never understood it. You might retain a bit of water (I don't seem to), but that has nothing to do with true fat loss unless you are excessively fixated on a scale number.

I'm more afraid to quit using it because I don't want my strength to go down, which I heard happens. Not sure if its entirely true.

Some sources seem to recommend a 5 day 'loading' period where you take a ton of creatine, and then level off. Other sources suggest that this is not effective except to dehydrate you. Any opinion on this? Should i start with 5-10 grams and maintain that depending on results?
No opinion from me really. Last few times I took creatine however I DID load for 5 days, mostly just as a catch-all. I can't say for sure whether or not it's needed.

Is this a personal preference or is this an accepted opinion? I've read that up to 2/3 of the powder can be destroyed by stomach acids, and that taking caps can avoid this problem, but I'm not sure if I'm reading reliable sources. Thanks very much!
Other than what Joe said, personal preference too. I don't like the fact that most creatine mono caps (that I have found, but I have not seen any recently) are way too expensive.

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the advice.

Mannishboy--I'm far more concerned with how I feel and how I look in the mirror than any number the scale will give me. I'll buy some Micronized Creatine Monohydrate tomorrow and see how it does for my cut. I'll report back. Thanks again.

On the other subject, does anyone have advice on glutamine?

I use a couple scoops of Beverly's Glutamine Select plus BCAAs in a intra-workout cocktail...