You must cycle creatine to avoid tolerance
9.0Strong
evidence
evidence
The Claim
It is often claimed that cycling creatine is necessary to prevent the body from becoming tolerant to its effects, implying that continuous use reduces its effectiveness.
Origin
This idea likely comes from practices in the broader supplement industry, where cycling is recommended for some substances to prevent tolerance.
What Science Says
Current research does not support the need for cycling creatine. Long-term studies have not shown a decrease in effectiveness with continuous use, nor have they demonstrated adverse effects from prolonged supplementation. The body maintains a relatively stable saturation of creatine, and tolerance is not a concern.
Verdict
False
Sources
- PMID:32505193 Exercise training alone or in combination with high-protein diet in patients with late onset Pompe disease: results of a cross over study.
- PMID:37046681 Phase I Study of a Combination of Fluvastatin and Celecoxib in Children with Relapsing/Refractory Low-Grade or High-Grade Glioma (FLUVABREX).
- PMID:21300953 Remote ischemic preconditioning protects the brain against injury after hypothermic circulatory arrest.