does creatine mess up ya liver?

My Cousin is a personal trainer or somthing and he was telling another cousin of mine that when taking creatine you should have a break from it every couple of months or somthing.
 if thats rite how often should ya be taking breaks from it and how long for? thanks.

215 lbs
5'10''

ive heard two months on followed by one month off.  dont know why. havent tried that schedual yet since i havent completed my first month using it

The problem some people may see with creatine will most likely occur in the kidneys.  Although very very very unlikely in those with no history of kidney problems, one could still have kidney failure, this is also possible with too much whey protien as well.  If you do not drink enough water while cycling creatine, you run the risk of causing damage to your kidneys.  If you drink over 120 ounces of water a day ( about a gallon) you should be okay.  It is recommended, not required, to cycle creatine.  I personally would cycle any and all supplements you take.  Creatine helps aid in the production of ATP, which takes place in the liver.  If not cycled, the theory is that your liver could potentially shut down or decrease its natural production of ATP and cause extreme lethargy, muscle cramps and spasms, and if ATP production was completely haulted, death.  Now you would really have to try to get this to happen, and im definately not saying it will, but it COULD.  I would go with a cycle of 5 grams or less a day, for about 40 days, and then take 40 days off. If you are worried about your liver, just by some Milk Thistle from your local vitamin store.  If you do plan on buying Milk Thistle, make sure its no less then 80% Sylmarin*SP*. 

Just my .02, as always, any incorrect information, please correct it. 

AFAA(Aerobics and Fitness Associations of America) Certified Personal Trainer.

well said johnny

nothing has been scientifically proven yet!

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Another creatine thread - and more misinformation.

The problem some people may see with creatine will most likely occur in the kidneys.  Although very very very unlikely in those with no history of kidney problems, one could still have kidney failure, this is also possible with too much whey protien as well. 

 
No studies showing creatine + protein can cause liver OR kidney damage.
 

Creatine helps aid in the production of ATP, which takes place in the liver.  If not cycled, the theory is that your liver could potentially shut down or decrease its natural production of ATP and cause extreme lethargy, muscle cramps and spasms, and if ATP production was completely haulted, death.

 
Wrong again - ATP is not generated just in the liver. ATP production happens in the mitochondria of the various cells of the body, some with high numbers of mitochondria than others e.g. fast twitch muscle nuclei vs. slow twitch muscle nuclei.
 
Bottom line - Your liver isnt going to shut down and you wont die from cycling the recommended amount of creatine.

Or, if you you want to save money... and are worried about all that.  Just take it on training days... four days a week for me.  The recomended dosages and all that is such a scam, especially the loading. 
 
Me, and one other guy in my gym... as far as I know, take creatine this way.. never read it anywhere, just made the most sense to me.  It works just as good...