Long Term Side Effects of Using Pre-Work Mixes, E.g Cellucor C4

sampmel on 16/09/2021 - 10:42

Hello OzBargainers,

I am sure many of you hit gym regularly or exercise at home, what sort of pre-workout powder/mix do you use to get that pump during the work out?
I (33M) am using Cellucor-c4 from past 1.5 years (3-4 scoops a week), it works amazing for me, gives enough energy to complete the 45 min workout without loosing the focus.

However, I am bit concerned of it's long term side effects on the body. I googled, read many post on reddit but could not find much information about it.

Do you know if using it for say 5-10 years or even more could lead issues related to Kidney, Liver or Heart? if so, what do you use as a natural alternative? Or it is completely safe to use it?

Any information is much appreciated!

Ingredients copied from the CW website.
Serving Size: 1 Scoop (6g) Servings Per Container: 60 Carnosyn® Beta-Alanine 1600mg, Creatine Nitrate (NO3-T®) 1000mg, Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate 1000mg, Explosive Energy Blend: N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, Caffeine Anhydrous (150mg), Theacrine (as TeaCrine®) 375mg, Vitamin C (as Ascorbic Acid) 250mg, Niacinamide 30mg, Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate) 500mcg, Folate (as Folic Acid) 150mcg, Vitamin B12 (as Cyanocobalamin) 25mcg. Other Ingredients: Natural & Artificial Flavours, Citric Acid, Silicon Dioxide, Malic Acid.

Note: If you think this is an irrelevant post and I should be seeking a professional advise instead, which I will sure, once lockdown is over in VIC. Until then I would like to know your understanding on the ingredients.

Health & Beauty Bodybuilding Supplement Cellucor Protein Powder

Comments

  • PissLUR on 16/09/2021 - 10:44
    +3

    what sort of pre-workout powder/mix do you use to get that pump during the work out?

    two coffee shots and one Monster can.

  • waterbottled on 16/09/2021 - 10:58
    +1

    because each preworkout is different, you should google "long term health effects of [insert ingredient]" for each ingredient in the preworkout you use.

  • Xistn on 16/09/2021 - 11:00

    GET SWOLE!

  • winhhh on 16/09/2021 - 11:03
    -5

    I mean.. have you tried an actual website dedicated to gym/weightlifting/bodybuilding etc ? Like idk… bodybuilding.com?

  • dpark88 on 16/09/2021 - 11:15
    +3

    I'm 33M too and have been using C4 for about 8 years. I'm still standing if that gives you any comfort?

    Most of my research into the ingredients came from peer-reviewed articles.

    In a nutshell, there's nothing in there that has been conclusively linked to any negative long term side effects.

    I only take a half scoop per session which is plenty for me. I do 3 to 4 sessions a week.

    I can't comment on the safety of it if you're smashing 5 scoops a day, 7 days a week.

    So long as you're not abusing it and drinking plenty of water, you'll most likely be fine.

    • xeion on 16/09/2021 - 11:36

      I'm curious and wanting to manage my suppliment intake and curious to know, Do you cycle on and off ?

      • dpark88 on 16/09/2021 - 11:40
        +1

        Yes I do. Typically 8 weeks on, 1 week off.

        I've been on an extended off period due to lockdowns though.

        • xeion on 16/09/2021 - 12:52

          Thanks for replying. I need to plan my cycles when I return to training. You anwser is very helpful :)

    • sampmel on 16/09/2021 - 13:34

      Well, 8 years is a long time, I will try to reduce my dosage too just to keep it in the check. Thanks!

  • Drakesy on 16/09/2021 - 11:18
    +1

    Life's too short
    Plates get the dates
    Gainz for dayz

    But seriously, probably the same side effects as red bull such as caffeine dependency, anxiety, insomnia, stress, high blood pressure - not really great for the heart.
    But if you want to get to your mid 40's with heart palpatations and heightened chance of a heart attack then go for it, just depends how much gettin swole is worth.

    • dpark88 on 16/09/2021 - 11:24
      +1

      Relax, it's 150mg of caffeine in a scoop.

      FDA recommends no more than 400mg a day, 200mg in a single serve.

      No different to downing a double shot of coffee, which a lot of people consume in their daily large takeaway coffee.

      • Drakesy on 16/09/2021 - 11:52
        +1

        This is what i was using back in the swoll days

        https://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/toxic-sports-…

        turns out it's not great for you in the long term.
        But yes, hence why i listed all the usual caffeine side effects associated with red bull. And it's a bit different to coffee given the other additives to it.

        Coffee is relatively natural, supplements are highly processed.

        • dpark88 on 16/09/2021 - 12:12

          Ah yes, I recall the DMAA days. I used a pre-workout called Craze that had the ingredient back when I didn't really care what was in my supps.

          I'll admit, it did wonders and gave you explosive energy. But yes, the health tradeoff wasn't worth it.

        • sampmel on 16/09/2021 - 13:33

          Noted. Thanks!

      • sampmel on 16/09/2021 - 13:32

        Thanks for that dpark88! I should keep an eye on my coffee consumption if continue to take pre-workout. Noted.

  • wiipantz on 16/09/2021 - 11:20
    +1

    Dry scoop double dose AM and PM… get mad results one way or another

  • DingoBilly on 16/09/2021 - 11:40
    +1

    I used similar compounds for many years while weightlifting. A lot of the individual ingredients are pretty harmless/well tested in the population as not being problematic. The caffeine can be pretty high in various forms but 150mg isn't too bad (assuming you are just having the one scoop). You can look up the individual ingredients here: www.examine.com, which walks you through the science of each and how effective they are. None of the ones you mentioned are regarded as unsafe or anything (although a lot of them may not be that effective).

    Main thing I found was that it just wasn't worth it from a cost basis. The main ingredient really seems to be caffeine - and you can just drink coffee/have caffeine tablets for a similar kick. Also - sometimes I'd work out in evening and having a high dose of caffeine was shit for sleep so had to stop.

    • sampmel on 16/09/2021 - 13:27

      From most of the comments just consuming the caffeine tablet seems to be a good idea. I will explore the website. Many thanks!

  • seraphim2017 on 16/09/2021 - 12:57
    +2

    Coffee before workout, can of tuna or grilled chicken breast and steamed veg afterwards, and lot of water.

    I don't sleep as I should (who had time?), but 8-9 hours of good quality sleep will give you more results when combined with a good exercise and diet.

    The gains from non dietaries don't seem to self sustain on 'off' cycles, and your gut enzymes evolved to process foods.

    Australia has the most expensive wee in its drainage on the planet from supplements, and unless you're a hard gainer (you may be) whose willing to risk it to look buff in your early to middle years, it's just more expensive than food, and nowhere near as tasty!

    • sampmel on 16/09/2021 - 13:26

      Coffee before workout, can of tuna or grilled chicken breast and steamed veg afterwards, and lot of water.

      Thanks for this! I am just a regular guy who is trying hard to stay in shape. Nothing too hard or fancy. :)

  • defro on 16/09/2021 - 13:10
    +1

    Long term effects of most from what I can see there is pretty safe.
    I know in RARE cases creatine can cause kidney issues in people if taken long term as this can increase creatinine levels. Creatine has also been shown to increase DHT levels so may cause earlier balding if you are predisposed to it.
    It's not just the caffeine, its a mix of vasodilators which increase blood flow and dilate your veins which also helps increase performance, things that increase your motivation on a neurotransmitter level as it has Tyrosine which is the building block for dopamine (i've even seen macuna pruniens being used in some formulas which is a natural treatment for parkinsons as it contains L- DOPA and other proven stuff like creatine which increase your ATP stores which increase strength.
    Most of the stuff in there has been proven to increase performance (maybe not massively) but in small amounts.
    Some people even just get addicted to the feeling of Beta alanine which produces tingles in your skin.
    If you want to research what's in it i'd recommend going to www.selfhacked.com and search the ingredients so you have a better idea what you're putting in your body.

    • sampmel on 16/09/2021 - 13:24

      Wow! quite a detailed explanation! I will have a look at the website. Thanks for that!

  • HeroNoone on 16/09/2021 - 13:16
    +1

    Sugar+water=preworkout mix

  • Jugganautx on 16/09/2021 - 13:52
    +1

    C4 is for newbies. Theres way better pre workout formulas out there.

    • carlJack on 16/09/2021 - 13:57

      Real lifters munch on Kali muscle hyphy mud

    • sampmel on 16/09/2021 - 14:45

      Like?

      • waterbottled on 16/09/2021 - 17:07
        +1

        You need to get educated on what's considered a good preworkout and what's considered a crappy one. C4 is low-tier because most of their ingredients are either in near useless doses (besides caffeine). Watch this video here why.

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