Two creatine powders walk into a bar(bell)…
Peas in a pod, or apples & oranges?
Picture this: it’ll be your first day at the gym, and you’re in the supplement aisle. Do you pick Creapure®, any old creatine powder, or go take a nap?
If the comfy couch doesn’t seduce you first, you may be left wondering what differences & similarities creatine monohydrate and Creapure® have. Are they just two sides of the same coin or entirely different beasts?
Well in this blog post, we’ll embark on a revealing journey that will uncover the truth about these two creatine forms.
I’ll be sharing all of their most important features, including how & where each of them are made, as well as their respective reputations in the sports science community.
The goal of this is to help each of us decide which one of these creatine supplement types would be the better fit for our own unique health & fitness needs.
Science resources included
As is my custom here on heydayDo, I will provide links to all of the relevant sports science and medical resources, clinical studies, & nutritional data used in this article.
TLDR: Creapure vs Creatine Monohydrate – What Matters Most
Creapure® is a form of creatine monohydrate.
Both Creapure® and regular creatine monohydrate (CM) can ramp up your energy levels & improve your athletic performance to help you gain lean muscle, get stronger, and aid muscle recovery.
But here’s the catch: Creapure® boasts higher purity, potency, and an outstanding sports research track record that ‘regular’ CM can’t match.
Plus generic CM sold in the USA has unwanted baggage like contaminants & loosely regulated manufacturing far away overseas.
So if your heart is set on top-notch quality & maximum effectiveness, Creapure® is the way to go.
But if those details don’t make your world spin, any creatine monohydrate will serve you just fine.
Understanding creatine
I want to go over creatine and Creapure® separately, so we can become familiar with their most important individual characteristics. Then we can focus on comparing Creapure & the most common form of creatine — creatine monohydrate — to each other in a variety of ways.
What is creatine?
In the simplest terms, creatine is a natural substance that our bodies make in our liver, kidneys, & pancreas.
It’s much more than just a buzzword among gym enthusiasts. It’s an important amino acid-like compound, found primarily in our muscle cells.
All the creatine our bodies make or we consume then turns into creatine phosphate in the body, which then helps create a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which provides the energy for muscle contractions.
The human body produces it from the amino acids glycine and arginine, but we can also acquire it from protein-rich foods like red meat and fish.
Interestingly, about 95% of the body’s creatine is stored in the skeletal muscles, turning into creatine phosphate to feed your muscles with power during high-intensity workouts.
How does creatine work in the body?
The magic of creatine unfolds when you put those muscles to work. Your body converts creatine into phosphocreatine, which is used to generate ATP – the molecule that your cells use for energy.
As you push through your workout, your ATP stores start to run out, causing your muscle strength and endurance to dwindle.
That’s when creatine takes the spotlight, donating a phosphate group to the depleted ATP, restoring it back to work and allowing you to maintain your workout intensity.
It’s like having an energy reserve when you need it the most.
What are the benefits of creatine supplementation?
The benefits of creatine supplementation extend beyond the gym walls. Sure, it’s renowned for enhancing strength, promoting lean muscle mass, and speeding up muscle recovery.
But did you know it also aids brain function? Studies have shown that creatine supplementation can help improve memory and intelligence, alongside physical benefits.
Notably, the International Society of Sports Nutrition suggests that creatine supplementation has been proven to enhance the quality of resistance training, generally leading to 5 to 15 percent greater gains in strength and performance.
Understanding Creapure®
Now let’s get to know the highest quality form of creatine monohydrate currently on the planet.
I’ll go over this a bit later, but just know that all of the dozens of supplement companies in the US that sell creatine brag up the sports performance benefits supposedly provided by their version of creatine.
But the cold truth of the matter is, no sports science study ever used those companies’ generic form of creatine monohydrate to base their research trial on, no way.
Supplement industry secret: Strength & conditioning clinical trials showing creatine’s effectiveness have almost exclusively used Creapure® for years, and for good reason too.
What is Creapure?
Creapure® is more than just a brand – it’s a symbol of purity and effectiveness in the world of creatine supplements.
Manufactured by Alzchem Trostberg GmbH in Germany, Creapure is made from creatine monohydrate, the most used and most studied form of creatine globally.
But it’s not merely about being just another product on the shelf – Alzchem has created an epitome of quality. They have dedicated a state-of-the-art production facility exclusively for manufacturing Creapure.
Each production batch undergoes rigorous internal and external quality controls, accompanied by scientific analysis, to ensure the highest possible quality.
How does Creapure differ from regular creatine?
The distinction between Creapure® and regular creatine is stark – it all boils down to quality, purity, and origin.
Almost all creatine monohydrate sold in the USA, unless explicitly labeled as Creapure, is manufactured in China, and quality standards are lax.
In contrast, Creapure is meticulously crafted at Alzchem’s dedicated creatine facility, where the strict quality controls set Creapure apart – it’s the cleanest creatine product you can find.
Tests have repeatedly confirmed the pristine purity of Creapure, showing no trace of unwanted contaminants like DHT (dihydrotriazine) & DCD (dicyanimide) that are often found in generic creatine monohydrate.
Benefits of Creapure supplementation
While the benefits of Creapure® mirror those of creatine, its ultra-purity enhances its potency, making it incrementally more effective. It’s 99.99% pure, which means every serving gives you the maximum benefit.
Moreover, Creapure’s assurance of being contamination-free adds a significant health advantage that regular creatine monohydrate cannot guarantee.
And here’s an added bonus – Creapure is vegan and exclusively synthesized chemically, with no traces of animal or herbal byproducts, and it’s also certified Kosher & Halal.
This means it’s suitable for everyone, irrespective of dietary preferences or restrictions.
Science behind the Creapure vs creatine monohydrate comparison
There are a handful of key areas where I want to compare these two creatine forms, because I think it’ll help illustrate just how different these two types of creatine monohydrate actually are:
- purity;
- effectiveness;
- safety & regulatory compliance;
- research-based evidence.
Purity of the Products
When it comes to creatine monohydrate, purity matters – and that’s where Creapure® really shines. Take a look at the contaminants DHT (dihydrotriazine) and DCD (dicyandiamide), for instance.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends that DHT levels should not exceed 3 mg/kg. In Creapure, DHT is undetectable – it’s literally off the charts, but in the good way.
On the other hand, 20 generic creatine monohydrate brands that were tested averaged a whopping 25 mg/kg of DHT, over eight times the recommended safety limit.
And what about DCD? EFSA recommends its level to be under 50 mg/kg. Creapure keeps this under control with just 20 mg/kg. And those generic brands? They come in at an average of 110 mg/kg – over twice the recommended limit.
It’s clear Creapure takes purity seriously, and regular CM manufacturing does not.
As for creatinine, it doesn’t really pose a health concern if ingested, even though it’s slightly higher in generic brands (70 mg/kg) compared to Creapure (40 mg/kg). While EFSA doesn’t provide a limit, lower is still better, so Creapure wins in this regard as well.
Effectiveness of Creapure vs. other creatine forms
Now purity is one thing, but what about how well the creatine works in your body?
The great thing about Creapure® is that it has been the go-to creatine used in dozens of sports science and strength & conditioning studies for years, so its effectiveness is very well-documented.
A recent study published in the journal Helyion in 2022 affirmed Creapure’s reputation as the gold standard of creatine monohydrate.
It also found that about 90% of non-creatine monohydrate ‘alternative’ creatine products lacked any evidence of efficacy despite their high-flown marketing claims.
In contrast, Creapure was identified as the preferred creatine source in research trials, thanks to its unsurpassed purity.
This study also highlighted an unsettling trend: many supplement manufacturers would use studies conducted using Creapure to make claims about their own products – a practice that lacks scientific integrity.
Notably, a parallel study by Kreider et al. — Kreider is one of the top creatine researchers over the past 20+ years, by the way — reiterated that not all creatine monohydrate is created equal.
The authors outlined the meticulous process of synthesizing Creapure and how it ensures 99.9% pure creatine monohydrate with zero contaminants.
This level of purity is unmatched, especially when compared to the USA’s main source of creatine monohydrate (manufacturers in China) that has been found to contain undesirable contaminants.
Creapure vs. other creatine: safety and regulatory compliance
As a dedicated athlete or fitness enthusiast, you not only want a product that works, but you also want one that is safe and follows all the necessary regulations. Here again Creapure shows its stripes.
Firstly, Creapure is on the very selective Cologne List® and is thus regularly tested for banned substances. By using products on this list, athletes minimize the risk of accidentally falling foul of doping regulations. Talk about peace of mind!
Secondly, the production of Creapure uses the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system, a globally recognized system for reducing the risk of safety hazards in food.
As the FDA describes it, HACCP is a system that helps to identify, assess, and control health risks in food production – and Creapure has that covered too.
But that’s not all. Alzchem Trostberg GmbH, the producer of Creapure, is certified for several ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards, including:
- ISO 9001 for quality management,
- ISO 14001 for environmental management,
- and ISO 50001 for energy management.
These globally recognized certifications are a testament to Creapure’s commitment to quality, safety, and environmental responsibility.
Research-based evidence comparing Creapure to generic CM?
To my knowledge, no one’s conducted a study directly comparing athletic performance results between Creapure® and regular creatine monohydrate.
Despite that, the accumulated research evidence over the past 20 years solidly positions Creapure as the benchmark for creatine monohydrate.
The reason is simple: Creapure, with its 99.9% purity, has been the primary source of creatine used in countless clinical trials to establish the various benefits, safety, and performance effectiveness of creatine monohydrate.
Bottom line: Creapure vs. creatine monohydrate comparison
In summary, Creapure isn’t just a fancier version of creatine monohydrate; it’s a meticulously crafted, rigorously tested, and highly trusted product that takes the guesswork out of supplementation.
It’s the difference between choosing something good and opting for something great.
Who Creapure is right for, and who’s better off with generic CM
(The following section is not recommendations I got from an expert in strength & conditioning or from an advanced sports nutrition guru, it’s just me sharing my own feelings on this topic that I’m very familiar with.) 😊
Creapure’s a great choice if: you’re willing to pay a little more for top-notch quality, max effectiveness, and the peace of mind that 99.99% purity provides.
Regular creatine monohydrate’s a good choice for you if: you’re budget-conscious but still want to benefit from creatine, and don’t mind a little less transparency about source ingredients or the potential trace elements of manufacturing byproducts.
My creatine path
I’ve been using creatine monohydrate for almost 20 years now. I switched to Creapure 7 or 8 years ago, and here’s how & why.
First I discovered that Creapure even existed and then I immediately immersed into learning about how it’s made with super strict standards, and how it is the standard form used in creatine sports & muscular performance studies.
Those two things made a big difference for me, convinced me to give it a try, and I’ve been using it ever since.
You see, there are hundreds of companies out there cutting corners to save a few bucks. They know most people aren’t in the know about how supplements are produced, so attractive sweaty fitness models & marketing hype can cover up some sketchy truths, for sure.
Purity trumps contaminants any day for me. I’ll pay a bit more for a quality product that’s 100% transparent about how it’s made.
(I roll with Muscle Feast’s Creapure. Using ol’ Amazon’s Subscribe & Save it doesn’t cost very much per month…something like 40-50¢ a day.)
Your choice
So Creapure is for you if you value purity and aren’t afraid to pay a bit more for that peace of mind.
It’s a top pick for athletes who can’t risk banned substances and for anyone who cares about the safety and efficacy of what they’re putting in their bodies.
On the other hand, generic creatine monohydrate isn’t all bad.
If you’re on a budget and aren’t too worried about minimal contaminants, it can still be a solid option. Just make sure you choose a brand that’s transparent about their testing.
The key is to make informed choices. Know where your creatine comes from, how it’s made, and what it’s up to.
It’s your body, your budget, and your peace of mind, so always go with what’s best for you right now.
FAQ
Here are answers to a few of the most commonly asked questions regarding Creapure® and creatine.
Are you natty if you take creatine?
Yes, you're still considered "natty" if you take creatine. Creatine isn't a steroid, it's a naturally occurring amino acid found in your body's muscle cells, used to enhance muscular energy.
Can creatine affect female fertility?
There's no evidence suggesting creatine affects female fertility negatively. Studies suggest maternal creatine supplementation could potentially support fetal development and function, particularly in preterm infants.
Will creatine break a fast?
Since studies show creatine does not seem to have an impact on insulin levels, many nutrition and fitness experts agree that taking it shouldn't technically break a fast, though everyone's body is unique.
What happens if you forget to take creatine?
If you forget to take creatine, no worries. It's stored in your muscles, so missing a dose won't have a significant effect if your muscle stores are optimal. Just pick up with your regular dose the next day.
Is Creapure or creatine monohydrate better?
Both Creapure and creatine monohydrate have benefits. Creapure is a form of creatine monohydrate known for its purity & effectiveness, while generic creatine monohydrate is budget-friendly, but not as clean.
Is Creapure good for you?
Creapure is good for you, provided it's taken as directed. It's almost 100% pure creatine monohydrate, ensuring high quality & effectiveness without the unwanted contaminants found in ‘regular’ creatine.
What are the benefits of Creapure creatine monohydrate?
Creapure creatine monohydrate offers several benefits like improved strength, lean muscle mass, & enhanced recovery. It's also known for its purity and for being the creatine successfully used in most sports science studies.
Which creatine is best for muscle growth?
Creatine monohydrate is the best for muscle growth, and Creapure is its gold standard version. Most successful studies on creatine used Creapure, proving its effectiveness. Other forms of creatine lack this robust research support.
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Wrapping up
As we conclude this comparison, let me recap the key points we’ve touched on throughout this article:
- Both Creapure® and creatine monohydrate (CM) help in boosting physical performance and promoting muscle growth.
- Creapure® is a form of CM that’s well-known for its extreme purity and high manufacturing standards.
- Creapure® is the only CM made in the western hemisphere.
- All ‘regular’ creatine monohydrate sold in the USA is made in China.
- Generic creatine monohydrate is more cost-effective but may contain impurities, some at levels above European Food Safety Assn. standards.
- Creapure® offers nearly 100% purity and undergoes stringent quality checks, justifying its higher cost than regular CM.
- Research supports creatine monohydrate as the most effective form of creatine for muscle growth — particularly Creapure® — since most successful studies used it & not ‘regular’ CM.
Remember, what’s important is finding what works best for you and aligns with your values. Enjoy your fitness journey, and here’s to a stronger, healthier you.
– greg
