Others Forms

What forms of creatine can you find here?

• Creatine HCL (Hydrochloride) - This is a form of creatine in which creatine is combined with hydrochloric acid, i.e. hydrochloride. This type of creatine is more water-soluble than traditional creatine monohydrate, which may help with better absorption and utilization by the body.
• Creatine nitrate - This is another form of creatine in which creatine is combined with nitrate. Creatine nitrate also has increased water solubility and may be more stable than creatine monohydrate.
• Kre-Alkalyn - This is a patented creatine product that is formulated to be more basic (alkaline) than traditional creatine. Kre-Alkalyn is approved by some supplement companies as a form of creatine that may be more stable and less susceptible to degradation in the acidic environment of the stomach, which may lead to better absorption by the body.

Mechanism of action of creatine

To understand the power of creatine, we need to go back to the body's primary energy source. Every muscle contraction, every movement, every kilogram lifted—it all requires energy. Your body's energy currency is a molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

ATP: Fuel for Explosive Power

Imagine ATP as a charged battery. When your muscles perform a sudden, intense effort—like sprinting, maximal lifting, or a dynamic strike in combat sports—the ATP "battery" discharges, releasing energy. After this process, ATP turns into ADP (adenosine diphosphate) – a "depleted battery."

The problem is that the ATP reserves in your muscles are extremely small. They only last for 2-3 seconds of maximum effort. If your body didn't have a system for rapidly "recharging" these batteries, your workout would end after the first repetition. And that's where creatine comes into play.

The Role of Phosphocreatine (PCr) – Rapidly Recharging Your "Batteries"

Creatine, which you consume through food or supplements, is transported to your muscles, where it is converted into phosphocreatine (PCr). Phosphocreatine is simply creatine with a phosphate group attached. It acts like a power bank for your muscles.

When ATP is used up and converted into ADP, phosphocreatine steps in. In a split second, it donates its phosphate group to ADP, rapidly regenerating it back into full-fledged, energy-packed ATP.

Simple Power Formula: PCr + ADP → ATP + Cr

This simple chemical formula is the secret to your strength. Creatine supplementation leads to a 20-40% increase in muscle phosphocreatine stores. More phosphocreatine means:

• Faster ATP regeneration during exercise.
• The ability to maintain maximum power for a longer period of time.
• The ability to perform more repetitions in a set.

Simply put:Creatine supplementation increases the capacity of your internal energy "power bank."

Anabolic effects of creatine

Many people think of creatine solely in terms of energy. This is a mistake. Creatine is a powerful anabolic (muscle-building) compound that works on several different levels.

Cell Volumization – Fuller Muscles Like Never Before

Creatine is an osmotically active substance. This means it attracts water. Once inside a muscle cell, it "pulls" water with it, increasing its volume. This phenomenon is called cellular volumization.

This isn't the same "water retention" you're afraid of. Water accumulates inside the muscles, not under the skin. Effects?

1. Visual: Muscles become fuller, harder, and more "packed."
2. Physiological (more important): The "tension" of the cell membrane caused by the increased amount of water is a powerful anabolic signal. The body interprets this as a sign that the cell needs to grow. This triggers a cascade of processes that lead toleading to increased muscle protein synthesis and reduced protein breakdown (catabolism).

Effects on Hormones and Growth Factors

Studies show that creatine supplementation can influence the hormonal environment, making it more conducive to muscle growth. Among other things, an increase in the level of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), one of the most powerful anabolic hormones in the body, has been observed. Additionally, creatine can activate satellite cells—muscle stem cells that are essential for muscle repair and the formation of new muscle fibers.

How does creatine work on the brain?

Did you know that your brain uses about 20% of your body's total energy? It also uses the ATP-phosphocreatine system to power the intense activity of neurons. Therefore, the benefits of creatine supplementation extend far beyond sports.

• Improved Cognitive Function: Increased energy reserves in the brain can lead to improved short-term memory, logical thinking, and information processing speed.
• Reduced Mental Fatigue: Creatine supplementation can significantly reduce mental fatigue during demanding mental tasks or under sleep deprivation.
• Support for Vegans and Vegetarians: Because meat is the natural source of creatine, people on plant-based diets have significantly lower creatine stores. For them, supplementation brings particularly clear benefits, both physically and cognitively.