Creatine Monohydrate (Creapure)

Creatine Monohydrate (Creapure) is a highly purified synthetic form of creatine (~99.99% purity), composed of creatine bound to one molecule of water. Per 5 g serving (standard dose): Creatine: ~4.40 g (88% creatine by weight, remainder is water of crystallization ~12%). Contains no significant macronutrients — essentially 0 g protein, 0 g fat, 0 g carbohydrates, and 0 g fiber. Caloric value is negligible (~0 kcal). No vitamins or minerals present. Primary bioactive compound is creatine itself (methylguanidino-acetic acid, molecular weight 131.13 g/mol), which is endogenously synthesized from arginine, glycine, and methionine. Creapure is manufactured via chemical synthesis (not from animal byproducts), free of contaminants such as dicyandiamide (DCD), dihydrotriazine (DHT), and creatinine (kept below 67 ppm). Bioavailability: Oral bioavailability is high (~99% absorption from the GI tract when taken with adequate water). Uptake into skeletal muscle occurs via the sodium- and chloride-dependent creatine transporter (SLC6A8). Intramuscular creatine stores increase by approximately 20–40% with a loading protocol (20 g/day for 5–7 days) or gradually with a maintenance dose (3–5 g/day over 28 days). Approximately 1.7% of total creatine pool is non-enzymatically converted to creatinine daily and excreted renally. Co-ingestion with carbohydrates (~50 g simple sugars) or carbohydrates plus protein enhances muscle creatine uptake by ~25% due to insulin-mediated stimulation of the creatine transporter. Note: Although categorized under 'Protein,' creatine monohydrate is not a protein; it is a nitrogenous organic acid and does not contribute to dietary protein intake.