Ingredient intelligence · non-production preview

Creatine monohydrate

Not medically reviewed

creatine formentity:ingredient:creatine-monohydrateCompare this ingredient View evidence

Identity structure

Parent and form relationships

Ingredients, supplement concepts, supplement-form projections, and commercial products remain separate records.

Parent supplement

Creatineentity:supplement:creatine

Related ingredient forms

No sibling ingredient form is modeled in this pilot.

Origin is not a quality score

Origin classification is not assigned for this pilot. MEDucated does not rank naturally occurring or manufactured ingredients as better or worse based on origin.

Evidence availability

Direct ingredient evidence boundaries

Supplement-level evidence is reused only when a frozen source block explicitly names this ingredient or form. Missing topics remain unavailable.

Identity and what it is

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Common uses

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Biological role

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

What evidence has studied

A frozen NIH ODS source explicitly identifies this ingredient or form. Source wording is preserved without creating a new conclusion.

Source-backed preview

Structural characterization

Evidence profile

No overall rating assigned

Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 4 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence not identified in the frozen metadata
Randomized trials: Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
Evidence recency: 1997–2017
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

Inspect technical evidence details

Evidence types identified

Study type could not be determined4

Source-described limitations

No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, Ziegenfuss TN, Wildman R, Collins R, Candow DG, Kleiner SM, Almada AL, Lopez HL. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:18. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Kreider RB. Effects of creatine supplementation on performance and training adaptations. Mol Cell Biochem 2003;244:89-94. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Volek JS, Kraemer WJ, Bush JA, Boetes M, Incledon T, Clark KL, Lynch JM. Creatine supplementation enhances muscular performance during high-intensity resistance exercise. J Am Diet Assoc 1997;97:765-70. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Skare O-C, Skadberg O, Wisnes AR. Creatine supplementation improves sprint performance in male sprinters. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2001;11:96-102. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed

Read imported source wording

Studies in both laboratory and sports settings have found that short-term creatine supplementation (for 5 to 7 days) in both men and women often significantly increases strength (e.g., for bench presses) and power (e.g., for cycling), work involving multiple sets of maximal effort muscle contractions, and sprinting and soccer performance [112,115]. In one example, a study randomized 14 healthy, resistance-trained men (age 19–29 years) to receive 25 g creatine monohydrate or a placebo for 6–7 days [116]. Participants taking the supplement had significant improvements in peak power output during all five sets of jump squats and in repetitions during all five sets of bench presses on three occasions. In another study, 18 well-trained male sprinters age 18–24 years received either 20 g/day creatine or a placebo for 5 days [117]. Compared with those taking the placebo, participants taking the creatine improved their performance in both 100-meter sprints and six intermittent 60-m sprints.

Where did MEDucated get this?

Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance

Publisher: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Revision: April 1, 2024
Source fingerprint: 7a77ecb53239a7de4420bcdd7894f04b8efeeedb8c8517ad2569ff5f1278e764
Source blocks: ingredient-block:creatine-monohydrate:ods-block:exercise-athletic-performance-health-professional:efficacy:1

Inspect the official source

Source attribution does not imply NIH or ODS endorsement of MEDucated.

Potential benefits studied

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Safety considerations

A frozen NIH ODS source explicitly identifies this ingredient or form. Source wording is preserved without creating a new conclusion.

Source-backed preview

Structural characterization

Evidence profile

No overall rating assigned

Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 3 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence not identified in the frozen metadata
Randomized trials: Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
Evidence recency: 2010–2017
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

Inspect technical evidence details

Evidence types identified

Study type could not be determined3

Source-described limitations

No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Helms ER, Aragon AA, Fitschen PJ. Evidence-based recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: nutrition and supplementation. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2014;11:20. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, Ziegenfuss TN, Wildman R, Collins R, Candow DG, Kleiner SM, Almada AL, Lopez HL. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:18. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Salomons GS, Jakobs C, Wyss M. Creatine. In: Coates PM, Betz JM, Blackman MR, Cragg GM, Levine M, Moss J, White JD, eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements, 2nd ed. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare;2010:202-207.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed

Studies have found no consistent set of side effects from creatine use, except that it often leads to weight gain, because it increases water retention and possibly stimulates muscle protein synthesis [112,113]. Several studies have found that supplemental creatine monohydrate, when used for a strength-training program, can lead to a 1–2 kg increase in total body weight in a month [73].

Where did MEDucated get this?

Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance

Publisher: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Revision: April 1, 2024
Source fingerprint: 7a77ecb53239a7de4420bcdd7894f04b8efeeedb8c8517ad2569ff5f1278e764
Source blocks: ingredient-block:creatine-monohydrate:ods-block:exercise-athletic-performance-health-professional:safety:1

Inspect the official source

Source attribution does not imply NIH or ODS endorsement of MEDucated.

Side effects

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Medication interactions

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Supplement interactions

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Food interactions

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Forms and chemical variants

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Intake and dose reference information

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Populations needing caution

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Pregnancy and lactation

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Laboratory and test considerations

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Regulatory status

Direct source evidence for this ingredient topic is not yet available in MEDucated.

Evidence unavailable

Evidence limitations

A frozen NIH ODS source explicitly identifies this ingredient or form. Source wording is preserved without creating a new conclusion.

Source-backed preview

Structural characterization

Evidence profile

No overall rating assigned

Evidence source: NIH ODS evidence synthesis
Linked references: 8 identified
Human evidence: Human evidence not identified in the frozen metadata
Randomized trials: Randomized trials not identified in the frozen metadata
Reviews and meta-analyses: Systematic reviews or meta-analyses not identified in the frozen metadata
Evidence recency: 2010–2017
Source-described consistency: Not characterized in these source blocks
MEDucated evidence rating: Not assigned

Reference counts describe frozen source associations; a larger count does not establish stronger evidence.

Inspect technical evidence details

Evidence types identified

Study type could not be determined8

Source-described limitations

No explicit limitation phrase was identified in these imported source blocks.

Classified references

Thomas DT, Erdman KA, Burke LM, MacKillop M. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and athletic performance. J Acad Nutr Diet 2016;116:501-28. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Australian Institute of Sport. ABCD Classification System. 2017.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Helms ER, Aragon AA, Fitschen PJ. Evidence-based recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: nutrition and supplementation. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2014;11:20. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, Ziegenfuss TN, Wildman R, Collins R, Candow DG, Kleiner SM, Almada AL, Lopez HL. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:18. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Salomons GS, Jakobs C, Wyss M. Creatine. In: Coates PM, Betz JM, Blackman MR, Cragg GM, Levine M, Moss J, White JD, eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements, 2nd ed. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare;2010:202-207.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Cooper R, Naclerio F, Allgrove J, Jimenez A. Creatine supplementation with specific view to exercise/sports performance: an update. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2012,9:33. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Operation Supplement Safety. Creatine supplements.
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed
Jager R, Purpura M, Shao A, Inoue T, Kreider RB. Analysis of the efficacy, safety, and regulatory status of novel forms of creatine. Amino Acids 2011;40:1369-83. [PubMed abstract]
Study type could not be determined · Population basis: unknown · Directness: not assessed

Read imported source wording

In a position statement, the AND, DoC, and ACSM advise that creatine enhances performance of cycles of high-intensity exercise followed by short recovery periods and improves training capacity [12]. In its position statement, the ISSN states that creatine monohydrate is the most effective nutritional supplement currently available for enhancing capacity for high-intensity exercise and lean body mass during exercise [112]. The ISSN contends that athletes who supplement with creatine have a lower incidence of injuries and exercise-related side effects compared to those who do not take creatine [112]. The Australian Institute of Sport supports the use of creatine for improving sports performance in suitable athletic competitions under the direction of an expert in sports medicine, but it notes that more research might be required to understand how the supplement should be used for best results [29].

A typical protocol for creatine supplementation in adults, regardless of sex or body size, consists of a loading phase for 5–7 days, when users consume 20 g/day creatine monohydrate in four portions of 5 g, followed by a maintenance phase of 3–5 g/day [112-114]. In some studies, the loading dose is based on body weight (e.g., 0.3 g/kg) [114]. Another creatine supplementation protocol consists of taking single doses of about 3–6 g/day (0.03–0.1 g/kg body weight) for 3 to 4 weeks, without a loading phase, to produce ergogenic effects [112,114,119].

Creatine monohydrate, which is 88% creatine by weight, is the most widely used and studied form [112,114,123]. Other, usually more expensive, forms of creatine (e.g., creatine ethyl ester, creatine alpha-ketoglutarate, and buffered forms of creatine) have not been proven to have superior ability to creatine monohydrate for enhancing muscle creatine levels, digestibility, product stability, or safety [73,112,123].

Where did MEDucated get this?

Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance

Publisher: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Revision: April 1, 2024
Source fingerprint: 7a77ecb53239a7de4420bcdd7894f04b8efeeedb8c8517ad2569ff5f1278e764
Source blocks: ingredient-block:creatine-monohydrate:ods-block:exercise-athletic-performance-health-professional:implications-for-use:1, ingredient-block:creatine-monohydrate:ods-block:exercise-athletic-performance-health-professional:implications-for-use:2, ingredient-block:creatine-monohydrate:ods-block:exercise-athletic-performance-health-professional:implications-for-use:3

Inspect the official source

Source attribution does not imply NIH or ODS endorsement of MEDucated.

Architecture readiness

Connected without overreaching

This identity can participate in future interaction and product-label models without creating an interaction conclusion or product score.

Interaction target ready

Canonical resolution

Exact names and registered aliases can resolve to entity:ingredient:creatine-monohydrate. Uncertain terms remain unresolved.

Product-label ready

Identity mapping only

Future labels can preserve literal wording, quantity, unit, serving basis, order, and source provenance separately from this identity.