Creatine is one of the most popular supplements on the sports nutrition market. Creatine comes in many forms and you may not understand what they all do. In this article, we'll be looking at Creatine Nitrate.
What is Creatine Nitrate?
Creatine Nitrate is a new form of creatine in which the base molecule that creates the standard creatine monohydrate, is now found in a nitrate group. This means that the creatine compound is now bonded to a nitrogen base, hence creating Creatine Nitrate. The reason for the bonding of the nitrate group to creatine is to possibly help increase the solubility of the compound within the body post-consumption.
By increasing the solubility of creatine, Creatine Nitrate allows for a higher concentration of creatine to be absorbed by the body using the same 5g dose of creatine most athletes recommend. However, since it is now absorbed much easier and the dose is now concentrated, one is able to lower the daily dose to around half that, meaning you should consume only 2.5g of creatine nitrate.
Are There Any Issues With Creatine Nitrate?
The only issue with Creatine Nitrate is that there are currently insufficient studies available to present any truth to the claim of the product actually working. However, current studies show that Creatine Monohydrate is absorbed within the body at rates as high as 98%. This means that a mere 2% of the creatine consumed does not get used and will end up as a waste byproduct. This is a very low amount of waste and so low that there's really no reason to even thinks about it as a waste at all.
However, Creatine Nitrate studies show that 100% of the creatine is absorbed which results in none is wasted. Although this may sound like it’s a better product, remember that we are looking at a difference of 2% absorption levels between creatine monohydrate and creatine nitrate.
Creatine Nitrate vs. Creatine Monohydrate
One thing that creatine nitrate does offer is an advantage for bodybuilders over the standard creatine monohydrate is that it is attached to a nitrate group. Nitrate, or nitrogen atoms, is what helps the increase in oxygen levels in the bloodstream, which allows for a significantly greater pump when lifting heavy weights.
However, it is up to you whether the increased cost of Creatine Nitrate is worth incurring when the benefits of Creatine Monohydrate are minimal.
Take Home Message
So when it comes down to wondering if Creatine Nitrate is the new form of creatine that everyone should switch over to, I strongly believe that it is a preference. Although the absorption levels of nitrate are higher than monohydrate, the mere 2% difference isn’t enough to provide the body with any significant difference in change between the two products.
Which one you decide to take is simply going to have to be down to your preference, as creatine nitrate and creatine monohydrate, when compared side by side, offer the exact same benefits as one another, while the only major difference is that creatine monohydrate requires around 5g per dose and creatine nitrate requires around half, 2.5g per dose in order to provide the body with any significant results.
Which do I recommend? Well, in this case, I recommend you to purchase whichever is the cheaper of the two products. Considering they both offer the same results as one another, buying the cheaper of the two products will be the only logical reason to differentiate between the two products.
Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you're concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.
