Creatine Boost

What makes Creapure® different from other brands of creatine?

Creapure® is the most widely studied form of creatine and is proven to be safe and effective. According to one study/analysis (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9761713/) — "The type of creatine primarily used in research to establish its safety and efficacy has traditionally been a micronized creatine monohydrate (CM) made by AlzChem in Germany under the brand name Creapure®; this brand of CM has been reported to produce CM that is 99.9% pure. Thus, it is typically considered the gold standard. CM may also come from sources produced in China that have different starting materials such as sarcosinates and S-alkylisothiourea (as opposed to sodium sarcosinate, acetic acid, and cyanamide) and have been reported to produce more contaminants due to the methods used to manufacture it.”

Is Hammer Creatine Boost vegan-friendly?

Yes. According to the manufacturer: Creapure® is vegan and exclusively manufactured by chemical synthesis. Raw materials and intermediates are not derived from animal or herbal products resulting in no traces that may have originated from animal or herbal byproducts.

Is Hammer Creatine Boost Kosher?

Yes, the Creapure® creatine monohydrate in Hammer Creatine Boost is produced in compliance with Jewish regulations Kosher certified.

Do I need to do a loading phase with Hammer Creatine Boost?

You can but it isn’t an absolute necessity. Some research (https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z) suggests creatine loading–4 x 5-gram servings daily for 5 to 7 days–may help boost muscle stores of creatine by up 40%. However, other studies have found that lower doses of creatine taken once daily can be equally effective at maximizing your stores of creatine, though it may take up to 3 weeks. One serving (5 grams) of Hammer Creatine Boost once daily is our suggested dose.

Do I need to “cycle” off Hammer Creatine Boost for a period of time before using it again?

Using creatine in a cycle of 3 weeks “on” and 1 week “off” was the recommendation years ago, and some suggest that it may be beneficial to follow this protocol. However, there is no need to take any time off using creatine (i.e., it does not need to be cycled). Because creatine does not act upon any receptors and there is no known “sensitivity” (i.e., build-up tolerance issues), there is no need to take a break from using Hammer Creatine Boost on a daily basis.

What does micronized mean and how does it make for a better creatine product?

Micronized is a process that reduces particle size. Micronized creatine has significantly smaller particles, which makes the creatine powder easier to dissolve in water quickly, greatly minimizing potential stomach distress issues, and allowing for greater absorption in the body.

Can supplementing with Hammer Creatine Boost really help the brain?

Yes! While the research is ongoing, current research shows multiple brain health benefits with the use of creatine. The conclusion of a review of numerous brain specific studies with creatine supplementation (“Heads Up” for Creatine Supplementation and its Potential Applications for Brain Health and Function - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-023-01870-9), states: “Creatine supplementation can increase brain creatine content, which over time may help explain some of the promising effects on measures of brain health and function. Specifically, creatine supplementation has been shown to improve measures of cognition and memory (primarily in aging adults) and decreases symptoms of sleep deprivation in human and animal populations. Creatine supplementation also shows promise for alleviating some symptoms of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), including concussion, and characteristics of muscular dystrophy in humans. The efficacy of creatine for treating symptoms of depression and anxiety is also encouraging but clinical trials examining the effects of creatine (independent of pharmacological interventions) on these mood disorders are needed before a consensus can be reached.”

Does creatine have antioxidant properties?

Yes. Research (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8000194/) has shown that “creatine increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes and has the capability to eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) free radicals. Creatine protects two different and important cellular targets, mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) and RNA against oxidative damage. In addition, creatine has been shown to cause other related effects that help the cell to survive and function under oxidative stress.”

Does creatine cause kidney damage/renal dysfunction?

A portion from the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: “Questions and concerns involving creatine supplementation and kidney damage/renal dysfunction are common. In terms of pervasive misinformation in the sport nutrition arena, the notion that creatine supplementation leads to kidney damage/renal dysfunction is perhaps second only to the myth that protein supplementation and high habitual protein intake causes kidney damage. Today, after > 20 years of research which demonstrates no adverse effects from recommended dosages of creatine supplements on kidney health, unfortunately, this concern persists. While the origin is unknown, the connection between creatine supplementation and kidney damage/renal dysfunction could be traced back to two things: a poor understanding of creatine and creatinine metabolism and a case study published in 1998. In skeletal muscle, both creatine and PCr (phosphocreatine) are degraded non-enzymatically to creatinine, which is exported to the blood and excreted in the urine. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine, which would otherwise increase in the blood.”

“It is prudent to be cautious when ingesting any dietary supplement or medication. Survey data indicates that creatine supplementation usage ranges between 8-74% in athletes and other exercising individuals (reviewed in Rawson et al.). Even with a low estimate of 8% of exercising individuals using creatine supplements, this indicates thousands of exposures across several decades. If the link between creatine supplementation and kidney health was valid, there would be an expected increase in kidney damage/renal dysfunction in low risk (i.e. young, physically fit, healthy) individuals since 1992 after Harris et al. published their seminal work. After nearly 30 years of post-marketing surveillance, thousands of exposures, and multiple clinical trials, no such evidence exists.”

For more, please see jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-021-00412-w

Can I mix Hammer Creatine Boost in with Recoverite to enhance recovery?

A resounding “YES!” Given creatine’s antioxidant properties, along with its ability to help reduce muscle soreness, adding 1 serving (5g) of Hammer Creatine Boost to a 2-scoop serving of Recoverite (or Vegan Recoverite) will definitely enhance recovery.

What is sarcopenia and how does Hammer Creatine Boost address this condition?

From research at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6518405/ - “Sarcopenia, defined as the age-related decrease in muscle mass, strength and physical performance, is associated with reduced bone mass and elevated low-grade inflammation. From a healthy aging perspective, interventions which overcome sarcopenia are clinically relevant. Accumulating evidence suggests that exogenous creatine supplementation has the potential to increase aging muscle mass, muscle performance, and decrease the risk of falls and possibly attenuate inflammation and loss of bone mineral.”