Creatine hydrochloride (HLC) claims to be the newest and most powerful form of creatine to date (2011). It is found in products such as Con-cret and GNC AMP 189. But is it really as amazing as it claims to be? If so, what makes it so great?
Reported Effects:
1) Instantly increases strength
2) Instantly increases endurance
3) Helps one to gain muscle faster.
Creatine hydrochloride (HLC) is said to absorb into the blood stream within 10-25 minutes after consumption. The reason it is able to do this is because the molecular structure is extremely stable no matter what environment it is in. This means that whether it’s in an acidic, neutral, or alkaline environment, the molecular structure will not be harmed.
One of the inventors of this molecule, Mark Faulkner, claims that creatine HCL is much more water soluble and bioavailable. This allows for the creatine to be fully absorbed into the bloodstream of the user. He states that creatine HCL is 59X more water soluble than creatine monohydrate.
One major advantage of creatine HCL vs creatine monohydrate is that there is no need to cycle. Since there is virtually no molecular breakdown in the stomach, there isn’t any creatinine created. Creatinine is a toxin that can harm the users kidneys and liver. Creatine monohydrate can also take hours for the creatine to reach the users skeletal muscle tissue.
Since creatine HCL is 59X more soluable than creatine monohydrate, there is much more potential of the creatine reaching the blood stream. This is the whole point of consuming creatine, to try and saturate your muscle tissue with creatine that is perfectly intact.
The most important thing to remember when taking any form of creatine is to stay well hydrated. Mark states that anyone who takes creatine HCL doesn’t need to drink more than their standard daily recommendation for athletes, but at the same time, needs to be sure to stay well hydrated. 1.0-1.5 gallons of water per day is recommended for active men.
What happens when you take creatine and you dehydrate yourself? The symptoms are similar to standard dehydration, however additional health risks can occur to one’s kidneys. Let’s look at common side effects that occur when someone supplements with creatine HCL and doesn’t hydrate properly.
Possible Dangers:
1) Some users experience muscle cramps
2) Can cause headaches
3) Dizzyness has been reported
Since creatine HCL doesn’t breakdown in the stomach, no toxins occur. This will spare your kidneys from any possible damage when dosing properly. The human body can only absorb so much creatine before the muscle tissue is fully saturated. Because of this, there is no benefit to “doubling the dosage” when it comes to creatine HCL.
If you try to over saturate your body with creatine HCL, you will simply discharge the creatine in your urine and tax your liver and kidneys in the process due to the filtration demands. However, if you do use creatine HCL correctly (1 gram per 100 lbs of body weight), any healthy person will be completely safe.
Studies:
Creatine HCL was created by accident in 2003 when the biochemists were trying to synthesize creatine ethyl ester hydrochloride. As a result a more stable and soluble form of creatine, creatine hcl was created. Since then, not a lot of studies have been reported.
One study performed in the University of Manitoba 2009 reported that creatine HCL is in fact easier for the body to absorb. This study was featured in the October 2009 Muscle & Fitness. Here are the conclusions from the study…
- Creatine HCL has an improved oral absorption rate when compared to creatine monohydrate.
- Creatine HCL has been proven to be more water soluble than other forms of creatine.
- Creatine HCL is more effective at raising creatine levels in the body than other creatines.
It was said that the subjects who injested creatine HCL had 47% more creatine in their bloodstream than those who injested creatine monohydrate. It is also worth noting that the doses of creatine were equal for both monohydrate and HCL.
Products Containing Creatine HCL:
- ProMera Health Con-cret
- GNC AMP 189
- MusclePharm Creatine
- MusclePharm Assault
- MuscleTech NeuroCore
Conclusion:
Creatine HCL proves to be a very effective form of creatine. It does very well seem to be the most bioavailable and soluble form of creatine on the market. The purest form of Creatine HCL is in ProMera Health Con-Cret. The creatine used in GNC’s AMP 189 is synthesized a little differently using polyethylene glycol, which may inhibit full absorption of the creatine in the body, however this is not for certain.
Overall, this creatine comes very recommended. Out of more than 400 ratings on bodybuilding.com, con-cret has a rating of 9.2 which is phenomenal. For overall effectiveness, creatine HCL is very effective just like 1 3 Dimethylamylamine, the difference here is that creatine HCL is safe for consumption.