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Creatine ethyl ester

Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL (CEE) is a creatine monohydrate with an attached ester. Esters are organic compounds formed by esterification - the reaction of carboxylic acid and alcohol. The idea originally came from medical researchers at the University of Nebraska. The addition of the ester group increases the ability of a creatine oil molecule to pass through certain cell membranes, for example in the gastrointestinal tract (resulting in improved absorption), in muscle cells and in nerve cells. The intention of the Nebraska researchers was to improve the absorption and uptake of creatine and thus increase its use for patients who had lost a lot of body weight due to cancer.

What does it do and what scientific studies are there to support this?

Regular creatine monohydrate is effective in increasing lean muscle mass 1,2,3,4, muscle strength 5,6 and athletic performance 7,8.

However, regular creatine monohydrate is poorly absorbed by the body - and its effectiveness is dependent on the ability of cells to absorb it. The poor absorption rate of normal creatine monohydrate therefore requires the creatine user to take large doses of creatine to achieve the desired effect.

Because creatine draws water to the cell and most of the creatine monohydrate ingested is not absorbed, unabsorbed creatine remains outside the target cell along with the water, resulting in "creatine bloat".

Long-term clinical studies have proven that creatine monohydrate is safe for use in individuals who have no medical complications9, but why would you want to take more creatine monohydrate than you need to just because your creatine is ineffective?

Creatine ethyl ester is a creatine monohydrate with an ester attached. The attachment of an ester is important because esters are found in the fatty tissue of animals. But why is this important? What role does it play in the absorption of creatine?

All substances that you add to your body will affect its processes. There are three ways in which substances can affect a cellular process. These are:

  • Ligands that bind to protein receptors.
  • Secondary messenger / metabotropic systems.
  • Passive penetration of the cell wall via lipids.

When a substance enters the body and influences the body's processes, it is called a ligand. The soma and dendrites of the cell have protein receptors to which ligands can bind. The process of a ligand binding to a receptor is related to that of a lock and key system: only keys of a certain type work with certain locks. When they work and cause cell stimulation, they are called agonists. If they prevent the cell from functioning, they are called antagonists. If a ligand binds to the receptor of a target cell, the cell will, in the simplest of all cases, change its shape, open its ion channels and change its function. In so-called "secondary messengers" or metabotropic cells, the ligand binds to the receptor and an internal protein, known as G-protein, is released. This released protein then binds to an internal site within the cell and then the cell changes its behavior by opening its ion channels. Cells that function in this way are called metabotropic cells because their work requires metabolic energy. Passive penetration is a process that describes the spread of a substance across a cell membrane through the use of lipids as transport mechanisms. Because no "work" is done by the cell in this model, it is referred to as "passive penetration". Creatine monohydrate uses lipids to penetrate the cell wall and enter the cell. Therefore, the esterification of creatine and the presence of esters in animal adipose tissue is significant.

Creatine monohydrate is semi-lipopholic. This means that it uses fat as a transport mechanism without effect. Esterification of substances will increase their lipophilic capabilities and esterified creatine will therefore use fat more efficiently to penetrate the cell wall and utilize its effects on cell function in contrast to its non-esterified creatine monohydrate counterpart.

This simply means that not only will the dosing needs be lower, but the absorption of esterified creatine will be increased and the infamous "creatine bloat" will be eliminated!

Who needs it and what are some of the deficiency symptoms?

Creatine ethyl ester can benefit people of all ages as it has the same benefits as regular creatine monohydrate. Many multiple sclerosis patients do not respond to creatine, but this is said not to be the case with the improved absorption of CEE.

Is creatine ethyl ester really real?

There has been much disagreement about creatine ethyl ester. Companies and individuals with a financial interest in promoting creatine monohydrate products have tried to discredit creatine ethyl ester. Some companies have even gone so far as to promote laboratory reports stating that Creatine Ethyl Ester is not genuine. Included on this page are two COA'S - Certificates of Analysis - which prove that Creatine Ethyl Ester is genuine. These two certificates are included so that you, the consumer, can make your own decision - and base your choice on the power of information. The report stating that Creatine Ethyl Ester is a fake was commissioned by an industry company with an interest in discrediting Creatine Ethyl Ester. The two certificates of analysis cited showed that CEE is genuine and was performed on the source product and by people with no financial interest in promoting creatine ethyl ester. Esterification of creatine is chemically possible and not difficult to understand. Those who claim that CEE is counterfeit are denying the unmistakable science and deceiving the consumer.

First Certificate of Analysis (COA) Second Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Dosage and side effects

This is an excellent alternative for bodybuilders who get stomach problems from creatine monohydrate, don't want to consume heaps of simple carbohydrates and are prone to creatine-induced bloating. Take 2-3 grams per day divided into several single doses. A phase of concentrated intake in the first few days is not necessary. No side effects have been reported in the scientific literature.

References

  1. Racette SB. Creatine supplementation and athletic performance. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2003 Oct;33(10):615-21.
  2. Kreider, R.B., 1999. Dietary supplements and the promotion of muscle growth with resistance exercise. Sports Medicine 27:97-110.
  3. Becque, M.D., et al. 2000. effects of oral creatine supplementation on muscular strength and body composition. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 32: 654-658.
  4. Ingwal JS, Weiner CD, Morales MF, Davis E, Stockdale FE: Specificity of creatine in the control of muscle protein synthesis. J Cell Biol 63:145-151, 1974.
  5. Rawson ES, Volek JS. Effects of creatine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and weightlifting performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2003 Nov;17(4):822-31.
  6. Kambis KW, Pizzedaz SK. Short-term creatine supplementation improves maximum quadriceps contraction in women. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2003 Mar;13(1):87-96.
  7. Gill ND, Hall RD, Blazevich AJ. Creatine serum is not as effective as creatine powder for improving cycle sprint performance in competitive male team-sport athletes. J Strength Cond Res. 2004 May;18(2):272-5.
  8. Rawson, E.S., et al. 1999. Effects of 30 days of creatine ingestion in older men. European Journal of Applied Physiology 80: 139-144.
  9. Sosin D.M., Sniezek J.E., Thurman D.J.. Incidence of mild and moderate brain injury in the United States, 1991. Brain Inj 1996 Jan;10(1):47-54.