Kinetics of creatine ingested as a food ingredient
Open accessAbstract
The aim of the present study was to test if the consumption of creatine incorporated in food bars modifies creatine plasma kinetics, erythrocyte retention and loss in urine and in feces when compared with its consumption in the form of an aqueous solution (AS). Seventeen healthy young men ingested 2 g creatine either in the form of AS, or incorporated in a protein (PP)- or in a beta-glucan (BG)-rich food bar. Kinetics of plasma creatine was measured for 8-h duration and urinary excretion for 24 h. Then, the subjects received the same treatment thrice a day for 1 week at the end of which creatine contents were determined in erythrocytes and in feces (n = 4 for feces). The three crossover treatments were interspaced by a 40 +/- 1.2-day wash-out. Absorption of creatine was slowed down by 8-fold in the presence of BG (P < 0.001) and by 4-fold with PP (P < 0.001) whereas the velocity rate constant of elimination and the area under the curve were not modified. Urinary loss of creatine in the first 24 h following ingestion was 15 +/- 1.9% in AS and 14 +/- 2.2% in PP conditions (NS), whereas it was only 8 +/- 1.2% with BG (P = 0.004). Increase in creatine concentration in erythrocyte was similar in whatever form the creatine was ingested. Creatine seems to be totally absorbed since no creatine or creatinine was detectable in feces. No side effects were reported. In conclusion, ingestion of creatine combined with BG facilitates its retention by slowing down its absorption rate and reducing its urinary excretion.
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Approximately 99% of orally ingested creatine monohydrate is either taken up by tissue or excreted in the urine as creatine through normal digestion.
“it is well established that ~99% of orally ingested creatine monohydrate is either taken up by tissue or excreted in the urine as creatine through normal digestion [60, 185, 186].”
From Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? (2021) · cites this paper as [185]
The Discussion (page unavailable) says gastrointestinal absorption was complete under the studied supplementation protocol and that creatine appearing in blood is either excreted in urine or taken up by tissues. It does not establish that approximately 99% of all orally ingested creatine monohydrate follows those fates: its 1% conversion estimate applies only to the first hour in the stomach, and it says further intestinal conversion is likely. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredLess than 1% of creatine monohydrate is degraded to creatinine during the digestive process, and creatine is taken up by tissue or excreted in urine after ingestion.
“less than 1% of creatine monohydrate is degraded to creatinine during the digestive process and creatine is taken up by tissue or excreted in urine after ingestion [60, 185–187].”
From Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? (2021) · cites this paper as [185]
The Discussion says that about 1% of a 2 g dose would convert to creatinine in the first hour in the stomach, but that a larger proportion is likely to degrade in the intestine. It describes gastrointestinal conversion as negligible, not as less than 1% over the entire digestive process. The Discussion also states that creatine appearing in blood is either excreted in urine or taken up by tissues. Page numbers were not provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredSince stomach acid is generally less than 2.5, less than 1% of CrM is degraded to creatinine during digestion and 99% of creatine is taken up by tissue or excreted in urine after ingestion.
“Since stomach acid is generally less than 2.5, less than 1% of CrM is degraded to creatinine during digestion and 99% of creatine is taken up by tissue or excreted in urine after ingestion [12,25,58,59].”
From Bioavailability, Efficacy, Safety, and Regulatory Status of Creatine and Related Compounds: A Critical Review (2022) · cites this paper as [59]
The Discussion estimates that at stomach pH near 2, about 1% of a 2 g dose converts to creatinine within the first hour, and describes gastrointestinal conversion overall as negligible. It also says creatine appearing in blood is taken up by tissues or eliminated in urine. But it does not establish less than 1% conversion throughout digestion: it says a larger proportion may degrade during the longer intestinal transit. Page numbers were not provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe conversion of creatine to creatinine in the gastrointestinal tract is minimal regardless of transit time; absorption into the blood is nearly 100%.
“Therefore, the conversion of creatine to creatinine in the gastrointestinal tract is minimal regardless of transit time; absorption into the blood is nearly 100%”
From International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine (2017) · cites this paper as [56]
Dietary creatine is presumed to have high bioavailability since intestinal absorption of CM is already close to 100%.
“Dietary creatine is presumed to have high bioavailability since intestinal absorption of CM is already close to 100% (Deldicque et al. 2008).”
From Analysis of the efficacy, safety, and regulatory status of novel forms of creatine (2011) · cites this paper as Deldicque et al. 2008
The conversion of creatine to creatinine in the gastrointestinal tract is minimal regardless of transit time.
“The conversion of creatine to creatinine in the gastrointestinal tract is minimal regardless of transit time (Persky et al. 2003; Harris et al. 1992b; Deldicque et al. 2008).”
From Analysis of the efficacy, safety, and regulatory status of novel forms of creatine (2011) · cites this paper as Deldicque et al. 2008
Creatine monohydrate (CrM) is not degraded into creatinine during normal digestion, is nearly 100% bioavailable, and markedly increases blood and tissue creatine content.
“Research has clearly shown that CrM is not degraded into creatinine during normal digestion, it is nearly 100% bioavailable [12,25,58,59], and markedly increases blood and tissue creatine content.”
From Bioavailability, Efficacy, Safety, and Regulatory Status of Creatine and Related Compounds: A Critical Review (2022) · cites this paper as [59]
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References 47 · Cited by 52
- Authors
- Deldicque, L., Décombaz, J., Zbinden Foncea, H., Vuichoud, J., Poortmans, J. R., & Francaux, M.
- Affiliations
- UCLouvain (BE)
- Nestlé (Switzerland) (CH)
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (BE)
- Corresponding author
- Francaux, Marc
- Venue
- European Journal of Applied Physiology
- Published
- 2007-09-13
- Volume
- 102
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 133-143
- ISSN
- 0020-9376 (ISSN-L)
- 1439-6319
- 1439-6327
- OpenAlex
- W2033072433
- Cited by
- 52
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 4 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 0.69
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- lirias.kuleuven.be
- Licence
- other-oa
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- European Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Lirias (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Digital Access to Libraries (Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), l'Université de Namur (UNamur) and the Université Saint-Louis (USL-B)) (submittedVersion)
- Dépôt institutionnel de l'Université libre de Bruxelles (Université Libre de Bruxelles) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Biochemical effects in animals
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Nutrition and Physiology
- Keywords
- creatine, β-glucan, creatine supplementation
- MeSH terms
- Creatine, Eating, Erythrocyte Count, Erythrocytes, Food Additives, Humans, Kinetics, Male, Metabolic Clearance Rate, Dietary Supplements, Young Adult
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