The Hidden Dangers of Impure Creatine: Ensuring Purity and Safety in the Fitness Industry
Creatine, a widely popular natural supplement in the fitness and health industry, has gained attention for its potential benefits in enhancing physical performance and reducing physical and mental fatigue. However, due to pandemic shortages and increased demand, Creatine purity has been overlooked despite the harmful side-effects from poorly processed material.
Creatine and other supplements gained massive popularity during the 2020 pandemic as gyms were closed and health became the largest priority. This increase in popularity led to high demand that left manufacturers scrambling to fill orders and caused some brands to seek alternative means.
As the price of Creatine rose, cheaper, poor quality alternatives appeared on the shelves. With less time, high demand, and shortages across the world, the purification process was shortened and not prioritized in order to offer consumers cheaper prices with hidden side-effects. Cheaper purification processes introduced toxic chemicals into the Creatine market, in the form of a chemical known as Dicyandiamide.
Few consumers are familiar with this chemical, but many would recognize one of its main functional groups, the cyanide ion.
What is Dicyandiamide and Why is it Dangerous?
Dicyandiamide is a reactive chemical left over from Creatine production. This precursor can be removed from Creatine through several different organic, but expensive, processes. To remove Dicyandiamide, manufacturers can choose between sublimation, crystallization, distillation, differential extraction, or chromatography. However, these purification processes add additional cost to the raw materials, making them less desirable among competing material suppliers.
Although Dicyandiamide may not look dangerous upon first glance, it is easily broken down by the body. When introduced into an acidic environment, such as stomach acid, Diacyandiamide is broken down into the toxic hydrogen Cyanide.
While this small amount of Cyanide produced from impure Creatine is not lethal and no obvious effects immediately occur, studies show that taking small amounts over time can lead to a buildup of symptoms, including high or low blood pressure, nausea, chest pain, frequent headaches, eye pain, difficulty breathing, restlessness, and in extreme cases, vomiting or confusion.
Symptoms greatly depend on the frequency of dosage as well as amount per dose. While any amount of Dicyandiamide is harmful, taking more than the recommended serving of impure Creatine may cause more severe side-effects over time. Due to the human body’s natural processing of Cyanide, the immune system cannot build up a tolerance to it, making it equally dangerous to each person ingesting it.
How can I tell if my Creatine is Pure?
Unfortunately, as a consumer, the only 100% fool-proof way to ensure your Creatine does not contain Dicyandiamide is through lab testing.
Before buying Creatine, carefully research the brand you are considering. Small companies and highly reputable companies will include as much consumer information for their customers as possible. To confirm Creatine quality and ingredients without insider bias or interference.
Purity is also reflected in the overall price. Due to the added cost of purifying Creatine, an ethical company will not be able to sell it at a low price. A low price is often an indication of improper purification.
At EC Sports, we ensure that our Creatine is only PURE 100% Creatine with no by-products, no fillers, and NO toxic chemicals. Our Creatine is sourced from trusted suppliers who have been making high-quality Creatine for over 20 years. Our creatine raw material is 3rd party tested to guarantee that our Creatine is 100% pure and safe. We always look at quality before price so our customers only get the best quality ingredients.
EC Sports is proud to deliver safe, high-quality ingredients to our customers. Our 100% Pure Creatine Monohydrate mixes easily, has no chalky after-taste, and most importantly, contains no harmful chemicals.