EFSA claim: creatine, attention and memory

On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that the food constituent, creatine, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterized. A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of creatine and increased attention. A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of creatine and improvement of memory.

Efficacy of novel forms of creatine

Supplement manufacturers have continually introduced newer forms of creatine into the marketplace. These newer forms have been purported to have better physical and chemical properties, bioavailability, efficacy, and/or safety profiles than creatine monohydrate. However, there is little to no evidence that any of the newer forms of creatine are more effective and/or safer than creatine monohydrate whether ingested alone and/or in combination with other nutrients.

Absorption of creatine: drink, meat or solid

Creatine ingested as a lozenge (crushed in the mouth and swallowed) or as a crystalline suspension in ice cold water resulted in a 20% lower peak concentration and 30-35% smaller area under the plasma creatine concentration curve than the same dose administered in solution.

Creatine synthesis, chemistry and legal status

Creatine crystallizes from water as monoclinic prisms holding one molecule of water of crystallisation per molecule of creatine. The crystals easily loose this water of crystallisation at around 100 C. The solubility of creatine in water increases with temperature and the correlation between solubility and temperature is almost linear.

EFSA opinion: creatine for use in FPNU

Provided high purity creatine monohydrate is used in foods for particular nutritional uses, the Panel considers that the consumption of doses of up to 3 g/day of supplemental creatine, similar to the daily turnover rate of creatine, is unlikely to pose any risk.

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