CRM vs CR-HCL Comparison

A randomized, double-blind, crossover pilot study (ECC-BRAIN) has been initiated in our lab to directly compare creatine monohydrate (CRM) and creatine hydrochloride (CR-HCl) under equimolar dosing conditions. Over the coming months, healthy participants will complete two 8-week intervention periods, with primary outcomes centered on brain creatine concentrations assessed with 3-T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, alongside circulating biomarkers and body composition measures.

While creatine monohydrate is the established reference standard, creatine hydrochloride has been proposed to exhibit greater solubility and potentially improved bioavailability. This study aims to generate the first direct human evidence on whether such physicochemical advantages translate into enhanced tissue creatine accumulation, particularly in the brain, with implications for targeted and precision-based supplementation strategies.