Hi guys, Through PT, I'm trying to build some deep core muscles to resolve a terrible low back pain condition. I've added whey protein, and of course I'm eating plenty of animal proteins. I want to add creatine based on some videos the YT algorithm has been feeding me.

I want to avoid risky/toxic shit from China. I figured you guys would have a recommendation for some of the best products to go with.

Thanks in advance!

Most creatine is sourced from China. But an easy way to avoid Chinese creatine is to go with a brand that uses Creapure creatine.

Creapure is a creatine monohydrate product of a German chemical manufacturer (Alzchem), who wholesale their creatine to a bunch of other companies for packaging and consumer sales. The creatine is produced in Bavaria.

I'm currently using Nutricost brand Creapure (they do also have a non-Creapure Chinese creatine product that's a bit cheaper), but I'm not married to the brand. I compare prices every time I re-up and go with whichever brand of Creapure is cheapest at the time.

It's usually around $2/ounce, compared to around $1.50/ounce for Chinese creatine, so the cost difference isn't that significant when going with the German sourced stuff.

Good thread, didn't know there was such an issue with sourcing this stuff.

If China and Germany are the only choices, seems like RFK has another opportunity for glory here.

I use the unflavored product from Naked Nutrition. I buy on Amazon. I trust Naked as a company, they prioritize clean products from U.S. sources. It is either $1.25/oz or $1.02/oz, depending on the size container.

Naked Creatine on Amazon

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
I use the unflavored product from Naked Nutrition. I buy on Amazon. I trust Naked as a company, they prioritize clean products from U.S. sources. It is either $1.25/oz or $1.02/oz, depending on the size container.

Naked Creatine on Amazon

That's from China.

They claim "Made in USA", but when asked, Naked themselves admit that their creatine is actually "manufactured in Asia and packaged in the USA".

And we all know that by "Asia" they mean "China".

It's my understanding that the only source of non-Chinese creatine is Alzchem's Creapure from Germany. Anyone not using that is using Chinese creatine.

Well... crap this thread made me check mine.. Optimum Nutrition looks to be made in China too..

I use Jocko Willink’s stuff. https://jockofuel.com/products...riant=49526818636071

Can get it on Amazon as well. Couldn’t find anything on where it’s sourced, but I figure at least the seller is reputable so there’s that.

quote:

Originally posted by Puckpilot78:
I use Jocko Willink’s stuff. https://jockofuel.com/products...riant=49526818636071

Can get it on Amazon as well. Couldn’t find anything on where it’s sourced, but I figure at least the seller is reputable so there’s that.

According to the comments, it's Made in Germany, but your mileage may vary with the comments section. Since it's the first comment on the link you provided, I don't think it would stay there is it was false.

I take Thorne creatine. It is probably sourced overseas but is tested thoroughly.

From Amazon: “NSF Certified for Sport: Tested for compliance with label claims and to ensure the absence of nearly 300 substances banned by many major athletic organizations.”

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
That's from China.

They claim "Made in USA", but when asked, Naked themselves admit that their creatine is actually "manufactured in Asia and packaged in the USA".

And we all know that by "Asia" they mean "China".

It's my understanding that the only source of non-Chinese creatine is Alzchem's Creapure from Germany. Anyone not using that is using Chinese creatine.

Well, that is very disappointing, but good to know!

quote:

Originally posted by sig 226:
Well... crap this thread made me check mine.. Optimum Nutrition looks to be made in China too..

Yeah, ON is the powder creatine I’ve been using, adding it to a protein shake. I also have creatine gummies by Bageto, they’re sure good when I don’t want to mess with the powder; I suppose they’re made in the PRC too. Dammit

Make sure you get micronized powder as it mixes vastly better than larger sized powder. If you have a Costco account or know someone that does, they have a 1.5 lb tub for a decent price. It appears to be sourced from the US and Germany.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I'm currently using Nutricost brand Creapure

Ordered! Thanks man. Seems like you've done your homework. What else are you using? Any specific whey protein, or any other supplements?

Big fan of the Nutrabio family of performance products. I use their creatine, BCAAs, protein powders, and pre-workout. For me, they all mix well with water, have great taste, and (in my simple mind) provide results.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
Ordered! Thanks man. Seems like you've done your homework. What else are you using? Any specific whey protein, or any other supplements?

I'm not as big into fitness/weights as I used to be. So no fancy workout supplements or preworkout. Just vitamin D, CoQ10, and niacin, for non-gym purposes mainly.

I still use whey protein as a recipe additive to boost protein intake or in the occasional protein shake, but just use the cheap whey tubs from Sam's Club. I used to splurge on Optimum Nutrition Gold.

I continue to use creatine less for its workout benefits and more for its other energy and cognitive/neurological benefits.

PEScience brand supplements in our household.

quote:

Originally posted by sig 226:
Well... crap this thread made me check mine.. Optimum Nutrition looks to be made in China too..

That's what I started taking.

Since I learned something today about the stuff from Germany, I will look for that next time.

Recently purchased this:

https://a.co/d/5Z61R5l

Looking more I saw this from the same company. The first doesn't mention it's source per se. It might be marketing or just a different tier of product. Half the amount for almost 2x the price. Who knows.

https://a.co/d/hU6jasT

I loaded up on Costco stuff on sale but a friend got me hooked up first with Transparent Labs. It's way more expensive due to other stuff in it vs. pure creatine. https://www.transparentlabs.co...ling_plan=1706524765

I had my dad taking some after a mini-stroke (after checking with his doc) but he said it stopped him up. Not sure that's a normal outcome or not but something to be aware of