Creatine is an incredibly popular supplement. Just how popular? In 2024, the global creatine supplements market was valued at $1 billion, and it’s projected to grow to $2.8 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9%.1Creatine Supplements Market Size & Trends. Grand View Research. Retrieved January 14, 2025 from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/creatine-supplements-market-report.
The reason for creatine’s popularity is simple: it’s an effective supplement that delivers results. Research consistently shows that it supports energy production, builds lean muscle, and enhances athletic performance. However, there’s often confusion about its sources and the manufacturing process behind this nutraceutical.
This article aims to answer the question, “How is creatine powder made?”, by demystifying the journey of creatine from raw materials to finished supplements.
Understanding Creatine Sources
Creatine is a tripeptide composed of three amino acids: L-arginine, glycine, and L-methionine. The body naturally makes about 1 g of creatine daily.2Creatine. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved January 17, 2025 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-creatine/art-20347591#:~:text=Creatine%20is%20found%20mostly%20in,gram%20of%20creatine%20per%20day. This falls short of the 5-8 g daily intake of creatine shown in research to provide meaning benefits.3Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. JISSN. 2017;14:18. Similarly, while creatine can be found in various food sources, these options aren’t practical for obtaining enough. Here are some foods that provide the highest levels of creatine4Rasmussen CJ. Nutritional supplements for endurance athletes. In Greenwood M, Kalman DS, Antonio J. Nutritional Supplements in Sports and Exercise. Springer Verlag; 2008: 369-407.:
| Creatine Food Source | g/lb |
| Herring | 3.0 |
| Pork | 2.3 |
| Beef | 2.0 |
| Salmon | 2.0 |
| Cod | 1.4 |
So, if you want to obtain 5-8 g of creatine daily, that means you’d have to eat 1.67-2.67 lb. of herring, 2.17-3.48 lb. of pork, 2.5-4 lb. of beef or salmon, or 3.57-5.71 lb. of cod every day! Unless you want to consume an additional 150,000+ calories in your diet daily, using food as a primary source of creatine won’t work.
Using a creatine supplement is the most practical way to achieve an effective dose of this performance-enhancing nutraceutical.
The Process of Manufacturing Creatine Supplements
As mentioned earlier, foods are neither a practical source for obtaining sufficient creatine nor a commercially viable option for creatine extraction. Instead, creatine used in supplements is synthesized by processing specific raw materials. If you’ve ever wondered, “What is creatine made of?”, the following information will provide the answer.
Raw Material Selection
So, what are the ingredients in creatine? The answer is that the two raw materials used to synthesize creatine are sodium sarcosinate and cyanamide.
Sodium sarcosinate is an amino acid intermediate involved in the metabolism of choline.5Sodium sarcosinate. PubChem. National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology of Information. Retrieved January 17, 2025 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sodium-sarcosinate. It also serves as a precursor for creatine synthesis.
Cyanamide is an organic compound widely used in agriculture and the production of pharmaceuticals and other organic compounds.6Cyanamide. PubChem. National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology of Information. Retrieved January 17, 2025 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/9864. It also serves as a key reactant in the chemical reaction for creatine synthesis.
It’s important to note that while their names sound similar, cyanamide and cyanide are entirely different compounds. Cyanamide is safe for use as described, whereas cyanide is highly toxic and is commonly used in pesticides, plastics, and mining.7House JE. Chapter 13 – Chemistry of nonmetallic elements I. Hydrogen, boron, oxygen, and carbon. In House JE. Academic Press; 2020: 465-516.
The Manufacturing Process
If you’re curious about how creatine supplements are made, the manufacturing process begins by combining sodium sarcosinate and cyanamide in a reactor, along with other compounds. This mixture is heated and pressurized to create a liquid. The liquid is then cooled, forming crystalline creatine, which remains in liquid form at this stage.
Next, the liquid undergoes centrifugation to remove impurities and unwanted particles. The purified crystals are then vacuum-dried and milled into a fine powder. Milling is essential for improving dissolvability; for instance, creatine monohydrate is often milled to around 200 mesh, resulting in an ultra-fine powder that dissolves easily and mixes well in liquids to make a creatine drink.
Since creatine doesn’t require blending with other materials, the fine powder can be directly deposited into bulk containers. However, before packaging, the product undergoes thorough testing to ensure quality and safety.
Quality Control and Testing
The type of testing for creatine includes identity and potency, microbiological compliance, and heavy metal compliance.
- Identity and Potency: The most common method for testing the identity and potency of creatine is High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). This measures the concentration of creatine in a sample, while also checking for potential contaminants like creatinine and dicyandiamide, often by analyzing the peak areas on the chromatogram at a specific wavelength; this method is considered the gold standard for accurately quantifying creatine content in supplements.8Feizi A, Hamidi S, Bakalam N, Nemati M. Control of the quality of creatine sports supplements using a validated LC method with UV detection. Talanta Open. 2022; 6: 100157.
- Microbiological Testing: After identity and potency testing, creatine must be tested next for microbiological compliance to verify that it does not contain dangerous levels of microorganisms such as E. coli. Special equipment in a separate microbiological laboratory will be required for this purpose.
- Heavy Metal Testing: Finally, heavy metal testing for lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic must also be conducted. Most contract manufacturers will test for compliance with strict USP/FDA standards, but further testing may be needed if you are selling your product in California, where different and more stringent Prop 65 heavy metal limits apply.
In summary, creatine production is finalized once the manufacturing and testing processes are complete.
Manufacture Your Creatine Supplement with Vitaquest
Vitaquest is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that has provided supplement brands with exceptional supplement research and development, manufacturing, packaging design, powder, and particle engineering services using fluid bed, oscillation, and roller compaction technologies, and fulfillment solutions for over 45 years.
Whether you’re a newcomer to the industry or aiming to diversify your product range, Vitaquest possesses the expertise, cutting-edge facilities, and solutions needed to swiftly and effectively manufacture creatine supplements for your company. Vitaquest offers a variety of dosage forms, including capsules, tablets, chewable tablets, oral disintegrating tablets (OTD), effervescents, and powders. Furthermore, you’ll receive an exceptional level of customer support.
Vitaquest has deep expertise in both domestic and international regulatory standards, as well as sustainability practices. By sourcing sustainable ingredients and utilizing eco-friendly manufacturing processes, we help brands enhance their market appeal.
Our commitment to quality is backed by FDA cGMP compliance and third-party GMP certifications from NSF, USP, and others, assuring both brand owners and consumers that we meet the highest industry standards. Additionally, our ability to manufacture Kosher, Halal, and certified organic products, along with our FSSC 22000 certification for food safety, further underscores our dedication to manufacturing excellence.
Conclusion
This article explained the popularity of creatine, its natural food sources, and the manufacturing process, including the selection of raw materials and the rigorous quality control and testing involved. In short, it demystified how creatine is made, detailing its journey from raw materials to the finished supplement.
Are you ready to capitalize on the creatine trends covered in this article? If so, call 800-526-9095 to speak with one of our knowledgeable sales executives or request a nutraceutical manufacturing price quote if you’ve already finalized your project requirements!
Frequently Asked Questions About Creatine Supplements
Q: What are creatine pills made of?
Creatine is a tripeptide composed of three amino acids: L-arginine, glycine, and L-methionine. A creatine pill may also contain excipients such as binders and lubricants to facilitate the manufacturing process.
Q: How does the body make its own creatine?
The body produces creatine in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, storing it primarily in muscle tissue. This process involves specific enzymes that act on amino acids to synthesize creatine. On average, the body naturally produces approximately 1 gram of creatine daily.
Q: Are creatine pills natural?
Creatine is created via a synthetic process that involves two key compounds: sodium sarcosinate, an amino acid intermediate in the metabolism of choline, and cyanamide, an organic compound commonly used in agriculture.
Q: Is creatine monohydrate made from animal products?
No. Creatine is manufactured by utilizing vegan-friendly sodium sarcosinate, an amino acid intermediate in the metabolism of choline, and cyanamide, an organic compound widely used in agriculture.
Q: How much creatine is safe for the kidneys?
Based on scientific research, creatine is considered safe for the liver and kidneys when used in healthy individuals and taken as recommended.
Q: How do you make creatine in a lab?
Sodium sarcosinate and cyanamide are put into a reactor and heated/pressurized to form a liquid. Then it is cooled to form crystalline creatine and put through a centrifuge to remove any impurities. The crystals will be vacuum-dried and then milled into a fine powder. After testing, the creatine is then ready for use.
Q: Does creatine come from plants?
No, but it is vegan-friendly. It is manufactured by utilizing sodium sarcosinate, an amino acid intermediate in the metabolism of choline, and cyanamide, an organic compound widely used in agriculture.
Q: Is creatine safe for the heart?
Creatine plays a crucial role in heart contraction and energy metabolism. Supplementing with creatine increases its content in the heart, even in healthy individuals. Overall, creatine supplementation is generally considered safe for the heart.
Q: Do creatine supplements have side effects?
A high intake of creatine during a 5-day loading phase may result in temporary hydration of muscle cells, giving them a “pumped” appearance. However, this appearance generally declines after the loading phase.
