The Effects of Creatine Ethyl Ester Supplementation Combined with Resistance Training
on Body Composition, Muscle Mass and Performance, and Intramuscular Creatine
Uptake in Males
Mike Spillane, M.S.Ed.
Creatine monohydrate has become one of the most popular ingested nutritional
supplements due to its potential enhancement of athletic performance. Creatine
absorption from the serum into skeletal muscle occurs through the utilization of a
membrane-spanning protein, CreaT1. Numerous creatine formulations have been
developed primarily to maximize creatine absorption. Creatine ethyl ester (CEE) has been
chemically modified by adding an ester group and is thought to increase creatine bioavailability
by by-passing the CreaT1. This study examined how a seven week
supplementation regimen with CEE affected body composition, muscle mass and
performance, whole body creatine retention, as well physiological and molecular
adaptations, associated with creatine uptake in nonresistance-trained males following a
resistance-training program. Results demonstrated that CEE did not show any additional
benefit to increases in muscle strength/performance or a significant increase in total
muscle creatine when compared to creatine monohydrate or placebo. CEE
supplementation did show a large increase in creatinine levels throughout the study.
