Impact of OptiCreatine on Plasma Creatine and Gastrointestinal Effects in Males and Females
Impact of OptiCreatine on Plasma Creatine and Gastrointestinal Effects in Males and Females
The study aims to evaluate the novel OptiCreatine formulation, which combines creatine with other bioactive compounds purported to enhance absorption and reduce gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort. Using a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, the study will compare the acute and chronic effects of OptiCreatine versus Creatine monohydrate in healthy, recreationally active adults. Participants will be asked to orally consume both the OptiCreatine and the creatine monohydrate. Primary outcomes include plasma creatine concentrations, gastrointestinal symptomatology, and fluid distribution measured through bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy.
The study aims to evaluate the novel OptiCreatine formulation, which combines creatine with other bioactive compounds purported to enhance absorption and reduce gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort. The study objectives are as follows:
General Design: All data collection will be completed by the Principal Investigator and Research Assistants at the University of North Carolina. Participants will be asked to report to the Applied Physiology Laboratory and Human Performance Center for enrollment and testing sessions. Thirty-two individuals total will be enrolled into the study. Sixteen participants will be enrolled into the acute phase; Sixteen will be enrolled into the chronic phase with random assignment to OptiCreatine (n=8) or creatine monohydrate (n=8). Participants from the acute phase are eligible to enroll into the chronic phase. The acute phase will require 2 in person visits, in random order, with participants randomly assigned in a cross-over fashion to OptiCreatine vs creatine monohydrate. Blood samples will be obtained at baseline and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, and 5 hrs. following ingestion of the assigned treatment. A minimum of 72 hrs. will take place in between acute visits. For the chronic phase, participants will complete baseline assessments for GI symptoms via questionnaires (bloating questionnaire, gastrointestinal symptom rating scale, digestion associated quality of life questionnaire) and fluid distribution from multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA). Following baseline testing, participants will be randomly assigned to an OptiCreatine or creatine monohydrate group. Post testing evaluation will occur within 48 hours of the 5-day loading phase.
Supplementation Phase:
Participants will be asked to arrive at the laboratory for all visits after a minimum 8-hour fast from caloric foods and beverages, 48-hour abstention from vigorous exercise, and 24-hour abstention from caffeine consumption. Participants will be asked to maintain normal dietary intake along with no more than 200mg of caffeine per day for the duration of the study. Measurements of anthropometrics, GI symptoms, and fluid distribution will be obtained. For the acute phase, blood samples will be taken from the antecubital region.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: