Animal Supercharged Creatine with PurpleForce (Formerly Creatine XL)

Published on August 31, 2022 by Mike Roberto and Nick Andrews | No Comments

Note: This product has been renamed from “Animal Creatine XL” to Animal Supercharged Creatine.

Universal Nutrition, the owner of the Animal supplement brand, has been all the way around the block of the bodybuilding scene. Since the creation of Animal Pak, they’ve been a major force in sports supplements for decades and were there turning out awesome products throughout the fabled golden age of bodybuilding. Universal mastered the basics long before most of today’s players were even in the game – we’re talking mainstay supplements like creatine monohydrate, arginine, and liver tablets.

Animal Creatine XL

Animal Creatine XL is creatine re-invented — supercharged with both Senactiv and PurpleForce

So it’s fitting, in a way, that Universal is the company to reinvent creatine.

Animal Supercharged Creatine (Formerly “XL”): Creatine Re-Invented

That’s what’s going on in Animal Supercharged Creatine – the basic idea behind creatine, which is to support athletic performance through ergogenic effects, is being taken to a kind of “logical conclusion” with ingredients that complement and enhance the original effect.

Each scoop comes with the classic 5 gram dose of creatine monohydrate along with 2.5 grams of betaine, but with two supporting ingredients, NuLiv Science’s Senactiv and a purple tea extract known as PurpleForce. As we’ll learn, this is no ordinary creatine supplement!

Creatine XL originally came out alongside the amazing Animal Creatine Chews, but sometimes you want even more material, or don’t want added sugar, and that requires a powdered formula to mix into water. It’s now known as Supercharged Creatine

Let’s check prices and availability, post up our video explaining the benefits, and then get into the deep-dive below:

Universal – Deals and Price Drop Alerts

Get Price Alerts

No spam, no scams.

Disclosure: PricePlow relies on pricing from stores with which we have a business relationship. We work hard to keep pricing current, but you may find a better offer.

Posts are sponsored in part by the retailers and/or brands listed on this page.

Subscribe to PricePlow on YouTube!

Animal Supercharged Creatine Ingredients

We’ve included a Table of Contents in case you already know plenty about creatine (which comes first) and want to skip down to the novel parts of the label.

In a single 1-heaping-scoop (9.3 g) serving of Animal Supercharged Creatine Powder, you get the following:

  • Creatine Monohydrate – 5,000 mg

    Given the ubiquity of creatine in supplements today, it may surprise some readers to learn that creatine wasn’t always so well received. In fact, when it was first released commercially, it was met with a lot of controversy about potential effects on kidney function.

    Fortunately, tons of research has been done since then. In the year 2022, we can say with extreme confidence that creatine is both effective and safe for the overwhelming significant majority (but note: not all) of adolescents and adults.[1-3]

    Although people with healthy kidneys will almost certainly not have any issues with creatine consumption,[4,5] people who have a pre-existing kidney condition should definitely check with their doctor before using creatine.

    Why take creatine?

    Like we said, there’s been tons of research on creatine, and the findings have been overwhelmingly positive. Here are just a few of the documented benefits one can expect to see from creatine use:

    Animal Supercharged Creatine XL Ingredients

    Boosted by both NuLiv Science’s Senactiv as well as PurpleForce, alongside crucial methyl donator betaine, this is no ordinary creatine monohydrate powder!

    • Better muscular power[6,7]
    • Faster weight gain[7]
    • Faster lean mass gain[7-11]
    • Faster sprints[12-14]
    • Increased cellular hydration[15]
    • More energy[16-19]
    • Better sense of overall well-being[19-21]
    • Better cognitive performance[22,23]
    • Slightly higher testosterone levels[24-28]
    • Denser bones[10]

    The last four bullet points are especially relevant to anyone who doesn’t eat a lot of meat, because meat is the best dietary source of creatine by a long shot.

    So if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you should definitely consider the possibility that you’re not eating enough creatine, a situation that is easily rectified by supplementation.

    How does creatine work?

    The long list of benefits (above) associated with creatine use is not even exhaustive. Looking at it, you might even be amazed that a single ingredient can have such far-reaching and diverse effects on human health.

    Animal Supercharged Creatine XL Benefits

    It all makes sense once you learn how creatine actually works. It affects one of the most fundamental, and arguably the most important, metabolic process in the body:

    Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production.

    ATP is the energy currency of your body: if your body were an engine, ATP would be the gasoline. No ATP, and your engine doesn’t go.

    Now, before you get ATP, you have to have ADP (adenosine di-phosphate). As you can probably guess, the difference between these two molecules is a phosphate group: ATP has three and ADP has two.

    In our gas/engine analogy, think of ADP as crude oil. Your body “refines” it into ATP.

    In order to make ATP from ADP, your body needs to get that extra phosphate from somewhere, and that’s where creatine comes in. Creatine acts as a phosphate donor, delivering phosphate groups to your cells’ mitochondria so that they can fuse them to ADP, thus creating ATP.[29-32]

    Every type of cell benefits from increased ATP production

    Creatine is usually taken for its athletic and physical benefits, but neurons need ATP as well – and lots of it. Of all the organs in the human body, your brain consumes the most energy by far.

    So when your neurons get extra energy, they perform better as well, just like your muscle cells.

    That’s why you get effects like improved cognitive performance from creatine supplementation – although, again, this is something that we see mostly in vegans and vegetarians.

    ATP insufficiency is bad

    If extra ATP is good, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that an ATP deficiency is bad. In mild cases, it means that you’ll feel tired and perform below your best.

    Creatine Mitochondria ADP ATP

    A study published in 2011 does a fantastic job showing creatine’s role in the production of ATP in the mitochondria.[33]

    But in the worst case, ATP deficiency can create serious disease.[34]

    Why do we need creatine?

    Many readers have probably wondered by now, given the importance of creatine, whether the human body can make its own. The answer is yes, your body can make its own creatine.

    So why do we need to supplement it?

    The answer is basically that creating creatine is a metabolically expensive process. Every ounce of energy your body puts into making creatine is an ounce that it can’t put into something else. So supplementing with creatine can help reduce your body’s energy overhead — freeing up energy for things like exercise and thinking.[35]

    Animal Beef Biltong Close-Up

    Meet Animal Beef Biltong – an extra source of protein and a bit of creatine!

    You are also, as we will see in later sections of this article, probably not getting much creatine from your food (statistically speaking).

    This is why you see positive effects of creatine supplementation in so many different aspects of human health: The human body is ultimately a bioelectronic machine that runs on energy, just like everything else in this world.

    Creatine monohydrate: The GOAT

    Although several forms of creatine are sold as nutritional supplements, creatine monohydrate, which consists of a creatine molecule bound to a single water molecule,[36] has been studied the most.[2]

    So if you want the most clinically-tested form, monohydrate is the way to go.

    How much do we need?

    Let’s start with some dietary facts.

    The average man loses about 1.6% to 1.7% of his total creatine stores every day.[37,38] Women lose a little less than this, but not much less.[39]

    So in absolute terms, that means the average man and woman is losing somewhere in the ballpark of 2 grams of creatine per day.[39]

    Right away, we can take that as a baseline for nutritional requirements: if you don’t want to end up totally creatine depleted, you need to eat at least 2 grams per day.

    Universal Nutrition Animal Creatine Chews

    Alternatively, Universal Nutrition’s Animal Creatine Chews bring a fun and simple way to get creatine in – and they’ve got us hooked!

    Furthermore, the exact amount of creatine you lose daily is determined, in part, on how large and active you are. If you’re a big bodybuilder who hits the weights and cardio daily, then your creatine requirements are closer to 3 grams per day, since intense exercise can increase creatine loss by up to 50%.[40]

    But even that is still just to maintain the bare minimum level of creatine intake. We have a loftier goal than that. We don’t just want the bare minimum level of creatine.

    We want creatine saturation.

    That’s why the go-to creatine dose these days is 5 grams per day, which is what’s used in Animal Supercharged Creatine XL Powder.

    Just like creatine monohydrate is the most widely studied form of creatine, 5 grams per day is the most widely studied dose. So again, you can rest assured that if you’re taking 5 grams a day, you aren’t leaving creatine benefits on the table.

    How to take creatine

    Common practice for taking creatine is to start with a loading phase in which you take 20 grams per day for 5 to 7 days.

    Although this may sound like bro science, research has largely borne it out as a valid practice.[34] It can definitely help you reach creatine saturation faster.

    However, if that’s too complicated, you can definitely just take 5 grams per day. You’ll eventually reach creatine saturation, but it will take longer to get there without the loading phase.

    Creatine-containing foods

    Beef is the best commonly eaten creatine source – it comes in between 2 and 2.5 grams of creatine per pound of meat.[41,42]

    Creatine Meta-Analysis Lean Tissue Mass

    A 2021 meta-analysis on older individuals showed greatly improved lean tissue mass.[43]

    Chicken has a little less: 1.5 grams per pound.[44]

    Believe it or not, herring has the most creatine per serving of any food in existence, clocking in at a massive 3 to 4.5 grams of creatine per pound.[45] But obviously, most Americans aren’t eating herring on a daily basis.

    Mind you, it takes a lot of beef to reach a 5-gram-per-day dose of creatine. For that, you’d need to eat 2 pounds of beef, 3 pounds of chicken, or 1.5 pounds of herring (and again, who does that) every day.

    Let’s be honest, most of us are not putting up numbers like those.

    So it shouldn’t be too surprising that on average, Americans aren’t even coming close to the optimal level of dietary creatine consumption.

    The average American man gets about 1 gram of creatine from his food every day. For women, the number drops to 0.70 grams.[46]

    Brass tacks: If your diet is anything resembling the Standard American Diet (SAD), you need to either change your diet or take a creatine supplement.

  • Betaine Anhydrous – 2,500 mg

    Betaine, also known as trimethylglycine (TMG), is similar to creatine in that it helps upregulate ATP production.[47] However, the mechanism of action is slightly different…

    Betaine Muscle

    A landmark 2013 study showed that 2.5 grams of betaine every day can have profound effects on body mass and strength[48]

    Instead of donating phosphate groups, betaine donates methyl groups.

    Because of betaine’s effect on global methylation, it can also have some positive effects on cardiovascular health by helping to lower homocysteine blood levels.[49] Since homocysteine has been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), we want to make sure it doesn’t get out of control.

    Another important property of betaine is its status as an osmolyte, which basically means any substance that increases cellular hydration by drawing water into your cells. This hyper-hydration effect makes your cells stronger and more resilient in the face of heat-induced metabolic stress.[48,50,51]

    Increased cellular resistance to stress is one of the reasons that betaine is an ergogenic aid, helping improve your athletic performance.

    Betaine’s benefits are attested to in many research studies,[52-57] but perhaps the most important was a study conducted in 2013 that showed that subjects who supplemented with 2.5 grams of betaine per day – the same dose used in Animal Supercharged Creatine Powder – were able to gain 5.3 pounds of muscle and lose 6.4 pounds of fat during the 6-week study period.[48,58]

    The same team of researchers conducted a followup study in 2018, testing the same dose in college-aged women who were enrolled in an 8-week-long resistance training program.[59] The group lost 3.3% of their body fat – 4.4 pounds – compared to the 2.8-pound loss experienced by the placebo group.[59]

    These two studies are great evidence that this specific dose of betaine is efficacious as an ergogenic aid, muscle builder, and fat burner. Importantly, it seems to work for both men and women.

    We’ve definitely seen creatine supplements with betaine inside. However, we’ve never seen this next ingredient alongside:

  • Purple Tea Extract (leaf) (as PurpleForce) – 100 mg

    The best supplement formulas have a coherent theme, with ingredients complementing each other to achieve one major effect through different mechanisms of action.

    Animal Supercharged Creatine is a great example of this design philosophy.

    So far, we have seen creatine and betaine, two potent ergogenic aids that each enhance performance by different means.

    Now we have a third ergogenic aid, and it’s one that’s lesser-known: PurpleForce, a purple tea extract.

    Purple tea is tea – as in, true tea, Camellia sinensis. It’s been cross-bred to contain high levels of anthocyanins, phenolic pigments with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

    Other examples of plants that contain high levels of anthocyanins would be berries, particularly blueberries, and beets, both of which are nutritional powerhouses.

    Purple Tea and Endurance

    PurpleForce Constituents

    PurpleForce has many constituents similar to other tea leaves, but it’s the GHG content we’re after[60]

    Ordinary green and black tea have been shown to increase nitric oxide (NO) production through endothelial antioxidant activity.[61] And since NO upregulation is associated with increased athletic performance,[62] we would expect to see the same from purple tea.

    After all, purple tea should (in theory) come with all the benefits of ordinary tea, and then some, because of the additional anthocyanin content.

    PurpleForce is a relatively new ingredient, so there aren’t a ton of studies on it yet, but the early research results seem to indicate that this is exactly what we get.

    For example, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that following exercise, subjects who took PurpleForce had lower levels of lactate dehydrogenase, the enzyme that breaks down lactic acid.[63]

    Lactic acid is a byproduct of cellular respiration that builds up while you exercise. The more intense the exercise, the faster your muscles produce lactic acid. Once your workout exceeds a certain threshold of intensity, you’re producing lactic acid (lactate) faster than you can clear it. At this point, the compound begins to accumulate.

    PurpleForce Muscle Damage Inflammation

    PurpleForce’s GHG can reduce muscle damage and inflammation,[60] getting you back into the gym faster

    As it accumulates, lactate causes increasing amounts of muscular fatigue. Eventually, it can build up to the point where your muscles essentially fail, and you are forced to end your effort.

    Your body makes lactate dehydrogenase in response to rising lactate levels, so lower levels of lactate dehydrogenase implies lower levels of lactate during and after exercise.

    That, in turn, should mean increased athletic endurance.

    And that is, in fact, what PurpleForce appears to do. Subjects who took it in the course of this study had greater athletic endurance.[63]

    Just as importantly, they also had greater willingness to exercise,[63] which could be interpreted has higher perceived energy levels.

    And who doesn’t want more energy?

    GHG: Fat Burner and Inhibitor

    Another key difference between purple tea and more familiar varieties of tea is 1,2-di-Galloyl-4,6-Hexahydroxydipheno yl–D-Glucose, which is abbreviated (thankfully) as GHG.[64]

    GHG appears to have significant anti-obesity activity and anti-aging effects.[64]

    One of GHG’s mechanisms of action is inhibiting fat absorption. This was shown in a 2015 study where subjects received 100 milligrams of a purple tea extract daily for 1 month.

    Purple Tea Extract Mice Bodyweight

    Mice loaded with a high fat diet gain far less weight when given purple tea extract (PTE).[65]

    By the conclusion of the study period, these subjects had lower levels of subcutaneous fat in their abdomens and upper arms.[65]

    Their lean body mass percentage increased as well,[65] indicating that the weight loss consisted of fat, which we generally want to lose, instead of muscle, which we generally don’t.

    It should be noted that this study suffers from an important limitation – it was not conducted with a randomized double-blind placebo control, meaning that researcher and design bias was not fully controlled for.

    In another study where men simply drank purple tea, researchers saw the following improvements in the subjects over the course of the study period:[60,66]

    Animal Supercharged Creatine XL

    • BMI decrease[66]
    • Reduced body weight[66]
    • Lower body fat percentage[66]
    • Less abdominal fat[66]
    • Smaller waist and hips[66]

    Again, not much research on GHG, yet, but the initial results are quite promising.

    Given what we know about anthocyanins and tea in other contexts, the claims being made here are totally plausible, if not yet completely proven.

    PurpleForce is distributed by MAYPRO, who has provided additional information about upcoming research and the ability of the ingredient to upregulate AMPK – a document well worth checking out.[60] We often call AMPK our “we need energy now” enzyme,[67] and its mechanisms align perfectly with the benefits demonstrated by purple tea extract thus far.

    With creatine and betaine as mainstay muscle-building supplements, we credit Team Animal at Universal Nutrition for bringing something quite different to Supercharged Creatine!

    You can learn more in our main PurpleForce article.

  • Senactiv (Panax notoginseng (root) and Rosa roxburghii Tratt (fruit) Extracts) – 50 mg

    Senactiv is a senolytic agent from NuLiv Science that’s extracted from Panax notoginseng and Rosa roxburghii – many know NuLiv Science as the world’s knowledge leaders on ginseng extracts like this.

    Senolytics are a category of nutraceutical that most consumers probably still aren’t familiar with. These are compounds that facilitate the breaking down and recycling of old, dead, or dying cells (i.e., senescent cells). The metabolic dead weight can then be replaced by healthier, more functional cells.

    Senactiv Leg Day Study 2021

    Your Leg Day just got better! A new study using the ginseng portion of Senactiv showed lower perceived exertion in heavy squats and reduced inflammatory markers a day later![68,69]

    A good number of studies have been done on the active constituent compounds that are responsible for Senactiv’s effects.[70-75]

    In one of these, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study (the type of study design that we love to see), people who supplemented with the ginseng-derived component of Senactiv before exercise had significantly attenuated muscle damage, faster glycogen replenishment, and less inflammation upon conclusion of exercise, compared to those who received the placebo control.[70]

    Additionally, the experimental group’s time to exhaustion at 80% VO2max increased by 20%.[70]

    Another recent study showed lower perceived exertion in leg exercises, followed by reduced inflammatory markers the next day.[68,69]

    Senactiv is another great example of how this formula approaches and enhances the original idea behind creatine supplementation with novel mechanisms of action.

    You can read more in our article titled Senactiv from NuLiv Science: Regenerate Senescent Cells and Perform Better.

Flavors Available

Universal Animal Supercharged Creatine

Supercharged Creatine has no added sugars or carbs, instead relying on natural flavors and sucralose as a sweetener:

Conclusion: Use the PurpleForce with Animal Supercharged Creatine

Animal Supercharged Creatine is a much-needed update on the classic creatine idea. We’ve seen creatine monohydrate combined with betaine before, and we’ve even seen a couple creatine formulas add Senactiv, but with the addition of PurpleForce, we can gladly say that this is a next generation creatine supplement.

The biggest question is if you want to take this, or take the delicious Pez-candy-like Animal Creatine Chews. Overall, this is going to be a more efficacious formula, given higher doses and more ingredients… but those Chews really are good, so consider also grabbing a few when you need some fun creatine on the go.

Universal – Deals and Price Drop Alerts

Get Price Alerts

No spam, no scams.

Disclosure: PricePlow relies on pricing from stores with which we have a business relationship. We work hard to keep pricing current, but you may find a better offer.

Posts are sponsored in part by the retailers and/or brands listed on this page.

Animal Supercharged Creatine XL Features

About the Author: Mike Roberto

Mike Roberto

Mike Roberto is a research scientist and water sports athlete who founded PricePlow. He is an n=1 diet experimenter with extensive experience in supplementation and dietary modification, whose personal expertise stems from several experiments done on himself while sharing lab tests.

Mike's goal is to bridge the gap between nutritional research scientists and non-academics who seek to better their health in a system that has catastrophically failed the public.

No Comments | Posted in | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , .

References

  1. Jagim, Andrew R., et al. “Safety of Creatine Supplementation in Active Adolescents and Youth: A Brief Review.” Frontiers in Nutrition, vol. 5, 28 Nov. 2018, 10.3389/fnut.2018.00115; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6279854/
  2. Kerksick, Chad M., et al. “ISSN Exercise & Sports Nutrition Review Update: Research & Recommendations.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 15, no. 1, 1 Aug. 2018, 10.1186/s12970-018-0242-y; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6090881/
  3. Kreider, Richard B., et al. “International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Safety and Efficacy of Creatine Supplementation in Exercise, Sport, and Medicine.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 14, no. 1, 13 June 2017, 10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5469049/
  4. Ostojic, Sergej M. “Dietary creatine and kidney function in adult population: NHANES 2017-2018.” Food science & nutrition vol. 9,4 2257-2259. 20 Feb. 2021, doi:10.1002/fsn3.2200 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8020933/
  5. Mayo Clinic. “Creatine.” Mayo Clinic, 2017, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-creatine/art-20347591
  6. Rawson ES, Volek JS. Effects of creatine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and weightlifting performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2003 Nov;17(4):822-31; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14636102/
  7. Branch, J David. “Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Body Composition and Performance: A Meta-Analysis.” International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, vol. 13, no. 2, 2003, pp. 198–226, 10.1123/ijsnem.13.2.198; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12945830/
  8. Chilibeck, Philip, et al. “Effect of Creatine Supplementation during Resistance Training on Lean Tissue Mass and Muscular Strength in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis.” Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. Volume 8, Nov. 2017, pp. 213–226, 10.2147/oajsm.s123529; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5679696/
  9. Devries, Michael A, and Stuart M. Philips; “Creatine Supplementation during Resistance Training in Older Adults—a Meta-Analysis.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vol. 46, no. 6, June 2014, pp. 1194–1203, 10.1249/mss.0000000000000220; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24576864/
  10. Chilibeck, P. D., et al. “Creatine Monohydrate and Resistance Training Increase Bone Mineral Content and Density in Older Men.” The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, vol. 9, no. 5, 2005, pp. 352–353; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16222402/
  11. Candow, Darren G., et al. “Creatine Supplementation and Aging Musculoskeletal Health.” Endocrine, vol. 45, no. 3, 5 Nov. 2013, pp. 354–361, 10.1007/s12020-013-0070-4; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24190049/
  12. Bogdanis, G C, et al. “Recovery of Power Output and Muscle Metabolites Following 30 S of Maximal Sprint Cycling in Man.” The Journal of Physiology, vol. 482, no. 2, 15 Jan. 1995, pp. 467–480, 10.1113/jphysiol.1995.sp020533; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7714837
  13. Mendez-Villanueva, Alberto, et al. “The Recovery of Repeated-Sprint Exercise Is Associated with PCr Resynthesis, While Muscle PH and EMG Amplitude Remain Depressed.” PLoS ONE, vol. 7, no. 12, 17 Dec. 2012, p. e51977, 10.1371/journal.pone.0051977; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23284836
  14. Mielgo-Ayuso, Juan, et al. “Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Athletic Performance in Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Nutrients, vol. 11, no. 4, 31 Mar. 2019, p. 757, 10.3390/nu11040757; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6520963/
  15. Lopez, Rebecca M et al. “Does creatine supplementation hinder exercise heat tolerance or hydration status? A systematic review with meta-analyses.” Journal of athletic training vol. 44,2 (2009): 215-23. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-44.2.215; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2657025/
  16. Sakellaris, George, et al. “Prevention of Traumatic Headache, Dizziness and Fatigue with Creatine Administration. A Pilot Study.” Acta Paediatrica, vol. 97, no. 1, 3 Dec. 2007, pp. 31–34, 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00529.x; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2583396/
  17. Anomasiri, Wilai, et al. “Low Dose Creatine Supplementation Enhances Sprint Phase of 400 Meters Swimming Performance.” Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet Thangphaet, vol. 87 Suppl 2, 1 Sept. 2004, pp. S228-232; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16083193/
  18. Schneider-Gold, C., et al. “Creatine Monohydrate in DM2/PROMM: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.” Neurology, vol. 60, no. 3, 11 Feb. 2003, pp. 500–502, 10.1212/01.wnl.0000044405.29988.e1; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12578937/
  19. McMorris, T., et al. “Effect of Creatine Supplementation and Sleep Deprivation, with Mild Exercise, on Cognitive and Psychomotor Performance, Mood State, and Plasma Concentrations of Catecholamines and Cortisol.” Psychopharmacology, vol. 185, no. 1, 17 Jan. 2006, pp. 93–103, 10.1007/s00213-005-0269-z; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16416332/
  20. Fuld, J P. “Creatine Supplementation during Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.” Thorax, vol. 60, no. 7, 1 July 2005, pp. 531–537, 10.1136/thx.2004.030452; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15994258/
  21. Braegger, Christian P., et al. “Effects of Creatine Supplementation in Cystic Fibrosis: Results of a Pilot Study.” Journal of Cystic Fibrosis: Official Journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society, vol. 2, no. 4, 1 Dec. 2003, pp. 177–182; 10.1016/S1569-1993(03)00089-4; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15463870/
  22. Rae, Caroline et al. “Oral creatine monohydrate supplementation improves brain performance: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.” Proceedings. Biological sciences vol. 270,1529 (2003): 2147-50. doi:10.1098/rspb.2003.2492; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1691485/
  23. Benton, David, and Rachel Donohoe. “The Influence of Creatine Supplementation on the Cognitive Functioning of Vegetarians and Omnivores.” The British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 105, no. 7, 2011, pp. 1100–5, 10.1017/S0007114510004733; https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/influence-of-creatine-supplementation-on-the-cognitive-functioning-of-vegetarians-and-omnivores/E2D37729902DDFA6CFC85767AD0421FC
  24. Schilling, Brian K., et al. “Creatine Supplementation and Health Variables: A Retrospective Study.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vol. 33, no. 2, 2001, pp. 183–188; https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2001/02000/Creatine_supplementation_and_health_variables__a.2.aspx
  25. Hoffman, Jay, et al. “Effect of Creatine and ß-Alanine Supplementation on Performance and Endocrine Responses in Strength/Power Athletes.” International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, vol. 16, no. 4, Aug. 2006, pp. 430–446, 10.1123/ijsnem.16.4.430; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17136944/
  26. Cook, Christian J, et al. “Skill Execution and Sleep Deprivation: Effects of Acute Caffeine or Creatine Supplementation – a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 8, no. 1, 16 Feb. 2011, 10.1186/1550-2783-8-2; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3049131/
  27. Volek, Jeff S., et al. “The Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Muscular Performance and Body Composition Responses to Short-Term Resistance Training Overreaching.” European Journal of Applied Physiology, vol. 91, no. 5-6, 1 May 2004, pp. 628–637, 10.1007/s00421-003-1031-z; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14685870/
  28. Sheikholeslami Vatani, D., et al. “The Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Performance and Hormonal Response in Amateur Swimmers.” Science & Sports, vol. 26, no. 5, Nov. 2011, pp. 272–277, 10.1016/j.scispo.2011.07.003; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0765159711001171
  29. Mujika, I., and S. Padilla. “Creatine Supplementation as an Ergogenic Aid for Sports Performance in Highly Trained Athletes: A Critical Review.” International Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 18, no. 07, Oct. 1997, pp. 491–496, 10.1055/s-2007-972670; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9414070
  30. Terjung, RL, et al; “Physiological and Health Effects of Oral Creatine Supplementation.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vol. 32, no. 3, Mar. 2000, pp. 706–717, 10.1097/00005768-200003000-00024; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10731017
  31. Guzun, R., et al. “Systems Bioenergetics of Creatine Kinase Networks: Physiological Roles of Creatine and Phosphocreatine in Regulation of Cardiac Cell Function.” Amino Acids, vol. 40, no. 5, 10 Mar. 2011, pp. 1333–1348, 10.1007/s00726-011-0854-x; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21390528
  32. Adhihetty, Peter J., and M. Flint Beal. “Creatine and Its Potential Therapeutic Value for Targeting Cellular Energy Impairment in Neurodegenerative Diseases.” NeuroMolecular Medicine, vol. 10, no. 4, 13 Nov. 2008, pp. 275–290, 10.1007/s12017-008-8053-y; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19005780
  33. Wallimann, Theo, et al. “The Creatine Kinase System and Pleiotropic Effects of Creatine.” Amino Acids, vol. 40, no. 5, 1 May 2011, pp. 1271–1296, 10.1007/s00726-011-0877-3; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3080659/
  34. Johnson, Todd A., et al. “Shortage of Cellular ATP as a Cause of Diseases and Strategies to Enhance ATP.” Frontiers in Pharmacology, vol. 10, 19 Feb. 2019, 10.3389/fphar.2019.00098; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6390775/
  35. Deminice, Rafael, et al. “Creatine Supplementation Reduces Increased Homocysteine Concentration Induced by Acute Exercise in Rats.” European Journal of Applied Physiology, vol. 111, no. 11, 1 Nov. 2011, pp. 2663–2670, 10.1007/s00421-011-1891-6; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21394640
  36. PubChem. “Creatine Monohydrate.” Nih.gov, PubChem, 2019; https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Creatine-monohydrate
  37. Kan, H.E., et al. “Intake Of13C-4 Creatine Enables Simultaneous Assessment of Creatine and Phosphocreatine Pools in Human Skeletal Muscle By13C MR Spectroscopy.” Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, vol. 56, no. 5, Nov. 2006, pp. 953–957, 10.1002/mrm.21068; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mrm.21068
  38. Wyss, Markus, and Rima Kaddurah-Daouk. “Creatine and Creatinine Metabolism.” Physiological Reviews, vol. 80, no. 3, 1 July 2000, pp. 1107–1213, 10.1152/physrev.2000.80.3.1107; https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.2000.80.3.1107
  39. Brosnan, John T., et al. “The Metabolic Burden of Creatine Synthesis.” Amino Acids, vol. 40, no. 5, 1 May 2011, pp. 1325–1331, 10.1007/s00726-011-0853-y; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21387089/
  40. Calles-Escandon J, Cunningham JJ, Snyder P, Jacob R, Huszar G, Loke J, Felig P. Influence of exercise on urea, creatinine, and 3-methylhistidine excretion in normal human subjects. Am J Physiol. 1984 Apr;246(4 Pt 1):E334-8. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.1984.246.4.E334; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6720887/
  41. Harris, Roger C., et al. “Elevation of Creatine in Resting and Exercised Muscle of Normal Subjects by Creatine Supplementation.” Clinical Science, vol. 83, no. 3, Sept. 1992, pp. 367–374, 10.1042/cs0830367; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1327657/
  42. Dahl, Olle. “Estimating Protein Quality of Meat Products from the Content of Typical Amino-Acids and Creatine.” Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, vol. 16, no. 10, Oct. 1965, pp. 619–621, 10.1002/jsfa.2740161009; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5841078/
  43. Forbes, Scott C et al. “Meta-Analysis Examining the Importance of Creatine Ingestion Strategies on Lean Tissue Mass and Strength in Older Adults.” Nutrients vol. 13,6 1912. 2 Jun. 2021, doi:10.3390/nu13061912; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8229907/
  44. Harris, R. C., et al. “The Concentration of Creatine in Meat, Offal and Commercial Dog Food.” Research in Veterinary Science, vol. 62, no. 1, 1 Jan. 1997, pp. 58–62, 10.1016/s0034-5288(97)90181-8; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9160426/
  45. Sjakste, N., Kleschyov, A. L., Boucher, J., Baumane, L., Dzintare, M., Meirena, D., . . . Kalvinsh, I. (2004). Endothelium- and nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxing activities of gamma-butyrobetaine esters: Possible link to the antiischemic activities of mildronate. European Journal of Pharmacology, 495(1), 67-73. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.05.006; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15219822
  46. Bakian, Amanda V et al. “Dietary creatine intake and depression risk among U.S. adults.” Translational psychiatry vol. 10,1 52. 3 Feb. 2020, doi:10.1038/s41398-020-0741-x https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7026167/
  47. Alraddadi, Eman A et al. “Absolute Oral Bioavailability of Creatine Monohydrate in Rats: Debunking a Myth.” Pharmaceutics vol. 10,1 31. 8 Mar. 2018, doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics10010031; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5874844/
  48. Cholewa, Jason M et al. “Effects of betaine on body composition, performance, and homocysteine thiolactone.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition vol. 10,1 39. 22 Aug. 2013, doi:10.1186/1550-2783-10-39; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3844502/
  49. Olthof, M. R., & Verhoef, P. (2005). Effects of betaine intake on plasma homocysteine concentrations and consequences for health. Current drug metabolism, 6(1), 15-22; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15720203
  50. Boel De Paepe; “Osmolytes as Mediators of the Muscle Tissue’s Responses to Inflammation: Emerging Regulators of Myositis with Therapeutic Potential”; EMJ Rheumatol. 2017;4undefined:83-89; https://www.emjreviews.com/rheumatology/article/osmolytes-as-mediators-of-the-muscle-tissues-responses-to-inflammation-emerging-regulators-of-myositis-with-therapeutic-potential/
  51. Caldas, Teresa, et al. “Thermoprotection by Glycine Betaine and Choline.” Microbiology, vol. 145, no. 9, 1 Sept. 1999, pp. 2543–2548, 10.1099/00221287-145-9-2543; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10517607/
  52. Roti, M; “Homocysteine, Lipid and Glucose Responses to Betaine Supplementation During Running in the Heat”; Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: May 2003 – Volume 35 – Issue 5 – p S271; https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2003/05001/HOMOCYSTEINE,_LIPID_AND_GLUCOSE_RESPONSES_TO.1501.aspx
  53. Armstrong, Lawrence E, et al. “Influence of Betaine Consumption on Strenuous Running and Sprinting in a Hot Environment.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 22, no. 3, May 2008, pp. 851–860, 10.1519/jsc.0b013e31816a6efb; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18438230
  54. Hoffman, Jay R, et al. “Effect of Betaine Supplementation on Power Performance and Fatigue.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 6, no. 1, 27 Feb. 2009, 10.1186/1550-2783-6-7; https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-6-7
  55. Lee, Elaine C, et al. “Ergogenic Effects of Betaine Supplementation on Strength and Power Performance.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 7, no. 1, 2010, p. 27, 10.1186/1550-2783-7-27; https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-7-27
  56. Trepanowski, John F, et al. “The Effects of Chronic Betaine Supplementation on Exercise Performance, Skeletal Muscle Oxygen Saturation and Associated Biochemical Parameters in Resistance Trained Men.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 25, no. 12, Dec. 2011, pp. 3461–3471, 10.1519/jsc.0b013e318217d48d; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22080324/
  57. Pryor, J Luke, et al. “Effect of Betaine Supplementation on Cycling Sprint Performance.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 9, no. 1, 3 Apr. 2012, 10.1186/1550-2783-9-12; https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-9-12
  58. Cholewa, Jason M., et al. “Effects of Betaine on Performance and Body Composition: A Review of Recent Findings and Potential Mechanisms.” Amino Acids, vol. 46, no. 8, 24 Apr. 2014, pp. 1785–1793, 10.1007/s00726-014-1748-5; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24760587/
  59. Jason Michael Cholewa, et al; “The Effects of Chronic Betaine Supplementation on Body Composition and Performance in Collegiate Females: a Double-B1lind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Trial”; Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition; BioMed Central; 31 July 2018; https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-018-0243-x
  60. MAYPRO; “PurpleForce Purple Tea Extract: New Clinical Data on Beneficial Effect for Exercise”; Retrieved August 31, 2022; https://blog.priceplow.com/wp-content/uploads/maypro-purpleforce-2022.pdf
  61. Lorenz M, Urban J, Engelhardt U, Baumann G, Stangl K, Stangl V. Green and black tea are equally potent stimuli of NO production and vasodilation: new insights into tea ingredients involved. Basic Res Cardiol. 2009 Jan;104(1):100-10. doi: 10.1007/s00395-008-0759-3. Epub 2008 Dec 20. PMID: 19101751. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00395-008-0759-3
  62. “Supplement Produces a “Striking” Endurance Boost.” ScienceDaily; August 26, 2010; https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100826104137.htm
  63. Cesareo, Kyle & Ziegenfuss, Tim & Raub, Betsy & Sandrock, Jennifer & Lopez, MD, CSCS, FAAPMR, Hector. (2020). Effects of Purple Tea on Muscle Hyperemia and Oxygenation, Serum Markers of Nitric Oxide Production and Muscle Damage, and Exercise Performance. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344196837_Effects_of_Purple_Tea_on_Muscle_Hyperemia_and_Oxygenation_Serum_Markers_of_Nitric_Oxide_Production_and_Muscle_Damage_and_Exercise_Performance
  64. PURPLE TEA EXTRACT Ver. 1.0 SJ PURPLE TEA EXTRACT Anti-Obesity・Diet Anti-Oxidant・Whitening Anti-Ageing Ingredients FOOD・COSMETICS Ingredient ■ Purple Tea Extract-P (Water Soluble Powder, FOOD Grade); Retrieved August 31, 2022; https://web.archive.org/web/20220831164112/http://www.oryza.co.jp/html/english/pdf/Purple%20Tea%20Extract%201.0SJ.pdf
  65. Shimoda, Hiroshi et al; “Purple Tea and Its Extract Suppress Diet-induced Fat Accumulation in Mice and Human Subjects by Inhibiting Fat Absorption and Enhancing Hepatic Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase Expression”; International journal of biomedical science; IJBS vol. 11,2; 2015; pp. 67-75; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4502735/
  66. MAYPRO; “Alluvia Overview”; https://web.archive.org/web/20181024213959/http://maypro.com/sites/default/files/studies/Alluvia_Overview.pdf
  67. Kola, B. (2008). Role of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase in the Control of Appetite. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 20(7), 942–951. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2658714/
  68. Roberto, Mike; “Senactiv Reduces Perceived Exertion and Exercise Inflammation: New 2021 Study”; The PricePlow Blog; September 3, 2021; https://blog.priceplow.com/supplement-ingredients/senactiv/perceived-exertion-inflammation
  69. Lee, Tanya, et al; “Reduced stem cell aging in exercised human skeletal muscle is enhanced by ginsenoside Rg1”; Aging; Vol. 13 No. 12; pp 16567 – 16576; June 30, 2021; https://www.aging-us.com/article/203176/pdf
  70. Hou, C.-W., Lee, S.-D., et. al. Plos One. “Improved Inflammatory Balance of Human Skeletal Muscle during Exercise after Supplementations of the Ginseng-Based Steroid Rg1.” Jan. 2015.10(1); https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0116387
  71. Wu, Jinfu, et al. “Ginsenoside Rg1 Supplementation Clears Senescence-Associated β-Galactosidase in Exercising Human Skeletal Muscle.” Journal of Ginseng Research, vol. 43, no. 4, 1 Oct. 2019, pp. 580–588, 10.1016/j.jgr.2018.06.002. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1226845318301131
  72. Lee, Bo Yun, et al. “Senescence-Associated β-Galactosidase Is Lysosomal β-Galactosidase.” Aging Cell, vol. 5, no. 2, Apr. 2006, pp. 187–195, 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2006.00199.x. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1474-9726.2006.00199.x
  73. Wu, Jinfu, et al. “Aerobic Exercise Induces Tumor Suppressor P16INK4a Expression of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Human Skeletal Muscle.” Aging, vol. 12, no. 20, 26 Oct. 2020, pp. 20226–20234, 10.18632/aging.103763. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7655215/
  74. Wu, Jinfu, et al. “Satellite Cells Depletion in Exercising Human Skeletal Muscle Is Restored by Ginseng Component Rg1 Supplementation.” Journal of Functional Foods, vol. 58, 1 July 2019, pp. 27–33, 10.1016/j.jff.2019.04.032. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1756464619302208
  75. Lee, Tania Xu Yar et al. “Reduced stem cell aging in exercised human skeletal muscle is enhanced by ginsenoside Rg1.” Aging vol. 13,12 (2021): 16567-16576. doi:10.18632/aging.203176; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8266347/

Comments and Discussion (Powered by the PricePlow Forum)