Crea-TEN – Innovative Creatine Powerhouse!
5% Nutrition Crea-TEN – an innovative creatine powerhouse! Creatine has established itself as a foundational supplement because it has been proven over and over to be one of the most effective supplements on the market. That’s why you will find it in the arsenal of most serious lifters. In this edition of Supplement Spotlight, we will wind up our Brand Focus on 5% with one of their most classic products. Ready? Then let’s rock ‘n’ roll!
What Is 5% Nutrition Crea-TEN?
Crea-TEN’s unique formula provides ten of the most effective forms of creatine currently available. In addition, it features an exclusive Creatine Accelerate Blend. This is an innovative formula that is designed to significantly enhance endurance, optimize absorption, and promote water-based pumps.
Crea-TEN is one of the earliest 5% Nutrition products, and it was created by Rich Piana, who was the founder and owner. This product is designed to improve the absorption of creatine, thereby maximizing all of its impressive benefits. Plus, there’s no loading or cycling required! You only have to take it once a day.
Finally, 5% Nutrition Crea-TEN comes in several delicious fruity flavors, and it tastes amazing!
| 5% Nutrition Crea-TEN | ||
| Benefits | Product Highlights | |
| Promotes muscular endurance | Features an exclusive Accelerant Blend | |
| 10 absorption pathways | No loading required | |
| Supports recovery | Does not need to be cycled | |
| Promotes water-based pumps | Stack it! | |
| Several delicious flavors available |
What Is Creatine?
Most lifters no doubt know what creatine does. In addition, I would like to think that most lifters are using it. It’s no wonder. Next to protein powder, creatine is usually one of the first supplements an aspiring lifter tries. In fact, as I have said many times, creatine is a cornerstone supplement that should be in the arsenal of every serious lifter.
It’s become a cornerstone supplement because it works!
One of the primary things creatine does is increase stores of phosphocreatine in your muscles. Phosphocreatine is part of the ATP energy system. ATP is the energy source used by your muscles and brain. Phosphocreatine manufactures ATP when it runs out, allowing your muscles to keep contracting. That’s quite a benefit!
What else does creatine do? It supports hydration and water-based pumps by pulling water into the muscle cells. This causes them to swell in size. In addition, creatine supports recovery. Also, it has been recently shown to provide cognitive benefits. The list of benefits just gets better and better! Finally, creatine improves strength and supports muscle growth. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Why TEN Forms Of Creatine?
Creatine monohydrate is the original ground-breaking product that literally changed the supplement industry. When it was new, it had to be taken with apple or grape juice because the sugar aided absorption. It is safe to say that creatine in monohydrate form falls a little short when the talk turns to absorption.
5% Nutrition felt they created a better way by combining 10 forms of creatine. You see, since monodydrate’s introduction, every new version of creatine has centered around the idea that it was better absorbed.
With that thinking in mind, Crea-TEN finally solves the apparent problem of poor absorption once and for all. Besides using 10 forms, 5% also included an exclusive, state-of-the-art Creatine Accelerate Blend. This Blend ensures your muscles get the most out of the ten types of creatine in the Creatine Blend. Let’s be real, it does not make any difference if the supplement you want to use is a great product if your body can’t absorb it. Proper absorption is King!
Let’s Look At The Ingredients!
Creatine Blend – 5,000 mg
As noted, 5% Nutrition Crea-TEN features 10 of the most effective and well-absorbed versions of creatine. Here’s a breakdown of each of the ten forms of creatine:
Creatine Anhydrous
This is a version of creatine monohydrate that has had all the moisture removed. This results in a version of creatine that is more concentrated because it is a full 100% creatine (monohydrate is typically around 90%), and therefore more effective.
Tri-Creatine Malate
This form combines three creatine molecules with malic acid, which plays an important role in the metabolism of ATP (the fuel source for your muscles). This form of creatine still has all the benefits of regular creatine monohydrate, but it sidesteps the sometimes side effect of bloating, while significantly increasing endurance.
Creatine Monohydrate
This is it – the original form of creatine that started it all way back in the early ’90s. At the time, it caused quite a stir in the supplement industry! It changed the direction of the industry, and created an entirely new category. Since then, creatine monohydrate has become the most tested and proven natural supplement available.
To enhance the absorption of this now-legendary compound, this version uses micronized particles. These smaller particles are much easier for the body to absorb. In fact, most current creatine monohydrate powders are micronized.
Tri-Creatine Citrate
Like tri-creatine malate discussed above, this version also combines three creatine molecules with, in this case citric acid. This combination improves absorption, and is involved in the Citric Acid (Kreb’s) cycle of energy.
Creatine Citrate
This version combines creatine and citric acid, which is, as we have seen, a component of the Citric Acid (or Kreb’s) Cycle. This is an energy system that converts food into energy for your muscles. As you might guess, it supports the ATP energy system.
Creatine Pyruvate
Creatine pyruvate combines creatine with pyruvic acid. This combo is designed to improve solubility and absorption over regular creatine monohydrate. It enhances in-the-gym performance, helping to increase strength, power output, and endurance by providing both creatine and energy-producing pyruvate.
So far it’s clear that Crea-TEN is focused on optimizing ATP. Of course creatine has other functions, but extended endurance in the gym means you have the cellular energy to hit your reps and sets and see a little more strength in the process.
Creatine Ethyl Ester Hydrochloride
This compound was one of the first competitors of creatine monohydrate. This form was the first to target the absorption problems of the original creatine. Since then, it’s still a popular alternative.
Creatine AKG
This version attaches creatine to a molecule of alpha-ketoglutarate. This is another form that enhances absorption and focuses on extending endurance.
Creatine Gluconate
Back when creatine monohydrate first hit the market (as Phosphagen by EAS), it was suggested to take it with a simple sugar such as apple or grape juice. It didn’t taste great, but it did enhance absorption. With that thinking in mind, this is a version that really targets fast absorption by attaching creatine to glucose.
Creatine Phosphate
This version of creatine directly ties into the ATP energy system. As an added benefit, it also acts as an acid buffer (thanks to the phosphate).
Creatine Accelerate Blend – 1,580 mg
This exclusive Blend is one of the things that sets 5% Nutrition Crea-TEN apart from everybody else. The Creatine Accelerant Blend consists of taurine, betaine, gymnema sylvestre, banaba, and fenugreek. Finally there’s also Bioperine® Black Pepper to enhance absorption. In fact, the entire Blend enhances the absorption and utilization of the ingredients.
Taurine
Along with its ability to extend ATP energy, creatine was the original cell volumizer. It literally created the category. What does “cell volumizer” mean? It means that creatine pulls water into your muscles, which in turn causes them to swell in size. This has since been commonly called water-based pumps.
One of the ingredients you will often see paired with creatine to enhance this is taurine. It’s common in energy drinks for its cognitive benefits, but this nonproteinogenic amino acid also effectively pulls water into the muscles, supporting creatine in this role.
A Little History!
Currently, most pre-workouts and pump formulas contain both cell volumizers and nitric oxide boosters. As an interesting side note, the man that was heavily responsible for the introduction of creatine monohydrate (Phosphagen) was also the guy that introduced the first nitric oxide booster (NO2) – Ed Byrd, who is often called “Mr. Creatine”.
Betaine Anhydrous
Betaine is another ingredient that has become common in many pre-workouts, pump formulas and creatine formulas. It works well with creatine and has been compared to creatine. Like both creatine and taurine, betaine pulls water into the muscles. In addition, like creatine it’s believed to increase power and strength.
Gymnema Sylvestre Extract
Gymnema is a herb that you commonly find in GDAs (Glucose Disposal Agents). One of its functions is to maintain even blood sugar levels. Also, it helps drive carbohydrates into your muscle cells. This is a huge benefit because carbohydrates pull water into your muscle cells, helping to create water-based pumps.
Banaba Powder
Here’s another herb that enhances glucose delivery to your muscles. As you can see, 5% has overloaded the key benefit of. Absorption with the Accelerate Blend.
Fenugreek Seed Extract
You will usually find fenugreek in testosterone boosters. It’s being used here because it can lower levels of blood glucose, meaning you’ll avoid unwanted insulin spikes which can lead to fat gain when excess carbs are consumed.
BioPerine® Black Pepper
This is a patented form of Black Pepper that is commonly used to enhance nutrient absorption.
How Do I Use It?
To use Crea-TEN, mix 1 scoop with 6-8 ounces of cold water and consume immediately. You can consume it with your pre-workout, or with your post workout shake. On your off-days, mix 1 scoop with 6-8 ounces of water and consume 15-20 minutes before a meal.
Stack Suggestions
Here are some Stacks centered around 5% Nutrition PostCrea-TEN.
Stack # 1
- 5% Nutrition Crea-TEN
- Ghost Legend All Out V2 – This pre-workout has a good mix of nitric oxide boosters and cell volumizers that allow it to pair well with Crea-TEN.
- Hi-Tech Precision Protein – This is a must-have protein powder featuring hydrolyzed whey protein and a special technology that allows the anabolic amino acid leucine to be released in the early stages of protein synthesis.
- NutraBio Leg Day – Here’s an exceptional intra-workout that features cyclic dextrin (designer carbohydrates). Remember how we saw that carbs pull water into the muscles? This benefit allows Leg Day to pair well with Crea-TEN. Not to mention, carbs are the starting point of ATP.
- 5% Nutrition All Day You May – This is a great amino acid formula that goes beyond what most amino products offer. If it has a downside, it’s the use of prop blends. Still, it’s a good product that is well-dosed.
Stack # 2
As above, but make the following changes.
- Replace All Day You May with NutraBio EAA Pure – This excellent amino formula is more simple than All Day You May, but features extreme label transparency, so you know exactly what you are getting.
Add:
- AllMax Nutrition VITASTACK – Here’s a very comprehensive multivitamin pack. I always suggest a muti, it’s like health insurance. The last thing you want are nutritional deficiencies hampering your progress.
Optional:
- Hi-Tech Andriol – This is a mild prohormone that gets the job done without the need to cycle off or use a PCT.
- Competitive Edge Labs MPC-185 – This is DL-185 Dileucine Peptide which is a clinically backed anabolic peptide shown to ramp up protein synthesis dramatically. And, as we know, protein synthesis is a trigger of muscle growth.
Summary
Well, that brings my special edition of Supplement Spotlight – Brand Focus on 5% Nutrition to an end. We’ve seen three great 5% products. But, my Brand Focus itself does not end here – I’ll be tackling another brand in my next article! Until then, it’s time to stop by illpumpyouup.com and stock up on your supplements!
References:
- Banerjee, B., Sharma, U., Balasubramanian, K., Kalaivani, M., Kalra, V., & Jagannathan, N. R. (2010, June). Effect of creatine monohydrate in improving cellular energetics and muscle strength in ambulatory Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients: A randomized, placebo-controlled 31P MRS study. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20395096
- Robinson, T. M., Sewell, D. A., Hultman, E., & Greenhaff, P. L. (1999, August). Role of submaximal exercise in promoting creatine and glycogen accumulation in human skeletal muscle. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10444618
- Van, L. J., Oosterlaar, A. M., Hartgens, F., Hesselink, M. K., Snow, R. J., & Wagenmakers, A. J. (2003, February). Effects of creatine loading and prolonged creatine supplementation on body composition, fuel selection, sprint and endurance performance in humans. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12546637
- Kendall, K. L., Smith, A. E., Graef, J. L., Fukuda, D. H., Moon, J. R., Beck, T. W., . . . Stout, J. R. (2009, September). Effects of four weeks of high-intensity interval training and creatine supplementation on critical power and anaerobic working capacity in college-aged men. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19675499
- Branch, J. D. (2003, June). Effect of creatine supplementation on body composition and performance: A meta-analysis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12945830