Creatine HCL vs Monohydrate

Creatine is an organic compound—a natural source of energy—that helps your skeletal muscles flex. It also creates a steady supply of energy in your muscles so they can keep working properly. One way to ensure you’re getting enough creatine into your body is to take high-quality creatine supplements or a muscle health supplement like Muscle Health PLUS, which is chock-full of ingredients that are clinically designed to comprehensively support your muscle health. 

Which Is Better: Creatine HCL or Monohydrate?

Creatine HCL—also known as creatine hydrochloride—is creatine bound to a hydrochloric acid molecule. It helps enhance the creatine’s solubility and absorption, meaning your body will break down and absorb the creatine more efficiently. Studies have shown that creatine HCL is 38 times more soluble than creatine monohydrate. 

Creatine Monohydrate is the most commonly used form of creatine, and it is the most researched. It consists of a creatine molecule and a water molecule, is found naturally in the body, and may also be obtained through food sources like seafood, meat, and eggs. Creatine monohydrate is made up of three amino acids: glycine, arginine, and methionine. It can increase strength and the water content in your muscle cells, which can lead to muscle growth. This is the most popular and most clinically effective form of creatine, and it’s what we use in Muscle Health PLUS. 

Why Take Creatine HCL? 

There are a few perceived benefits of creatine HCL: 

• It’s more soluble. Once it’s mixed with water or other liquids, it dissolves relatively easily and quickly, which also means your body can absorb it quickly. 

• It requires a lower dose and does not require a loading phase. Meaning, you can start at the recommended dose. Other forms of creatine may have a recommended loading phase, which is when you start with a high dose of a supplement for a short period of time, then taper down to the recommended daily dose for long-term maintenance. 

• Since there is no water molecule in creatine HCL, it may come with less bloating and water retention than lower quality forms of creatine monohydrate.

Some bodybuilders prefer creatine HCL due to its anabolic effects—it can increase muscle strength, size, and endurance, which can be beneficial for those engaging in higher-intensity exercise and resistance training. 

It’s important to note that creatine HCL is a newer form of the supplement, and therefore, more research and human studies are needed to definitively speak to the benefits and comparisons of creatine HCL vs creatine monohydrate. 

What Are the Downsides of Creatine HCL?

There are a few things to consider before taking creatine HCL, including price, overall effectiveness, and side effects. 

Possible Side Effects of Creatine HCL

Creatine HCL is generally considered safe and has few reported side effects, and any side effects are minor. Some common side effects users experienced were water retention, gastrointestinal bloating or pain, muscle cramps, and weight gain. 

Is Creatine HCL Worth the Price?

Whether or not the price of creatine HCL is worth it is subjective, but there are some considerations to take into account. 

Creatine HCL is roughly 2.5 times more expensive than creatine monohydrate—that’s a significant difference. Generally speaking, a standard 225-gram package of creatine monohydrate is approximately $35, while a 45-55-gram package of creatine HCL is around $20. To break it down further, with these numbers:

• Creatine Monohydrate is approximately $0.16 per gram

• Creatine HCL is approximately $0.40 per gram

Another fact to consider is that studies show no significant difference between creatine HCL and creatine monohydrate. So, if you want to get the benefits of creatine without breaking the bank, creatine monohydrate may be a better option. 

Potential Side Effects of Creatine Monohydrate

Some people have concerns about the impact of creatine on the liver and kidneys, hair loss, weight gain, and more. But studies show that the side effects of creatine are relatively minimal. Some concerns are:

• Kidney damage or harm - When taken in recommended doses, creatine does not result in kidney issues in healthy individuals. However, if you are someone who already has an existing kidney condition, it is recommended to avoid creatine. 

• Hair loss - there is no available evidence that supports the claim stating creatine causes hair loss. 

• Dehydration or muscle cramping - there is no reported evidence of this. 

• Weight gain - there is no evidence to support this.

Overall, creatine monohydrate is considered safe and beneficial!

What Is the Best Type of Creatine to Take? 

Based on research and overall favorability, creatine monohydrate comes out on top as the best option for creatine supplementation.

When it comes to weight loss and building muscle, creatine is typically known for supporting muscle gain and overall athletic performance, but it is not directly tied to weight loss. Creatine can help increase lean muscle mass, help you perform better in athletic activity, support endurance, and help your muscles recover from exercise. While it is not directly linked to losing weight or losing fat, it is helpful in helping your body perform well during exercise, so if weight loss is your long-term goal, creatine can help your body with the endurance and stamina to make that possible. 

Conclusion

Creatine HCL and creatine monohydrate are both beneficial for athletic performance, but creatine monohydrate is by far the better option. Not only is it more widely available, but it is also less expensive, more widely studied, and has more reported benefits. Additionally, we include the highest quality version of creatine monohydrate in our Muscle Health PLUS. This supplement is uniquely designed to support all aspects of your muscle health. It has high-quality ingredients like creatine monohydrate, myHMB® (which boosts protein synthesis, reduces muscle damage, and more), BCAAs, other essential amino acids, and AstraGin® (which improves absorption of amino acids, improves protein synthesis, and more). The ingredients in Muscle Health PLUS are clinically proven to reduce muscle breakdown, increase lean muscle mass, boost protein synthesis, improve body composition, and enhance your body’s overall strength. This supplement is also designed to help your muscles recover after high-intensity exercise. Ultimately, it’s an all-inclusive supplement with ingredients that are clinically proven to support your muscle health. Ready to level up your workouts and muscle recovery? Grab Muscle Health PLUS today!