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Photo: Brenley Goertzen
Suddenly, it seems like creatine is everywhere. Earlier this year, my colleague Arielle Avila dug deep into the subject, and I’ve noticed a host of brands have added more creatine-inclusive options to their lines (including Bulletproof’s Coffee + Creatine, Mindbodygreen’s Creatine With Taurine+, and Vega’s Creatine Capsules). I’ve heard from many of my friends and family members about how they’ve started incorporating creatine into their daily routines, too: My 63-year-old father swears by creatine gummies, and my younger brother, who plays a college sport, likes the powder. While it might seem like just another gym-bro trend, creatine is actually one of the most well-studied supplements to improve exercise performance and boost strength. Some studies have indicated it has even greater benefits, like supporting cognitive function, mobility in older adults, and even women’s health during period cycles and menopause. In other words, it’s not just for fitness buffs; anyone who counts themself as health conscious might benefit from trying it.
In simple terms, creatine is a natural, non-protein compound. Most people get creatine through their diet, by eating red meat or seafood, and the body can even produce it, mainly in our liver, kidneys, and pancreas. But taking a supplement can help increase your body’s creatine stores, which draws more water into your muscles and increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production for increased energy.
I started using Momentous creatine because it was the supplement my fiancé uses and we already had it in our house. Compared to other creatines on the market, Momentous boasts high-standard manufacturing and a range of safety certifications. It’s NSF Certified for Sport, meaning it has been independently tested for contaminants and banned substances. Momentous also uses Creapure, which is the brand name for pure creatine monohydrate, produced by the German company Alzchem. Creapure is known for its purity and rigorous testing standards, plus it’s certified vegan and kosher and halal certified. Creapure’s production meets FSSC (Food Safety System Certification) 22000 certification, a rigorous, globally recognized quality standard. I also love that it’s free from fillers, additives, and artificial sweeteners. Creatine Chews come in a few fun fruit flavors, too, if you’d rather not use a powder.
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I usually opt for Momentous’s unflavored powder because the five-gram scoop — the recommended daily dose is three to five grams — can be mixed into my water bottle and I hardly notice it. It dissolves easily, and I try to drink it each morning, even on days when I know I won’t be exercising. Since I began testing Momentous a few months ago, I’ve stuck to my usual workout regiment to see how the supplement works. I’m active about five to six times per week, from Pilates and HIIT classes to running, cycling, and long walks. I’ve noticed that I’m less sore at the end of each day, and my muscles seem to recover more quickly after a super-intense workout. I’ve always known that (genetically) I can build muscle mass and strength rather quickly — my mother was a rhythmic gymnast — but with Momentous, it feels like I’m leaner and have more energy to push through hard training sessions. When I’m sprinting or conquering a massive hill on my bike, I feel a little less breathless, which makes sense since creatine shines in those quick, high-intensity bursts. I’ve also noticed that I feel sharper throughout my workdays even if I’m sleep deprived.
Even on my rest days, it seems like my recovery is maximized. After simply drinking my creatine and relaxing, the next day I’m able to do heavier reps, like increasing weight on squats or bicep curls where I might not have been able to before. When I’m running out the door or want a little more flavor, I’ll opt for the Momentous Travel Packs in the lemon flavor, which basically tastes similar to citrusy electrolytes (they also come in the original unflavored version). Having these packets with me when I’m away from home is key, since taking creatine consistently helps maintain muscle saturation, meaning the cells are optimized for energy production. After three months of trying Momentous, I feel stronger and more energized with less brain fog — and certain that creatine is worth the hype.
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