03.03.14
A recent review of creatine and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements by ConsumerLab.com, White Plains, NY, found quality issues with 36% of the products examined. Such ingredients have become popular in helping athletes meet their fitness goals, as well as supporting those with muscular diseases or recovering from injuries.
However, three of the creatine supplements reviewed were found to contain unacceptable levels of creatine breakdown compounds, and two of these products provided only minute levels of creatine. In addition, the BCAA “blends” in some products were found to consist mainly of compounds other than BCAAs, with only 5-10% of listed amounts being BCAAs.
ConsumerLab.com also found the price of the products to vary widely. The lowest cost to get the equivalent of 5 grams of high-quality creatine monohydrate from a supplement was 9 cents, and for 5 grams of BCAAs it was 31 cents, while the cost was well over $1 to get these same ingredients from some other products.
ConsumerLab.com selected 11 supplements for the study, and eight supplements passed its voluntary Quality Certification Program. Two products similar to one that passed testing are also identified.
However, three of the creatine supplements reviewed were found to contain unacceptable levels of creatine breakdown compounds, and two of these products provided only minute levels of creatine. In addition, the BCAA “blends” in some products were found to consist mainly of compounds other than BCAAs, with only 5-10% of listed amounts being BCAAs.
ConsumerLab.com also found the price of the products to vary widely. The lowest cost to get the equivalent of 5 grams of high-quality creatine monohydrate from a supplement was 9 cents, and for 5 grams of BCAAs it was 31 cents, while the cost was well over $1 to get these same ingredients from some other products.
ConsumerLab.com selected 11 supplements for the study, and eight supplements passed its voluntary Quality Certification Program. Two products similar to one that passed testing are also identified.
