- *MSRP:
$29.99- Our Price:
- $22.50
- Buy: at $22.50
- UPC: 733739020383
- # N2038
NOW Creatine Micronized Powder – 600 g
At-a-Glance Product Summary
NOW Creatine Micronized Powder delivers 4.2 grams of pure creatine monohydrate per serving to help your muscles recharge their natural energy stores during high-intensity exercise [1]. By gently milling standard creatine crystals down into micro-fine particles, this pure, unflavored powder dissolves smoothly in liquids and absorbs rapidly into muscle tissue without stomach heaviness [2]. It is formulated to support muscle power output, athletic stamina, and quick cellular recovery between workout sets [1].
Quick Specs Snapshot
- Active Form & Potency: 4.2 g (4,200 mg) of 100% pure micronized creatine monohydrate (C4H9N3O2·H2O) per 1 ½ level teaspoons.
- Primary Cellular Target: Cellular ATP energy recycling in skeletal muscle tissue and brain cells [1, 4].
- Supply & Value Math: About 119 servings per 600 g tub—providing almost 4 full months of daily performance support for pennies a day.
- Formulation Purity: 100% single-ingredient powder, zero excipients, non-GMO, vegan/vegetarian, allergen-screened, and lab-tested for heavy metals and chemical purity.
Right-Fit Buyer's Guide & Form Comparison
Why the Micronized Form Matters
Creatine monohydrate is the most proven, widely studied sports nutrition compound in the world, outperforming more expensive, trendy alternatives in head-to-head clinical trials [1]. Alternative forms like buffered creatine (Kre-Alkalyn) or creatine ethyl ester often cost twice as much without showing any superior absorption or strength benefits [1]. NOW micronizes its pure monohydrate powder to approximately 200-mesh particle size, ensuring it blends effortlessly into liquids rather than sinking like gritty sand, which protects against the mild stomach upset common with coarse powders.
Is This Formula Right for You?
Ideal For Shoppers Who:
- ✓ Athletes, weightlifters, and active individuals who want greater short-burst strength, speed, and workout capacity [1, 2].
- ✓ Vegetarians and plant-based eaters looking to replenish cellular creatine stores naturally lacking in meat-free diets [1].
- ✓ Health-conscious buyers looking for an unflavored, pure powder that easily blends into protein shakes or morning drinks.
Consider Another Option If:
- ✗ You prefer pre-measured, grab-and-go capsules for travel rather than scooping loose powder into a cup.
- ✗ You want a pre-workout drink with added caffeine, electrolytes, and flavorings rather than a single pure ingredient.
- ✗ You have severe medical kidney concerns and have been advised by your doctor to monitor all nitrogen compounds.
Every order is backed by the VitaNet®, LLC unconditional 100% money-back guarantee—we even cover return shipping on opened bottles so you can try it completely risk-free[cite: 1]!
Cellular Energy Pathways & How Creatine Works
Recharging Your Muscle's Cellular Batteries
Think of your muscle cells as having tiny rechargeable batteries called ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate, C10H16N5O13P3). When you run fast, lift a heavy box, or jump, your muscle fibers snap off one of the three phosphate pieces (Pi) to instantly release movement energy [1]. Once that phosphate is used up, ATP turns into an empty battery called ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate).
Your body only holds enough ready-to-use ATP for about 2 to 3 seconds of maximum effort. This is where creatine acts like an emergency backup generator. In your muscles, creatine links up with a free phosphate to form phosphocreatine (PCr) [4]. When your muscle battery runs low, phosphocreatine instantly hands its phosphate back to ADP, converting it back into brand-new ATP within fractions of a second:
ADP + Phosphocreatine ↔ ATP + Creatine
This rapid recycling pathway gives your working muscles the immediate energy needed to push out another rep or maintain top sprint speed before feeling fatigued [1, 2].
Intracellular Hydration and Muscle Fullness
Creatine is an osmolyte, meaning it draws water molecules into the interior of your muscle cells (intracellular hydration) [1]. This is completely different from carrying extra water underneath your skin, which creates a bloated feeling. Inside the muscle cell, this extra fluid creates a healthy stretch on the cellular walls that triggers natural muscle protein signaling pathways while protecting muscles from breakdown during demanding exercise [1, 4].
Daily Dosing, Timing & Synergy Protocol
Optimal Timing & Meal Pairing
Your muscle cells take in creatine through tiny cellular doorways called sodium-dependent creatine transporters (CreaT or SLC6A8) [1]. Taking your daily serving with a meal or snack that contains carbohydrates or protein stimulates a mild, healthy rise in insulin [1, 3]. Insulin acts like a key that opens these cellular doorways, allowing your muscles to absorb and store more creatine than taking it on an empty stomach [3]. Post-workout is an especially great time to take it, as your working muscles are primed to absorb nutrients like a dry sponge [1].
Daily Consistency vs. Fast Loading
You do not need to do an intense "loading phase" to experience full benefits [1, 3]. While taking 20 grams per day (split into four 5-gram servings) for 5 to 7 days fills muscle stores faster, taking 1 ½ teaspoons (4.2 grams) just once per day will completely saturate your muscles within 3 to 4 weeks with zero digestive stress [1, 3]. Daily consistency is what matters most; once your muscle stores are topped off, one daily serving keeps them at peak levels.
Smart Synergies & Spacing Rules
NOW Creatine mixes smoothly into protein shakes, fruit juices, or electrolyte drinks. Because creatine draws water into muscle tissue, be sure to drink 8 to 10 full glasses of water throughout the day. If you drink high-dose energy drinks or pre-workouts containing 300 mg or more of caffeine, try to take your creatine at a different time of day, as high amounts of caffeine taken simultaneously can speed up digestion and cause mild stomach cramps in sensitive individuals.
Timeline of Expectations
- Week 1: Cellular uptake begins. If using a loading strategy, you may notice your muscles looking slightly firmer and fuller as internal cellular hydration increases [1].
- Weeks 3–4: Muscle cells reach full phosphocreatine saturation [3]. You will likely notice better workout stamina, extra power during short-burst movements, and quicker recovery between exercises [1, 2].
- Months 2–3+: Maximum cellular energy stores are maintained steadily [1]. Training adaptations, strength preservation, and everyday physical performance remain solid and consistent [1, 2].
Sensory Profile & Pure Ingredient Standards
Delivery Format & Drinkability
This product is an ultra-fine, silky white micronized powder. While regular creatine can feel like coarse sand that immediately sinks to the bottom of your glass, micronized powder stays suspended in fluid much longer and swallows smoothly without any scratching, coughing, or throat irritation.
Aroma, Taste & Color Realities
NOW Micronized Creatine is 100% odorless and flavorless. It contains no sugars, artificial sweeteners, or bitter chemical aftertastes. When stirred into room-temperature water, it looks slightly cloudy for a few moments before becoming clear-to-translucent. It blends seamlessly into juices, smoothies, and shakes without altering their taste or texture.
Other Ingredients Demystified
The "Other Ingredients" panel on this container reads: None. That means you are getting pure nutritional fuel without factory additives:
- ✓ No Flow Agents: Zero magnesium stearate or vegetable stearates.
- ✓ No Anti-Caking Chemicals: Zero silicon dioxide or artificial desiccants.
- ✓ No Artificial Additives: Zero sucralose, acesulfame potassium, colors, or artificial flavorings.
Storage & Stability Guidance
Pure creatine monohydrate is naturally shelf-stable when kept completely dry. Keep the tub tightly closed in a cool, dark pantry or cupboard away from stove steam and bathroom moisture. Always make sure your scoop is completely dry before placing it back inside the container to prevent normal clumping.
Supplement Facts, Lab Testing & Quality Standards
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 ½ Level Teaspoons (approx. 4.2 g)
Servings Per Container: about 119
| Description | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Creatine Monohydrate | 4.2 g (4,200 mg) | ** |
** Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: None.
Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Caution: For adults only. Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition (especially kidney condition). Keep out of reach of children. Sold by weight not volume. Natural color variation may occur. Store in a cool, dry, dark place after opening. Packaged and quality tested in the USA.
NOW® Brand Strict Lab Testing & Contaminant Controls
NOW operates one of the most advanced, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited in-house testing complexes in the supplement industry, conducting over 16,000 analytical tests every month. Every single batch of micronized creatine undergoes comprehensive quality checks:
- ✓ Identity Verification: Tested via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to ensure 100% genuine molecular structure with zero hidden fillers.
- ✓ Screened for Chemical Contaminants: Cheap, overseas creatines often contain toxic byproducts from sloppy chemical manufacturing. NOW strictly tests for and excludes contaminants like dicyandiamide (DCD), dihydrotriazine (DHT), and excess creatinine.
- ✓ Heavy Metal Safety: Screened with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to parts-per-billion standards, ensuring lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury fall far below strict USP and California Proposition 65 limits.
- ✓ Microbial Screening: Verified clean of pathogenic bacteria, yeasts, and molds, including Salmonella and E. coli.
Curator's Quality Note & Reviewer Attribution
Curated and evaluated by the wellness team at VitaNet®, LLC[cite: 1]. Founded in 1995 as an independent, family-owned Ohio health retailer, VitaNet®, LLC brings over 31 years of direct hands-on supplement curation and human nutritional biochemistry experience to every product we offer[cite: 1].
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does micronized creatine dissolve better than standard creatine powder?
Yes. Micronization is a mechanical process that mills coarse creatine crystals down into particles that are about 10 times smaller than regular powder. While all pure monohydrate eventually dissolves, micronized powder stirs into water much faster, stays suspended in your cup longer, and prevents the sandy grit and heavy stomach feeling that rougher powders can cause.
Do I need to do a "loading phase" when starting this creatine?
No, loading is completely optional. A loading phase (taking 20 grams a day divided into 4 servings for 5 to 7 days) saturates muscle tissue within a week [1, 3]. However, simply taking 1 ½ teaspoons (4.2 grams) once per day achieves the exact same full muscle saturation within 3 to 4 weeks, with zero risk of stomach cramping [1, 3].
Will this creatine make me look bloated or gain body fat?
No. Creatine contains zero calories, zero fat, and zero carbohydrates. It does not cause body fat accumulation. It pulls water directly into the interior of your muscle cells (intracellular hydration) rather than under your skin [1]. This makes your muscles feel firmer and fuller, which is a positive sign that your muscle fibers are hydrated and energized.
Can I mix this powder into warm drinks, juices, or food?
Yes. NOW Micronized Creatine is completely unflavored and heat-stable at ordinary food and drink temperatures. You can easily stir it into warm oatmeal, morning juice, or blend it into a protein smoothie. Just drink the mixture within a short time after mixing, as creatine slowly breaks down into inactive creatinine if left sitting in water for many days.
Will taking this creatine powder break my intermittent fast?
No, pure creatine monohydrate will not break your fast. Because this product has zero calories, zero sugars, and zero protein, it does not spike insulin or disrupt fasting goals. However, if taking supplements on an empty stomach makes you feel slightly nauseous, taking it with your first meal of the day is completely fine.
Scientific References & Verified Studies
- Kreider, R.B., Kalman, D.S., Antonio, J., Ziegenfuss, T.N., Wildman, R., Collins, R., Candow, D.G., Kleiner, S.M., Almada, A.L., & Lopez, H.L. (2017). 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, 14, 18.
- Rawson, E.S., & Volek, J.S. (2003). Effects of creatine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and weightlifting performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 17(4), 822–831.
- Hultman, E., Söderlund, K., Timmons, J.A., Cederblad, G., & Greenhaff, P.L. (1996). Muscle creatine loading in men. Journal of Applied Physiology, 81(1), 232–237.
- Wallimann, T., Tokarska-Schlattner, M., & Schlattner, U. (2011). The creatine kinase system and pleiotropic effects of creatine. Amino Acids, 40(5), 1271–1296.
