Creatine monohydrate (CM) is the only effective and relevant form; other forms sold at a higher price are marketing strategies intended to increase profit margins.

noli's read

Layne Norton's assertion is firmly supported by the current scientific consensus. Creatine monohydrate is the most studied form, with a bioavailability exceeding 99%, meaning it already fully saturates muscle stores (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, position stand, meta-analyses). Alternative forms (such as creatine HCL or buffered creatine) are often presented as superior, but randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show that they offer no significant advantage in terms of performance or absorption compared to monohydrate. The 'scam' aspect mentioned is a plausible commercial interpretation, as it is established that patented forms are consistently more expensive without scientific proof of superiority. Therefore, there is no proven physiological benefit to paying more for a different form. Research thus validates the idea that simplicity is synonymous with maximum effectiveness in this case.

the sources

1. 1NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 2026