Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE)
Esterifying creatine with ethanol aims to bypass creatine transporters and improve membrane permeability, but controlled studies show faster conversion to creatinine and no added benefits.
CEE was popular in the mid-2000s for its capsule format and claim of improved absorption. In reality, the ester bond hydrolyzes quickly in the gut, degrading into creatinine if not buffered.
Quick facts
- Stability
- Low in aqueous environments
- Primary concern
- Higher serum creatinine without performance gains
- Current status
- Mostly phased out by evidence-based brands
Who it helps most
- Limited modern use; occasionally found in legacy blends
Limitations & cautions
- Inferior to monohydrate in head-to-head trials
- Can elevate creatinine lab values artificially
- Unpleasant bitter taste if capsules break
Research highlights
No advantage over monohydrate
Healthline and Garage Gym Reviews summarize studies where CEE failed to increase muscle creatine content or strength compared with monohydrate, while causing higher creatinine.
Sources: Healthline – 6 Types of Creatine, Garage Gym Reviews – Types of Creatine
Why the theory fell short
The ester bond is unstable in acidic environments, causing premature breakdown before absorption. Without intact creatine reaching muscle tissue, the expected performance edge never materializes.
Current marketplace reality
Most major sports nutrition brands have discontinued standalone CEE products. It occasionally appears in proprietary blends marketed for muscle pumps—read labels closely.
Recommendation
Unless future formulations address stability, consumers are better served by monohydrate, HCl, or malate forms with verifiable outcomes.
Practical dosing
Former protocols recommended 3–6 g daily, but modern practitioners rarely suggest CEE.
Sourcing checklist
If encountered, ensure certificates show creatine content tests and consider alternative forms instead.
Related creatine types
Compare with other creatine formats to find the best fit for your needs.
Sources
Healthline – 6 Types of Creatine
Identifies shortcomings of CEE compared with monohydrate.
Visit sourceGarage Gym Reviews – Types of Creatine
Provides practitioner commentary on CEE stability.
Visit source