Creatine Pyruvate
Pairs creatine with pyruvic acid to potentially support aerobic recovery between sprints; studied mostly for intermittent sports.
Pyruvate is the end product of glycolysis and feeds the Krebs cycle. The salt form attempts to marry ATP regeneration with oxidative recovery.
Quick facts
- Creatine yield
- ~60%
- Primary audience
- Soccer, hockey, combat sports
- Taste
- Slightly tart
Who it helps most
- Athletes alternating between sprints and active recovery
- Users following carbohydrate periodization
- People curious about less common salts
Limitations & cautions
- Fewer published trials
- More expensive than monohydrate
- Limited supply chain transparency
Research highlights
Endurance crossover data
Healthline and Wellbeing Nutrition reference research suggesting improved time to exhaustion in cycle ergometer tests when creatine pyruvate is combined with carbohydrate loading.
Sources: Healthline – 6 Types of Creatine, Wellbeing Nutrition – Types of Creatine
Use cases
Teams in preseason conditioning blocks sometimes experiment with pyruvate salts to support both high-intensity bursts and oxidative recovery. Evidence remains preliminary, so pair with proven conditioning tactics.
Integration with fueling
Because pyruvate works best with carbohydrate availability, schedule servings around higher-carb meals or training drinks.
Supply chain considerations
Only a handful of raw material suppliers manufacture this salt, so confirm lot testing for purity and heavy metals.
Practical dosing
5 g powder delivering ~3 g creatine base, best taken with carbohydrates pre- or post-training.
Sourcing checklist
Opt for brands that share third-party lab results showing both creatine and pyruvate content.
Related creatine types
Compare with other creatine formats to find the best fit for your needs.
Sources
Healthline – 6 Types of Creatine
Documents early pyruvate research.
Visit sourceWellbeing Nutrition – Types of Creatine
Summarizes niche forms such as pyruvate.
Visit source