Creatine Plus SB study

CM + SB, Next Big Thing? 💪

This new study is very promising but sets off my "too good to be true" red flags after decades of reading studies. Promising yes, I will not get too excited until I see it reproduced. Some details of the design don't add up, such as 5 days of supplementation followed by a 1-week washout does not follow CM effects well for either full effects of CM or time to baseline via washout, for one thing. With that said, see:

"Combined creatine and sodium bicarbonate supplementation: impacts on hormonal, oxidative stress, and antioxidant responses to resistance exercise"

Sport Sciences for Health. Volume 22, article number 156, (2026)

Abstract
Purpose

This study examined the effects of 5-day creatine (CR), sodium bicarbonate (SB), and combined supplementation on hormonal, oxidative, and antioxidant responses to resistance exercise in men.

Methods

Eleven trained men participated in a randomized, double-blind, counterbalanced crossover study. Each completed 5 days of supplementation followed by a 1-week washout to evaluate hormonal, oxidative, and antioxidant responses to leg-press exercise to failure at 60% 1RM. Pre- and post-exercise blood samples were collected, and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) along with repetitions across five sets were recorded.

Results

The results demonstrated that resistance exercise resulted in an increase in RPE and a decrease in repetitions across the sets (P < 0.001), with these effects being significantly more pronounced in the placebo group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, supplementation with CR, SB, or their combination led to a reduction in cortisol levels, while concurrently increasing growth hormone and testosterone levels in comparison to the placebo group (P < 0.05). Also, no changes were observed in oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme levels (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that short-term supplementation can effectively enhance anabolic hormones and reduce catabolic hormones relative to a placebo group.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11332-026-01733-6

BrinkZone International Society of Sports Nutrition Creapure

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