# Creatine and 3rd party testing **URL:** \ **Category:** Nutrition Q&A \[Moderated\]\ **Created:** [March 30, 2022, 8:14pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-and-3rd-party-testing/12242 "2022-03-30T20:14:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![brettkeefer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/brettkeefer/32/1087_2.png) [@brettkeefer](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/brettkeefer)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2022, 8:14pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-and-3rd-party-testing/12242/1 "2022-03-30T20:14:00Z")
For the last 4 years I’d say, I’ve been using vitamin shoppes own brand bodytech for their creatine. It’s just pure creatine monohydrate. It’s pretty cheap and comes with a lot of servings. I’ve been using it and have had no weird side effects, nothing in my bloodwork that would suggest it’s tainted. However , I’m not sure about the authenticity of their testing processes. When you go on their website , in reference to their products it states, “The BodyTech® brand meets industry standards for quality through a rigorous testing process so you can be confident in the products you buy, every time. Tested: We demand rigorous testing for ingredient purity and potency, detailed products specifications, and scientific evidence with documentation to support every claim. Trusted: You can trust these products to meet FDA guidelines as demonstrated by third-party analysis and strict adherence to cGMPs.” but they’re not NSF certified or anything like that. So now I’m wondering if I should switch brands. I went on USADA website and found the list of NSF certified brands. Should I stick to that list? But then I also think of things like protein bars. I eat quest or axe and sledge protein bars a few times a week, and those don’t say 3rd party certified. Are they under a different microscope because of being considered food instead of a supplement ? ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2022, 5:10pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-and-3rd-party-testing/12242/2 "2022-03-31T17:10:33Z")
I would not purchase or consume supplements that don’t bear the mark of NSF, USP, or Informed for Sport (the one we use). I know there are protein bars certified by Informed for Sport. I’d stick to those, when possible. ---
**Author:** ![brettkeefer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/brettkeefer/32/1087_2.png) [@brettkeefer](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/brettkeefer)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-and-3rd-party-testing/12242/3 "2022-03-31T17:18:29Z")
Thanks for the input Jordan , I’ll switch up brands then. Two follow up questions, 1. does having this certification mean that they’re tested both for banned substances , AND tested for what they say are in there? Example, if a protein powder has one of those certifications, they would not be allowed to lie about their products contents via “spiking” 2. are you guys planning on releasing a creatine only product anytime soon? ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2022, 2:20pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-and-3rd-party-testing/12242/4 "2022-04-02T14:20:35Z")
Bret, 1. Using the Informed for Sport certification means exactly that, but I can’t be sure about the other certs. 2. Unfortunately, no. -Jordan ---
**Author:** ![brettkeefer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/brettkeefer/32/1087_2.png) [@brettkeefer](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/brettkeefer)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2022, 3:09pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-and-3rd-party-testing/12242/5 "2022-04-02T15:09:16Z")
Appreciate the discussion Jordan! one last thing, the product I’ve found is “micronized” creatine , seems the particles are just smaller? Do you have any issues with this type vs a regular type. ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2022, 1:00am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-and-3rd-party-testing/12242/6 "2022-04-04T01:00:08Z")
> [@brettkeefer](#): > > Appreciate the discussion Jordan! > > one last thing, the product I’ve found is “micronized” creatine , seems the particles are just smaller? Do you have any issues with this type vs a regular type. It doesn’t matter at all. [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/barbellmedicine/original/2X/6/69e6ede7e5d4bffa77a72770ad94941a8d65d642.jpeg "10 SCIENTIFIC things YOU need to know about CREATINE (in under 5 minutes)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffLWfXb2zGs) ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2022, 3:56pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-and-3rd-party-testing/12242/7 "2022-04-04T15:56:19Z")
> Is Informed Choice an OK certification as well? I believe it’s randomized testing as opposed to all batches being tested when certified Informed for Sport if I am not mistaken. Yes, I believe that is correct. We use Informed for Sport.