Why does my creatine smell bad? (6 Stinky Creatine Facts)

Creatine is typically described as having no taste or odor. That said, some users report a sour smell, but definitely nothing bad. If the new creatine smells bad, return it to the manufacturer for a replacement or refund. You should also be careful where you store creatine, as it can be affected by heat, humidity and direct sunlight. A sealed container of creatine can last a long time, even a year or two past the expiration date. However, if the container has been unsealed for more than 36 months, you must replace it.

Creatine should be odorless

First, let’s face it, creatine should be odorless.

That said, I’ve seen some users describe it as having a sour smell.

There are also those who say it has a slightly chalky smell.

I think it all comes down to us having different senses to each other, where some may be more sensitive to smell than others.

In any case, when you buy creatine for the first time, and even if you have had a tub for a long time, it should not emit a particular smell.

Why does my creatine smell like fish?

If your creatine supplement emits a fishy smell, it often suggests that the product has gone bad or spoiled. Normally, creatine monohydrate is a stable substance that should not emit strong odors, especially not reminiscent of fish. In such cases, it is recommended to discard the supplement and avoid consuming it.

I researched the smelly creatine phenomenon online and was quite surprised by what I found.

In fact, I came across various online fitness forums and Question & Answer websites where a multitude of people complained about the smell of creatine.

This is when you immediately know that there is something wrong with your particular container.

In fact, one user had just purchased a brand new bathtub and reported that upon opening it, it gave off an extremely strong fishy smell.

As I said, creatine should be odorless, and if you find that it has a smell, this should not be anything bad.

So our fish friend clearly received a container that went bad for whatever reason.

He said he had bought creatine decanoate, which is a little different from the standard monohydrate.

Creatine decanoate is a micronized creatine.

This simply means that creatine is essentially monohydrate, but the molecules have been cut or split.

Basically, it increases the surface area of ​​creatine, which promotes faster absorption and can reduce potential stomach discomfort.

And this is just one of the many forms of creatine.

But, in reality, even another type of creatine should not smell fishy.

There was definitely something wrong with his container.

Even a small amount of water that comes into contact with creatine during the manufacturing process can have an impact.

However, if your creatine smells fishy, ​​you know for a fact that you probably shouldn’t be consuming it, as it is likely to make you feel sick.

Return the creatine to the manufacturer immediately and request a replacement or refund.

Does creatine make you smell bad?

I have to admit that I often laugh at myself about some of the things I read online.

In fact, I found a creatine user who was convinced that creatine made him smell like onions.

He had even “proved” this for himself.

On the days he consumed creatine, he said he definitely smelled like an onion.

And this was even after he had washed and showered.

However, as a test, he decided to go without creatine for a couple of days, and claimed that his onion smell had disappeared.

Now, I don’t want to go into the ins-and-outs of this individual’s personal hygiene, diet, or even his sweat glands, but this is clearly strangely powerful.

Not only should creatine be tasteless and odorless, it certainly shouldn’t smell different when consumed.

Okay, our onion friend has become convinced that creatine is clearly the culprit, but I would venture to guess that there is another explanation.

Therefore, I categorically state that creatine does not make you smell.

Where do you store your creatine?

Okay, so you know that if your new creatine gives off a pungent odor, you should definitely put it back.

However, what if you’ve had a tub of creatine for a few weeks and it suddenly starts to smell awful?

This may have something to do with where you store your creatine.

Creatine should always be stored in a cool, dry place.

As with most powders, you probably don’t want to store them anywhere the temperature goes above 70F.

Okay, I understand that because of the weather it’s not always possible, but obviously you do the best you can.

However, if you store your creatine container outdoors, especially near heat or direct sunlight, it has a greater chance of going bad.

Also, humidity can also have an effect.

So, you don’t particularly want your container to be near the kitchen or the microwave.

You don’t want it on a shelf near a window so it’s in direct sunlight.

And it’s not a good idea to keep it close to the boiler.

Probably You should not store this type of supplement in your car, especially during very hot weather.

Of course, storing creatine in a warmer environment or in direct sunlight may not have any effect.

But why take the chance?

How long have you had your creatine?

Another thing to be aware of is the expiration date of your creatine.

Most supplements have a specific expiration date.

This is usually within a maximum of 3 years of the production of the product.

However, in truth, a sealed container of creatine that has been stored in a cool, dry place will typically last up to a year or two.

That said, if you’ve had an open container for more than 36 months, I’d suggest throwing it out and replacing it.

I know most of us generally buy creatine and use it regularly.

So we never get close to the actual due date.

But, this is definitely something you should be aware of.

Should I Use Creatine Capsules?

We know some users are put off by the fact that their creatine smells bad.

Thus, they could be influenced to take creatine capsules.

In truth, if you have purchased a good quality creatine there should be absolutely no difference between the pills and the powder.

I have heard people say that the capsules enter the circulation more quickly, but I have paid very little attention to this.

Creatine supplementation is all about flooding the muscles with creatine and then maintaining this state.

So once you get it through loading or regular consumption, it makes very little difference how “quickly” creatine is absorbed.

I will say that creatine powder is less expensive than capsules, so this is something to consider if you are on a tight budget.

Also, creatine capsules also have an expiration date, so they can “go bad” too.

In reality, it’s just a matter of personal preference.

Final thoughts

So, as you can see, if your creatine smells bad then it probably means that there is something wrong.

Creatine should definitely be odorless, but if there is a slight smell it should not hurt.

If it is a new container, return it to the manufacturer.

You should also make sure to store your creatine in a cool, dry place.

In addition, do not forget that creatine has an expiration date, so be careful how long you have had the container.

So, this is the “odor” dealt with, but here is another common complaint, namely, because creatine makes you feel hungry?