Creatine is one of the most popular and well-researched sports supplements in the world. Backed by over 700 human studies, it’s consistently shown to:
- Increase muscle size and strength
- Boost high-intensity performance
- Support brain health and recovery
Yet despite decades of research proving safety and efficacy, myths still dominate: “Is creatine a steroid?” “Does it cause kidney damage?” “Will it make me bald?” With thousands of fitness influencers weighing in, it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s hype.
This article takes a unique approach. Instead of only reviewing what creators say, we analyzed 5,229 of the most engaged YouTube comments across six of the most successful creatine videos. This let us see which videos actually answer the audience’s biggest questions, and which leave viewers confused or frustrated.
Key Statistics at a Glance
Final Ranking: Best Creatine Guidance on YouTube
- Renaissance Periodization – Busting Creatine Myths
- Jeff Nippard – How To Use Creatine To Build Muscle
- ATHLEAN-X – Creatine: Everything You NEED to Know
- Jeremy Ethier – What Happens After 30 Days of Creatine
- Dr. Sten Ekberg – The Truth About Creatine Melting Belly Fat
- Myprotein – What Does Creatine Do?
Per-Video Snapshot
| Video | Views | Likes | Comments | Likes/Views | Comments/Views |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance Periodization | 2.2M | 68k | 4,541 | 3.09% | 0.21% |
| Jeff Nippard | 2.2M | 81k | 2,774 | 3.68% | 0.13% |
| ATHLEAN-X | 694k | 20k | 1,617 | 2.88% | 0.23% |
| Jeremy Ethier | 7.3M | 121k | 5,521 | 1.66% | 0.08% |
| Sten Ekberg | 560k | 19k | 862 | 3.39% | 0.15% |
| Myprotein | 2.2M | 53k | 1,370 | 2.41% | 0.06% |
Audience Sentiment
| Video | Positive | Neutral | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance Periodization | 36% | 36% | 26% |
| Jeff Nippard | 44% | 38% | 17% |
| ATHLEAN-X | 40% | 31% | 26% |
| Jeremy Ethier | 34% | 33% | 32% |
| Sten Ekberg | 44% | 36% | 19% |
| Myprotein | 46% | 32% | 19% |
Takeaway: Jeff Nippard and Myprotein earned the highest positivity. Jeremy Ethier drew the most negativity, while Renaissance Periodization balanced controversy with clarity.
Deep Dives: What Each Video Got Right (and Wrong)
1) Renaissance Periodization – Busting Creatine Myths (Best Overall)
Why #1: Clear, blunt myth-busting on kidney safety, hair loss, and “is creatine a steroid?”
Audience pulse: High engagement with personal stories and relief from misinformation.
Actionable takeaways:
- Use creatine monohydrate, 5 g/day
- No need to load, timing irrelevant, just be consistent
- Creatine supports muscle, brain, and heart health
Caveat: Oversimplifies creatine vs. creatinine, which confused medically literate viewers.
2) Jeff Nippard – How To Use Creatine To Build Muscle
Strength: Science-driven, references 300+ studies, clearest guide to loading, timing, non-responders, and hair loss.
Audience pulse: Highest % of praise; viewers loved the clarity and visuals.
Actionable takeaways:
- Loading speeds saturation (20–25 g/day × 7 days, then 5 g/day)
- Post-workout timing may give a small edge
- Safe long-term, no cycling needed
Caveat: Sponsorship with Hims (finasteride ad) undermined credibility for some.
3) ATHLEAN-X – Creatine: Everything You NEED to Know
Strength: Creative skits busting myths, clear dosing by weight, practical hydration tips.
Audience pulse: Curious and entertained; some thought skits hokey.
Actionable takeaways:
- 3–5 g/day for lighter individuals, up to 10 g/day if 200+ lbs
- Creatine HCL for those with gut issues
- Especially beneficial for older adults
Caveat: Minor scientific slip; playful style not for everyone.
4) Jeremy Ethier – 30 Days on Creatine
Strength: Timeline format helped beginners set expectations.
Audience pulse: Most polarized; frustration about unanswered questions.
Actionable takeaways:
- Expect 1–3 lbs water weight early
- Dissolve in hot water to reduce stomach upset
- Inform your doctor about creatine (blood test confusion)
Caveat: Too general; lacked dosing and population-specific guidance.
5) Dr. Sten Ekberg – The Truth About Creatine Melting Belly Fat
Strength: Excellent cellular explanation (ATP cycle, brain benefits).
Audience pulse: Curious and grateful — but confusion over his repeated misuse of “creatinine.”
Actionable takeaways:
- Creatine recycles ATP for energy
- Supports cognition and mitochondrial health
- Cystatin C test is better for kidney function monitoring
Caveat: Mislabeling creatine/creatinine undermined trust; misleading title.
6) Myprotein – What Does Creatine Do?
Strength: Clear intro for beginners, vegetarian/vegan benefits.
Audience pulse: Most questions of any video, showing high curiosity but shallow coverage.
Actionable takeaways:
- 1 scoop of powder ≈ creatine in 1.3 kg of beef
- Safe and natural supplement
Caveat: Too superficial; left crucial questions unanswered.
Practical Toolkit: What Viewers Can Apply Right Away
Synthesizing the most consistent advice across all six videos, here is a simple toolkit for anyone considering creatine:
- What to Buy: Creatine Monohydrate. It is the most researched, effective, and cheapest form. Micronized versions may dissolve better.
- How Much to Take: 3–5 grams per day. For larger individuals (over 200 lbs), a higher dose of up to 10g may be beneficial.
- Loading Phase: Optional. Taking 20–25g per day for 5–7 days will saturate your muscles faster, but taking 5g daily will achieve the same result in 3–4 weeks. Loading is more likely to cause stomach discomfort.
- When to Take It: Anytime. Consistency is more important than timing. Taking it at the same time each day helps build the habit.
- How to Take It: Mix it with water or another liquid. Using warm water can help it dissolve better and may reduce stomach upset.
- Key Expectation: Expect to gain 2–5 pounds in the first few weeks, mostly from water drawn into your muscles. This is a positive sign.
- Safety: Creatine is one of the safest supplements for healthy individuals. It does not cause kidney damage, is not a steroid, and the link to hair loss is weak and unproven.
The Questions Viewers Kept Asking
Across thousands of comments, the same questions appeared again and again. The best videos answer these directly:
- Is it safe for my kidneys? What about creatinine? This was the #1 concern. Viewers are confused about blood tests showing high creatinine levels. They need to know this is an expected byproduct of supplementation and not a sign of kidney damage in healthy people.
- Will it make me lose my hair? The fear of hair loss is a major barrier for many. Viewers want a clear verdict on the link between creatine, DHT, and baldness.
- How much should I really take? The "5 grams a day" rule feels too generic. Viewers of all body sizes, ages, and genders want personalized dosing advice (e.g., based on body weight).
- Is it okay for teenagers/older adults/women? Many parents asked about safety for their teenage sons, while older viewers were curious about cognitive and muscle-preservation benefits. Women worried about looking "bulky".
- What happens if I stop taking it? Viewers are concerned they will lose their gains or experience negative side effects after stopping creatine.
- Do I have to do a loading phase? The concept of loading is confusing. Viewers want to know if it's necessary, what the pros and cons are, and how to do it properly if they choose to.
Hot Spots: What Sparked the Most Debate
- RP: Clear myth-busting vs. oversimplifying creatinine
- Nippard: Finasteride controversy
- ATHLEAN-X: Skits polarizing viewers
- Ethier: Timeline too generic
- Ekberg: Mislabeling creatinine
- Myprotein: Too shallow, brand bias concerns
Feedback & Complaints
- Add metric units
- Clarify creatine vs. creatinine
- More detail on side effects (GI issues, bloating, hair shedding)
- Shorter intros, less fluff
Compliments
- Clear explanations
- Evidence-based content
- Myth-busting
- Honest, no-hype tone
Bottom Line: Which Creatine Video Should You Watch?
- Best overall: Renaissance Periodization
- Best science deep-dive: Jeff Nippard (but ignore the sponsor)
- Most entertaining myth-busting: ATHLEAN-X
Methodology & Limitations
- Scope: Six top creatine videos; 5,229 highly engaged comments analyzed (sample size varies by video).
- Method: Shono AI comment analysis (sentiment %, emotions, comment types, engagement) plus manual content review; rankings reflect clarity, accuracy, audience resonance, and actionability.
- Limitations: Samples do not represent all comments; automated analysis has nuance limits; snapshot in time based on available reports; not medical advice.
FAQs
- Is creatine safe for kidneys? Yes, for healthy people; inform your doctor before blood tests.
- Will creatine make me bald? Evidence is weak; one small study linked it to higher DHT, not actual hair loss.
- How much should I take daily? 3–5 g for most, up to 10 g if very heavy.
- Do I need to load? No; daily use saturates muscles in 3–4 weeks.
- Can women or teens use creatine? Safe when healthy, but consult a clinician for age or condition-specific guidance.
