Abstract: A hand pump includes a body member having lower and upper ends, a cavity formed between the ends and an inlet opening that fluidly connects the cavity with a fluid reservoir. A piston assembly is slidably mounted in the cavity and includes a plunger tube slidably extending through a hole in the body member and a piston secured against axial movement on the plunger tube. The plunger tube has an inlet end disposed within the cavity and an outlet end disposed at the upper end of the plunger tube outside the cavity. A first gravity-operated check valve disposed in the cavity below the piston assembly blocks the inlet openings. When the check valve is closed, fluid cannot flow between the cavity and the reservoir. However, when the first check valve is open, fluid can flow between the reservoir and the cavity. A second gravity-operated check valve is associated with the outlet end of the plunger tube. When the second check valve is open, fluid can be discharged from the cavity through the plunger tube.

Abstract: A creatine supplement is described which contains a combination of creatine and propylene glycol. The supplement preferably contains from about 25-50% creatine and from about 50-75% propylene glycol. The propylene glycol not only makes the supplement more bioavailable than conventional creatine supplements, but also decreases the incidence of side effects.