Creatine in Health and Disease

Creatine plays a critical role in cellular metabolism, particularly during metabolically stressed states. Increasing creatine availability in tissue may enhance cellular metabolism and thereby lessen the severity of injury and/or disease conditions, particularly when oxygen availability is compromised. Creatine supplementation is one of the most studied and effective ergogenic aids for athletes. Researchers have been investigating the potential therapeutic role of creatine supplementation on health-related conditions such as diabetes, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, cancer, rehabilitation, cognition, and cardiovascular health, among others. As performance-related studies assessed health and safety markers, evidence began to accumulate that creatine supplementation may also offer some health and/or therapeutic benefits as we age. In this regard, creatine supplementation has been reported to help lower cholesterol, triglycerides and/or manage blood lipid levels.

• 1
  Creatine supplementation can increase cellular energy availability and support general health, fitness, and well-being throughout the lifespan.
• 2
  Creatine supplementation, particularly with resistance training, can promote gains in strength and help maintain or increase muscle mass in older individuals. Additionally, creatine supplementation during energy-restriction-induced weight loss may be an effective way to preserve muscle while dieting and thereby help manage adult-onset obesity.
• 3
  Long-term, high-dose creatine supplementation in individuals with creatine synthesis deficiencies can increase brain creatine and PCr levels and may reduce the severity of deficits associated with these disorders.