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Creatine Supplementation and Brain Health.
Hamilton Roschel1, Bruno Gualano1,2, Sergej M. Ostojic3
1Applied Physiology & Nutrition Research Group, Rheumatology Division, School of Physical Education and Sport, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-903, Brazil.
Nutrients
|February 13, 2021
Summary
Creatine supplementation shows promise for enhancing brain health and cognitive function, particularly in individuals with brain creatine deficits. Further research is needed to determine optimal protocols and confirm cognitive benefits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional Science
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Creatine is well-established for muscle benefits.
- Emerging research suggests creatine's positive impact on brain health, including cognitive processing and trauma recovery.
- Brain creatine levels can be affected by acute stressors and chronic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current human research on creatine supplementation and brain health.
- To highlight potential cognitive benefits in specific conditions.
- To identify gaps in current research.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing human studies on creatine supplementation and brain health.
- Analysis of conditions associated with brain creatine deficits.
- Assessment of cognitive outcomes in relevant studies.
Main Results:
- Creatine supplementation may improve cognitive processing, especially in states of brain creatine deficiency.
- Conditions like aging, traumatic brain injury, and depression may benefit from creatine.
- Optimal supplementation strategies for brain creatine elevation are not yet defined.
Conclusions:
- Creatine supplementation holds potential for improving brain health and cognitive function.
- Further studies are warranted to establish optimal protocols and confirm cognitive benefits.
- Research is needed on studies measuring both brain creatine and cognitive function simultaneously.
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