The potential of creatine monohydrate supplementation in the management of osteosarcopenia

Osteosarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by reductions in bone mineral, muscle/lean mass, strength and functional ability which increases the risk of falls, fractures, frailty and premature mortality. One main contributing factor to osteosarcopenia is malnutrition. The purpose was to review recent evidence of creatine monohydrate (CrM) supplementation in older adults and to discuss the potential to manage osteosarcopenia.

Accumulating research shows that CrM supplementation, primarily when combined with exercise training, has the potential to serve as a viable intervention in the management of osteosarcopenia. Collectively, CrM supplementation during exercise training in older adults led to greater improvements in whole-body lean mass, lower-limb muscle density and bone geometry and muscle strength (primarily upper-body) compared to exercise training alone. However, no study has investigated the effects of CrM, with and without exercise training, in older adults with osteosarcopenia.

Given the positive findings of CrM on measures of muscle and bone in healthy older adults, there is potential for CrM to be added as an adjunct to exercise training in the management of osteosarcopenia. However, randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of this nutrient in this clinical population.