Herpes is a viral infection characterized by painful blisters and sores around the mouth, in the case of oral herpes, or around the buttocks and genitals, in the case of genital herpes. According to MedlinePlus, some people with herpes experience no symptoms at all, while others experience several outbreaks per year, especially in the first few years after contracting the virus. Creatine is a dietary supplement associated with a reduction in genital herpes outbreaks.
Significance
In the September 2001 edition of "Medical Hypotheses," general practitioner S.R. Ness, M.D. and nutritionist Mark F. McCarty, Ph.D. suggest a link between creatine supplements and a reduction in genital herpes outbreaks. Dr. Ness describes his own experience serving as a primary care provider for 8 to 10 marines who stopped attending follow-up appointments for the treatment of genital herpes after they started to use the dietary supplement, creatine. Drs. Ness and McCarty concede that no studies have scientifically tested the association between creatine use and herpes and conclude their report with a recommendation for pilot studies. As of October 2010, the National Library of Medicine lists none.
Function
In support of their hypothesis, Drs. Ness and McCarty pointed to an April 1994 study by pharmaceutical researcher J.W. Lillie, PhD and colleagues published in the journal "Antiviral Research" on a similarly named compound, cyclocreatine. In that study, cyclocreatine checked the growth of the herpes virus in test tubes. However, as Drs. Ness and McCrary acknowledge, no studies demonstrate that creatine has the same effect as cyclocreatine.
Sources
Creatine occurs naturally in animal-based foods such as meat, poultry and fish. According to MDConsult.com, the kidney, liver and pancreas can synthesize creatine from precursors found in many foods, including plant-based foods. People can also purchase pure creatine in the form of dietary supplements. The patients described by Drs. Ness and McCrary used creatine supplements in doses between 3 and 5 g, repeated up to four times per day.
Safety
Side effects of creatine supplements include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and muscle cramping. Since creatine bonds to water in the body, MedlinePlus recommends that those who take creatine supplements consume at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water each day, for a total of 64 oz. The safety of creatine has not been established in pregnant women and people with heart, liver or kidney disease, or conditions that increase the risk of kidney disease, such as diabetes. These people should not take creatine except as directed by a doctor. Consuming creatine with other supplements, such as caffeine or ephedrine, may lead to stroke. No evidence suggests that herpes influences the safety of creatine.
Considerations
Drs. Ness and McCarty describe anecdotal evidence for the effects of creatine on genital herpes. No scientifically rigorous studies confirm this effect on genital or oral herpes. Creatine does not replace conventional medical treatments for herpes or any other condition. As with any dietary supplement, people who use creatine should share this information with their health care providers.
References
- "Medical Hypotheses"; Does Supplemental Creatine Prevent Herpes Recurrences?; S.R. Ness, M.D. and Mark F. McCarty, Ph.D.; September 2001
- "Antiviral Research"; Cyclocreatine Inhibits Replication of Human Herpes Virus; J.W. Lillie, Ph.D. et al.; April 1994
- MedlinePlus: Creatine
