Creatine is a compound made in your body from the amino acids arginine, methionine and glycine. Its two main functions are to create energy in the form of ATP and boost muscle protein synthesis. Although creatine supplementation is popular among athletes, it shows promise in helping diabetics control blood glucose levels. However, further research is needed.
Diabetes
The two main types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. In type 1 diabetes, your body doesn't produce the hormone insulin, which is needed to regulate blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or your cells reject insulin effects. Both types lead to high blood glucose levels, which can cause inflammation of your blood vessels, increasing your risk for other health problems.
HbA1c Levels
Creatine combined with exercise might improve glucose levels in type 2 diabetics, according to a study published in the May 2011 issue of the journal "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise." Patients were assigned 5 g of creatine or a placebo while enrolled in a weight training program for 12 weeks. Researchers observed that those in the creatine group experienced decreases in HbA1c levels, which is used to measure blood sugar levels over a 2 to 3 month period, compared with those who consumed a placebo.
Mechanism
The study published in the "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise" journal in May 2011 suggested that one of the potential mechanisms by which creatine lowers blood glucose levels is by increasing GLUT-4 transporters in cells. Increasing glucose transporters, especially GLUT-4, boosts cells uptake of glucose, thereby lowering blood sugar levels, according to research reported in the April 2007 issue of "Cell Metabolism." Further research is necessary to determine creatine's ability to affect GLUT-4 transporters.
Safety
Concerns have been raised regarding creatine's impact on kidney function. Scientists at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil assigned type 2 diabetics creatine or a placebo for 12 weeks. They noted that creatine supplementation had no adverse effects on kidney function, according to findings reported in the May 2011 issue of the "European Journal of Applied Physiology."
References
- MayoClinic.com; Diabetes; March 2011
- "Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise"; Creatine in Type 2 Diabetes; a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial; B. Gualano et al.; May 2011
- "Cell Metabolism"; The GLUT4 Glucose Transporter; April 2007
- "European Journal of Applied Physiology"; Creatine Supplementation Does Not Impair Kidney Function in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trail; B. Gualano et al.; May 2011
