Creatine is a nitrogen-containing compound that exists naturally in the body. It is also sold as a supplement, typically in a powder form. Supplementation may provide you with health benefits. However, talk to your doctor before taking creatine to prevent, treat or cure any medical condition.
Energy Production
Creatine is involved with energy production. It helps ATP to efficiently regenerate, according to an article published in July 2008 in the "Brain Research Bulletin." ATP is a form of energy that can be used in cells throughout the body. It is especially important for neurons, or cells within the central nervous system, due to the high energy requirement there.
Memory
Creatine supplementation may help your memory if you do not eat meat. In a group of young female adult vegetarians, creatine led to improvements in memory, in a study published in 2011 in the "British Journal of Nutrition." Supplementation included 20 g of creatine over the course of five days.
Cerebral Ischemia
Cerebral ischemia is a condition in which there is an inefficient supply of oxygen to meet the demands of the brain. This condition can lead to stroke, heart attack and death. Creatine supplementation may help protect your brain from ischemia, according to preliminary evidence found from animal research. In a study published in June 2004 in the "The Journal of Neuroscience," creatine was found to protect against neuronal loss in mice exposed to cerebral ischemia in the lab. The researchers state that creatine can be considered as a supplement for people with a high risk for getting a stroke.
Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or FALS, is a rare condition in which muscles wear away and progress to a complete loss of function. It is also often called Lou Gehrig's disease after the famous New York Yankees baseball player who was diagnosed with the it. Creatine may help improve this condition, according to findings based on animal research. In mice with the FALS gene, creatine supplementation led to replenishment of creatine in brain areas that were previously deficient, according to a study published in December 2009 in the "European Journal of Neuroscience." It also led to weight increases, indicating protection from muscle loss.
References
- "Brain Research Bulletin"; Functions and Effects of Creatine in the Central Nervous System; Robert H. Andres et al.; July 2008
- "British Journal of Nutrition"; The Influence of Creatine Supplementation on the Cognitive Functioning of Vegetarians and Omnivores; David Benton and Rachel Donohoe; 2011
- "The Journal of Neuroscience"; Prophylactic Creatine Administration Mediates Neuroprotection in Cerebral Ischemia in Mice; Shan Zhu et al.; June 2004
- "European Journal of Neuroscience"; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Regional Brain Metabolite Markers in FALS Mice and the Effects of Dietary Creatine Supplementation; Ji-Kyung Choi et al.; December 2009
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